The Health & Safety Executives (HSE) says certain motorised display screen wall mounts intended for use in schools and educational establishments are a serious risk of injury.
Specifically, the HSE says the use of the motorised height adjustment controls by unauthorised and untrained persons (including children and other vulnerable persons) can lead to the equipment hitting objects and or becoming unstable.
There is also a risk of crushing between the bottom edge of the display screen (or its mounting frame) and any fixed object.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has issued a safety report on GOV.UK for the product Conen Motorised Display Wall Mount/SCETAW. This safety notice is for users, installers and procurers in education settings, as well as manufacturers and suppliers, of this, or similar, motorised height adjustable display mounts.
These stands or mounts include a motorised height adjustable riser column fixed to the floor or wall (or both), with an attached frame to which a display screen is mounted. The weight of the combined unit including the riser column, frame and screen can be significant, up to 150kg. In some designs the riser column motors are also capable of applying significant force.
HSE says it is aware of incidents involving this type of equipment falling forward resulting in significant impact and crushing injury to young children.
Risk of serious crushing or impact injury to children can arise if a fixed riser column detaches from the wall or floor and falls forward. Crushing can also happen between the bottom edge of the display screen (or its mounting frame) and any fixed object, like furniture, in the path of the motorised movement.
Risks are more likely when:
- children can access the controls
- stability relies on the floor and, or wall fixings with the centre of gravity of the combined riser column, mounting frame and display screen leaning forward
- the means of fixing to the wall or floor are unsuitable to support the unit in normal use
- floor and wall fixings and other mounting components are damaged or overloaded – this can occur when the column motor applies significant force and there are no sensors or devices installed to limit power or detect a collision
- there are no sensors or devices installed to limit power, or detect a collision and reverse the motor (a risk of crushing between the bottom edge of the screen and fixed objects can also arise)
Overturning may also occur with mobile trolley mounted motorised height adjustable units.
If you are specifying or purchasing motorised height adjustable display screen mounts for use in education settings, the HSE advises you should ensure that equipment will be appropriate for use in the setting and is, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe. Further guidance on buying new machinery is available from Buying new machinery on the HSE website.
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