A commercial door is more than just an entryway—it’s a crucial part of workplace safety. When malfunctioning or lacking proper safety features, it can cause serious injuries. OSHA reports thousands of door-related workplace accidents yearly, many of which could be avoided with the right precautions.
Modern commercial doors now come with advanced safety features like motion sensors and automatic reversal systems to prevent accidents. Whether in warehouses, offices, or retail spaces, investing in these features not only protects employees but also prevents costly downtime and liability issues.
In this blog, we’ll break down common commercial door safety risks and explore how the latest technology can keep your business accident-free.
Common Safety Risks with Commercial Doors
A commercial door may seem like a simple part of your building, but if it lacks proper safety features, it can quickly become a major workplace hazard. From entrapment risks to power failures, understanding these dangers is the first step in preventing costly accidents. Here are some of the most common safety risks businesses should be aware of:
Entrapment Hazards – When Doors Close on People or Equipment
Heavy commercial doors, especially rolling steel and industrial overhead doors, can unexpectedly close on workers, customers, or machinery. This is particularly dangerous in warehouses and loading docks, where large shipments and forklifts are constantly moving. Without motion sensors or automatic reversal systems, a closing door can trap a person, leading to severe injuries or property damage.
Blind Spot Accidents – The Danger of Limited Visibility
Some commercial doors, like sectional overhead doors or high-speed roll-up doors, create blind spots, making it difficult for workers to see what’s on the other side. This can lead to collisions when employees walk through doorways without realizing a forklift, another worker, or equipment is in motion. Businesses without proper motion detection systems may see an increase in workplace accidents due to these visibility issues.
Manual Door Failures – A Risk from Wear and Tear
Not all commercial doors are automatic. Many businesses still rely on manual doors, which can become hazardous when parts wear out. Springs can snap, tracks can bend, and doors can unexpectedly slam shut, putting employees at risk of serious injury. Routine maintenance is essential to prevent these failures, yet many businesses overlook this simple safety measure until an accident happens.
Power Outages & Emergency Situations – When Automatic Doors Stop Working
Automatic commercial doors rely on electricity, which means a sudden power outage can leave them stuck in place. If a facility doesn’t have manual overrides or battery backups, employees and customers could be locked in or out during an emergency. In high-security areas, malfunctioning doors can also become a safety risk if they prevent people from evacuating during a fire or other emergency.
Each of these risks can be significantly reduced with the right safety features and regular maintenance. In the next section, we’ll explore the key safety technologies that can help prevent accidents and keep your business compliant with workplace safety regulations.
Key Commercial Door Safety Features
To prevent workplace accidents and ensure a safe environment, businesses must invest in commercial door safety features. Modern doors come equipped with advanced technologies designed to protect employees, customers, and equipment. Here are the most important safety features every commercial door should have:
Motion & Presence Sensors – Detecting Movement to Prevent Injuries
Motion sensors are essential for automatic commercial doors, ensuring that the door only opens or closes when it’s safe. These sensors detect movement near the door and pause operation if a person or object is in the way. Presence sensors, often used in warehouses and retail spaces, continuously monitor the area around the door to prevent unexpected closures.
✅ Best for: Warehouses, hospitals, retail stores, and office buildings
🔧 How it helps: Reduces the risk of collisions and entrapment injuries
Photo Eye Sensors – Stopping Doors from Closing on People or Equipment
Photo eye sensors use infrared beams to detect if an object is in the door’s path. If the beam is broken, the commercial door automatically stops or reverses. This is especially important for garage-style doors, rolling steel doors, and industrial overhead doors, where large, heavy doors could cause serious injury if they close unexpectedly.
✅ Best for: Warehouses, manufacturing plants, and distribution centers
🔧 How it helps: Prevents doors from closing on forklifts, shipments, and employees
Monitored Entrapment Protection – Pressure-Sensitive Edges for Extra Safety
Pressure-sensitive edges, also known as safety edges, provide an additional layer of protection for commercial doors. If the door makes contact with a person or object, the system immediately stops and reverses. This feature is especially useful in high-traffic areas where employees frequently pass through doorways.
✅ Best for: High-traffic commercial buildings and industrial sites
🔧 How it helps: Ensures the door does not cause injury if it encounters an obstruction
Automatic Reversal Mechanisms – A Must for Safe Operation
Many modern commercial doors are equipped with automatic reversal systems. If an obstruction is detected while the door is closing, it immediately reverses direction to prevent injury or damage. This is a standard feature in most high-speed and sectional doors but should be tested regularly to ensure proper function.
✅ Best for: Auto repair shops, parking garages, and warehouses
🔧 How it helps: Prevents crushing injuries and equipment damage
Manual Override Systems – Keeping Doors Functional in Power Outages
Power failures can cause automatic commercial doors to stop working, which can be a major issue in an emergency. A manual override system allows employees to operate the door manually when needed, ensuring that entryways remain accessible even when power is lost.
✅ Best for: Emergency exits, data centers, and security-sensitive buildings
🔧 How it helps: Ensures safe access during blackouts or emergency situations
Investing in Safety Pays Off
These commercial door safety features not only prevent workplace injuries but also protect businesses from costly liability claims. By upgrading to doors with modern safety technology, companies can improve workflow efficiency, reduce risks, and create a safer environment for everyone.
In the next section, we’ll cover how businesses can maintain their commercial door safety features to ensure long-term protection.
How to Maintain Commercial Door Safety Features
Investing in safety features for your commercial door is only half the battle—regular maintenance is essential to keep these systems working properly. Without routine inspections and upkeep, even the best safety mechanisms can fail, putting employees and equipment at risk. Here’s how businesses can maintain their commercial doors to ensure long-term safety and reliability.
Conduct Regular Inspections & Testing
Routine inspections are critical for identifying wear and tear before it leads to an accident. Sensors, automatic reversal systems, and manual overrides should be tested frequently to ensure they function properly.
✅ Best Practices:
- Check motion and photo eye sensors monthly to verify they stop the door when obstructed.
- Inspect door tracks, springs, and cables for signs of damage or misalignment.
- Test the manual override system to ensure doors can be opened during a power outage.
✅ How Often? Monthly for high-traffic commercial doors, quarterly for lower-use doors.
Train Employees on Proper Door Use
Even the most advanced commercial door safety features won’t help if employees don’t know how to use them correctly. Training staff on proper operation, emergency protocols, and recognizing signs of door malfunctions can prevent accidents.
✅ Key Training Topics:
- How to safely operate automatic and manual commercial doors.
- Recognizing warning signs like slow response times or unusual noises.
- What to do if a safety feature (like a sensor or reversal mechanism) fails.
✅ How Often? Include safety training during employee onboarding and provide refresher courses annually.
Schedule Preventative Maintenance with a Professional
While routine in-house inspections are important, a professional commercial door technician should inspect doors at least once a year. They can detect issues that might not be obvious, such as electrical problems with sensors or hidden structural weaknesses.
✅ What a Technician Will Check:
- Proper alignment and tension of door springs and tracks.
- Functionality of all safety sensors and reversal mechanisms.
- Wear and tear on rollers, cables, and other moving parts.
✅ How Often? Annually for standard commercial doors, semi-annually for high-use industrial doors.
Upgrade Outdated Safety Features
If your commercial door has been in service for years, its safety technology may be outdated. Newer models come with enhanced motion detection, better energy efficiency, and improved durability. Upgrading to modern safety features can reduce liability risks and improve overall workplace security.
✅ Signs It’s Time for an Upgrade:
- Sensors frequently fail or require recalibration.
- The door operates slowly or inconsistently.
- The manufacturer no longer supports replacement parts.
✅ How Often? Consider upgrading safety features every 5–10 years, or as industry standards evolve.
Prioritize Safety for Long-Term Success
A well-maintained commercial door is a safe door. By conducting regular inspections, training employees, scheduling professional maintenance, and upgrading outdated features, businesses can minimize workplace accidents and keep operations running smoothly.
In the final section, we’ll recap why investing in commercial door safety is crucial and how businesses can take action today.
Conclusion: Prioritize Commercial Door Safety for a Safer Workplace
A well-functioning commercial door is more than just an entry or exit—it’s a crucial part of workplace safety. Without proper safety features and regular maintenance, these doors can become serious hazards, leading to costly accidents, downtime, and even legal liability.
By investing in motion sensors, photo eye detection, automatic reversal mechanisms, and manual override systems, businesses can drastically reduce the risk of workplace injuries. Regular inspections, employee training, and scheduled professional maintenance ensure that these safety features continue working as intended.
If your commercial doors aren’t equipped with the latest safety technology or haven’t been serviced recently, now is the time to take action. Upgrading to modern safety features can protect your employees, improve efficiency, and keep your business compliant with workplace safety regulations.
Get a Commercial Door Safety Inspection Today
At Calder Door & Specialty Co., we specialize in installing and maintaining commercial doors that meet the highest safety standards. Contact us today for a professional inspection or to upgrade your doors with the latest safety technology. Your workplace safety starts with the right doors—let’s make sure yours are up to the task.
