Enhancing Workplace Safety with Advanced Barrier Rail Systems
Keep employees safe and prevent expensive accidents.
Every business with a heavy forklift and pedestrian operations should take protection seriously.
Here’s the cold, hard truth…
According to OSHA, 70% of all forklift related accidents could be avoided using basic safety measures.
So those injuries and fatalities don’t need to happen.
The good news? There is an effective solution that has been time-tested and proven to protect your employees, equipment and bottom line. Barrier rails and guards help create a clear physical separation between dangerous areas and vulnerable places.
Businesses and facilities across a wide range of industries have successfully leveraged barrier rail systems in their safety programs.
In This Guide, We Cover:
- The importance of Barrier Rails for Safety
- Different Types of Barrier Rails Systems
- The Key Benefits of Barrier Guards
- How to Select the Right System
The Importance Of Barrier Rails For Safety
Workplace accidents are bad for business. They’re costly. They’re dangerous. And, most importantly, 90% of them are entirely avoidable.
Consider the following fact…
Forklifts cause an average of 67 work-related deaths annually. Add to that the thousands of serious injuries and it’s easy to see why this is a critical problem for facilities across all industries.
The need for robust and proactive protection systems is clear. Barrier rails and guards create a physical barrier to protect employees. They separate walkways from forklift travel lanes. Protect equipment from collisions. Keep building columns and rack structures from damage.
This is what you need to understand…
Painted floor lines are not enough. Visual indicators only get you so far. Forklift operators make mistakes. Things go wrong. Paint lines will not stop an out of control forklift.
But a well-designed and correctly-installed barrier rail system will.
Businesses that are serious about taking their safety efforts to the next level should consider KABTech forklift barrier rails appropriate for their facility and forklift traffic patterns.
Different Types Of Barrier Rails Systems
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to selecting and installing the right barrier rail systems for your facility. Your specific application will drive which option makes the most sense.
Steel Guardrails
Steel has long been the industry standard for industrial safety barrier systems. The old workhorse. It’s heavy-duty. Strong. Reliable. Steel works very well for high-impact areas where ultimate protection is critical.
The downside to steel is that it’s prone to bending or deforming when it takes a hard hit. Floor anchors can be damaged. Over time steel barrier systems require ongoing maintenance like repainting.
Polymer Barrier Systems
An innovative new technology that is quickly becoming popular in warehousing and manufacturing. Polymer barriers flex when hit and spring right back into shape.
Floor damage and anchor destruction are kept to a minimum.
Maintenance for polymer systems is significantly lower than for steel guardrails. No need to repaint and fix posts after every collision. Polymer rails are simply back to work again.
Bollard Systems
Excellent for protection in key areas like building columns, electrical panels, and machinery. Bollards are individual posts that absorb the impact from forklifts or pedestrians.
They are great in situations where full guardrail systems are impractical due to space or access issues.
Modular Rail Systems
Systems that are highly modular in nature. Components can be easily reconfigured and moved if your facility changes layouts or operational needs shift. Easy to install with quick turnaround times.
Key Benefits Of Installing Barrier Guards
Installing the right barrier guardrails does a lot more than simply meeting basic safety compliance requirements.
Protection For Pedestrians
The big one. Forklifts cause 36% of their fatalities by running over pedestrians. Creating a physical space that separates people from forklifts reduces this risk significantly.
Employees will feel safer. They should.
Equipment & Infrastructure Protection
Think about it. Forklifts collide with rack systems. Vehicles run into machinery. Equipment gets driven into building columns and walls. These situations happen in facilities every day.
Each one is a money pit of repairs, downtime, lost productivity and potential inventory damage. Barrier rails absorb the impact before it hits your valuable assets.
Easy math here. Compare the costs of potential damage to a barrier rail system and you will see the benefits in a hurry. Rack collapse alone can easily total $10K or more in damaged inventory alone.
Reduced Liability Exposure
Workplace injuries cost businesses money. Workers’ comp claims, lawsuits, increased insurance premiums. Facility owners and managers have a responsibility to show that they have taken a proactive stance with safety measures like barrier installations.
Simple good business sense.
Improved Traffic Flow
Well designed barrier systems actually make operations more efficient by creating a defined movement path. Drivers know where they are allowed to be and operate.
Traffic flow is improved and congestion is reduced. Fewer near-misses. Easier operations.
Helps With OSHA Compliance
Powered Industrial Trucks is one of OSHA’s most commonly cited standards year after year. Installing the right barrier systems help facilities meet regulatory requirements and avoid penalties.
How To Select The Right System
Selecting the correct barrier rail system is all about asking the right questions and then understanding the answers.
Assess Traffic Patterns
Where are your forklifts operating? What paths do pedestrians naturally take? Where are all the high-risk intersections and conflict points? Mapping these patterns is a great way to highlight your barrier priorities.
Evaluate Impact Risk Levels
Not all areas of a facility are high-risk. Some areas experience low-speed contact all day long. Others are occasional high impact areas. Match your barrier strength to the real risk level.
Installation Requirements
Different barriers need different anchors. Some require deep floor penetration. Others are surface-mounted. Existing floor conditions will play a large role in which systems work best.
Plan For Maintenance
Every system needs maintenance. Steel will require repainting. Potential straightening after impacts. Polymer systems need inspections from time to time. Build maintenance into your total project costs.
Visibility Matters
Safety barriers are most effective when they are extremely visible. Safety yellow is the industry standard for a reason. Bright yellow is very noticeable by both employees and forklift drivers.
Extra features like reflective strips or integrated LED lighting will make it even more visible in low light conditions.
Bringing it all Together
Barrier rails and guards represent one of the most intelligent investments any business can make in the area of workplace safety. Barrier rails and guards protect people. Equipment. Assets. Bottom line.
The data is in. Most forklift accidents are avoidable. Barrier rails provide the degree of protection that visual indicators like painted lines simply cannot match.
When it comes time to select the right system there are several important factors that should be considered. Here are some points to help you decide.
- A clear understanding of the specific hazards and risks at your facility
- Traffic flow and the identification of high risk zones
- Installation and ongoing maintenance needs
- Budget and long-term total cost of ownership
Don’t wait until you have a serious accident to recognize the need for better protection. Barrier installation is a safety investment that keeps workers protected and shows a genuine commitment to workplace safety.
The right barrier rail system is not just about compliance. It’s about creating a work environment where employees can go about their jobs without worrying about every preventable danger that lurks around every corner.
That is something worth investing in.
