ASSOCIATIONS & TRAINING
10 YEARS OF SUPPORT FOR THE AUTOMATED GATE SECTOR , FROM DHF
DHF ( Door & Hardware Federation ) is applauding its decade of support for the automated gate and traffic barrier sector . The pro-active Tamworth-based trade association continues to be a vocal advocate for raising industry standards . Through its key initiatives such as training and collaboration , and as a result of its tireless efforts in advancing safety across all of the sectors it serves , significant improvements have been seen industry-wide . This is noticeable in the improved quality of gate installations and installer knowledge across the UK .
» “ WE ARE NOT ONLY CELEBRATING 10 years of putting our weight behind the industry , but the many positive and considerable milestones that have been achieved along the way ,” says DHF ’ s Head of Commercial Operations , Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens . “ For example , ’ setting the standard ’ by offering Ofqualregulated training , and in so doing , becoming the UK ’ s very first organisation to offer an official qualification for the automated gate sector that complements the industry NVQ , has been a significant highlight for the federation . The formal qualification is recognised by employers and is vital in demonstrating a competent workforce . This has been a genuine ‘ game changer ’ across the industry .
“ In addition , in 2016 we launched the first version of the DHF TS 011 series ; our Code of Practice for the Design , Manufacture , Installation and Maintenance of Powered Gates and Traffic Barriers , provides a framework to ensure a gate is safe and therefore complies with the law . We successfully condensed more than 250 pages of legislation and standards into just 17-pages of the 44-page document , in collaboration with DHF members and with input from certification bodies . This is currently under review and a 2021 edition will be launching in the summer . This serves as a further highlight for the sector .”
With gate safety very much in mind , DHF will once again be demonstrating its support for Fencex when the event is held later this year , its 10th anniversary . The exhibition , which was due to take place in October 2020 but was cancelled because of ‘ covid ’, is staged every two years and will be taking place on 13th October at the Warwick Suite at NAEC Stoneleigh near Coventry .
Fencex is the only UK exhibition dedicated to perimeter security , fencing and access control and attracts close to 400 delegates , bi-annually ; this year , it will be hosting companies from the UK , Europe , China and America . DHF has been a long-standing supporter of Fencex and is the premier sponsor for 2021 .
DHF launched their own national gate safety campaign , ‘ Gate Safety Week ’ ( later , Gate Safety Month ) in 2012 , a cause that the trade association continues to support . DHF and ‘ Gate Safety Week ’ rapidly became synonymous with one another and was actively supported by some of the most influential organisations in the security , enforcement , inspection , education and safety sectors , with likes of Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents ( RoSPA ) and Health and Safety Executive ( HSE ) choosing to endorse its objectives .
“ Every day is about gate safety at DHF and we consider it our responsibility to inform and educate a wider audience on the importance of safe and compliant gates and the standards affecting the safety of installations , maintenance and repair on an on-going basis ,” says Patricia . “ We will never stop lobbying for safer standards surrounding powered gates .”
The challenges of the past year have been more than met by DHF , with training , collaboration and safety a continuing top priority .
“ We remained focused on providing our members – and the wider industry - with much-needed information through the covid pandemic , ensuring that those at a distance could continue to learn by way of our Distance Learning programme ( DLP ),” says Patricia .
Martin Keelagher , Chair of the DHF Automated Gate Group commented :
“ DHF is leading the way in raising awareness of the safety issues involved in the correct installation of automated gates and traffic barriers , to protect users and the general public .
“ Everyone is looking forward to seeing Fencex return this year after a short hiatus , and DHF welcomes visitors to its stand in October . The Technical & Training Team will also feature in the learning programme of Fencex , which is further testament to DHF ’ s commitment to safety and education .”
DHF will be on stand 32 at Fencex 2021 . For further information about DHF ’ s training provision , please visit : https :// www . dhfonline . org . uk / training . htm www . dhfonline . org . uk
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JUL / AUG 2021
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