Total Fence Inc. (www.TotalFenceInc.ca), a leader in residential, industrial, and commercial fence and deck installation in the Greater Toronto Area, is responding to the story of a Toronto resident being injured by plastic fencing.
Toronto resident Lee Perenack recently suffered lacerations on her arm as a result of plastic fencing used to surround a condo construction project. Describing it as “a series of barbs on a fishing hook,” the top of the fence leaned into the sidewalk and had been cut along the top, creating sharp edges. (Source: Lakey, J., “Plastic fence in front of condo project cuts like a knife: Fixer,” Toronto Star, June 22, 2015; http://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/06/22/plastic-fence-in-front-of-condo-project-cuts-like-a-knife-fixer.html.)
“It’s an unexpected risk, but not one that’s entirely unforeseeable,” says Tony Defeo, owner of Total Fence Inc. “Vinyl and plastic are tough materials and have to be cut with a saw, so a jagged surface isn’t uncommon.”
Perenack sent photos of her injury to The Toronto Star, wanting to inform others so they could avoid similar injuries. The newspaper later inquired with Toronto’s right-of-way management division regarding the fence, but has yet to hear back as of this writing.
Defeo explains that it is important that those using security fencing, whether at home or on a development project, take steps to protect anyone who might brush against it. Recommended methods include sanding the top of the fence or putting rubber corners on sharp edges. For the many developments along sidewalks, the fence should ideally be far enough from the walkway to enable pedestrians to pass without coming too close.
“Stability of the fence is also important. A security fence shouldn’t be set up so that it ‘droops’ or leans over the sidewalk,” Defeo concludes. “That’s an accident waiting to happen, as the Star pointed out.”
Total Fence Inc. is a leader in residential, industrial, security, and commercial fence and deck installation in the Greater Toronto Area. For more information, visit www.TotalFenceInc.ca.