Guide to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application)

Guide to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application)
• A sensitive edge or other suitable detector and associated trip device
which is designed to stop, or stop and reverse, the motion of the door when obstructed
• Devices which limit the closing force to ensure that it is insufficient to cause injury if a
person is trapped
• An operating control which must be held in the operating position (hold to run) during the
whole of the closing motion. This will only be suitable where the risk of injury is low and
the speed of closure is slow. This type of control, when released, should cause the door to
stop or reopen immediately and should be positioned so that the operator has a clear view of
the door throughout its movement.
Power-operated doors and gates should have a readily identifiable and accessible control switch or
device so that they can be stopped quickly in an emergency.
Employers need to determine if a mechanical door/gate is, or is likely to be, used as an emergency exit.
If it is not designed to open automatically in the case of power failure then the means or tools
necessary to open it manually must be readily available. In the event of the power supply being
restored, there should be no danger to persons using tools to open a door.
Practice in opening such doors should form part of the programme for fire or emergency evacuation
drills.
Regulation 12: Emergency routes and exits
12. Without prejudice to section 11 of the Act, the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 (No. 30 of 1981
and No.15 of 2003) and other relevant legislation, an employer shall ensure that—
(a) emergency routes to emergency exits and the exits themselves are kept clear at all times
and lead as directly as possible to the open air or to a safe area,
(b) in the event of danger, it is possible for employees to evacuate all workstations quickly
and as safely as possible,
(c) the number, distribution and dimensions of the emergency routes and exits are adequate
for the use, equipment and dimensions of the place of work and the maximum number of
persons that may be present,
(d) emergency exit doors open outwards,
(e) any sliding or revolving doors that are fitted are not used, or intended to be used, as
emergency exits,
(f) emergency doors and gates are not so locked or fastened that they cannot be easily and
immediately opened by any person who may need to use them in an emergency
(g) specific emergency routes and exits are indicated by signs in accordance with Part 7,
Chapter 1 and such signs are placed at appropriate points and are adequately durable,
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