IIRSM approves Gate Safe’s automated gate safety training course

The global membership organisation for risk and safety professionals, the IIRSM operates in upwards of 90 countries, providing support to 8,000-plus members wholly committed to identifying and managing risk with confidence.

As a fellow charity focused on improving standards of safety, the IIRSM has been an official opinion former supporter of Gate Safe for over ten years now. Gate Safe’s decision to apply for IIRSM course approval represents a natural progression of the two charities’ working relationship.

The Gate Safe training course, which is delivered both online and in the face-to-face format, has been running since 2012, subsequently resulting in over 4,200 trained installers being listed on the Gate Safe register (trained installers can be found by accessing the Gate Safe website at https://www.gate-safe.org/find-installers/). Given that online instruction is available, course delivery isn’t restricted solely to the UK.

Independent endorsement

Commenting on the progression to IIRSM approval, Gate Safe chair and founder Richard Jackson OBE explained “Gate Safe has always sought out independent endorsement of the training on offer in order to underpin the credibility and professionalism of the course and affirm its adherence to key national training requirements.”

Jackson continued: “Aligning the training more closely with the IIRSM is an obvious choice since Gate Safe has always advocated a risk assessment-centred approach to gate safety, which is consistent with IIRSM’s ethos for promoting risk and safety management. Both charities share a desire to deliver guidance in plain terms without overcomplicating the messaging with excessive technical jargon. We’re now looking forward to this new chapter of working with the IIRSM to raise awareness of the importance of automated gate safety training.”

Sue Bull, professional development specialist at the IIRSM, noted: “The IIRSM is thrilled to approve the Gate Safe training course. The course demonstrates an excellent level of technical and practical training from industry experts. It’s aligned strongly with the IIRSM’s Risk Management and Leadership Competency Framework by virtue of focusing on risk assessments to identify and mitigate hazards, while prioritising safety throughout.”

*IIRSM approved Gate Safe training is available to book online at www.gate-safe.org/training

**Additional detail concerning the IIRSM can be accessed at www.iirsm.org

Society of Operations Engineers joins Gate Safe 

The Society of Operations Engineers (SOE) has recently joined Gate Safe’s already impressive list of official supporters, which includes the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, Secured by Design, the Electrical Contractors’ Association, SAFed, Handsam, the National Alliance of School Premises Management, Electrical Safety First, the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme, the aforementioned IIRSM, IOSH and Propertymark.

As one of the leading professional institutions for engineers whose members inspect, maintain and manage equipment and machinery, the SOE represents a natural opinion former body to align itself with Gate Safe.

The SOE operates with a clear emphasis on implementing smarter ways of working and improving maintenance and inspection processes, with its members spanning a broad set of industries and technical disciplines – including automated gates and barriers – and continually prioritising the need for safety-focused engineering.

Gate Safe delivered a webinar for SOE members at the beginning of the year and is currently working on a co-branded Inspection Guide to assist engineers in understanding the safety requirements for an automated gate or barrier installation and when to recognise the need to reach out for specialist input.

Raising awareness

Richard Jackson OBE observed: “Our mission has always been to raise awareness of the necessary protocols to ensure safe and compliant automated gate installations across a wide audiences, including engineers. Establishing the new relationship with the SOE provides us with access to more engineers actively working in the field who are tasked with inspecting or maintaining powered gates. Our role is to share our knowledge in order to raise the standard of safety and also offer guidance and support to help engineers appreciate the risks and how to mitigate them.”

Emma Thompson MSOE, CEO of the SOE, responded: “Safety is at the very heart of good engineering practice. We’re proud to support Gate Safe on its mission to improve awareness and standards across the sector.”

Thompson added: “At the SOE, we are wholly committed to promoting professional standards, competence and Best Practice in engineering operations. By working together, we can help to equip engineers with the knowledge and guidance they need to identify risks, support safe installations and contribute to a safer environment for everyone.”