WorkSafe has issued a safety alert around automated gates after a child was nearly crushed to death at the Auckland Botanic Gardens in 2016.
A 7-year-old boy suffered serious injuries when he was trapped between a rock wall and the heavy gate but has since fully recovered.
The workplace regulator suggested businesses make safety changes that would cost around $2150 to install but prevent similar incidents from occurring.
The child became stuck after the gate started to open when a car activated it via sensor loops under the tar seal.
![Child crushed represented by road cone. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/2Y4JONEBBEY4K2QIU6NYI6HGC4.jpg?auth=28a0b0e6e6ffaea6f34868ec3452f9b85dc90b54336ad2ccca8b0bacd98e5fe6&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)