One of the most overlooked yet crucial components of industrial safety is protective guarding for shelving and racking systems. These safety features prevent accidents from falling items, equipment collisions, and employee mishaps in high-traffic storage areas. Bradford Systems offers a complete range of protective guarding solutions that help facilities protect their workforce, inventory, and bottom line.
In this blog, we explore the significance of protective guarding, highlight key components such as netting, barriers, and guardrails, and provide best practices for integrating them into pallet racks, mezzanines, and high-reach storage systems. Whether you’re outfitting a bustling warehouse, manufacturing plant, or distribution center, this guide will help you understand how the right safety solutions can reduce liability, meet OSHA standards, and promote operational efficiency.
Why Protective Guarding Matters
Industrial facilities are high-risk environments. Heavy machinery, tall storage units, and constant movement of personnel and vehicles make them prone to accidents. According to the Material Handling Safety website, falling items from racking systems and collisions with storage structures are among the top causes of injuries in warehouse settings.
Beyond the human toll, these incidents result in:
- Property damage
- Product loss
- Increased insurance premiums
- Legal liability and OSHA fines
- Operational delays and downtime
Protective guarding is a first line of defense. Installing safety accessories like column protectors, wire mesh barriers, safety netting, guardrails, and bollards can prevent accidents before they occur, ensuring a safe and productive work environment.
Key Protective Guarding Solutions from Bradford Systems
Bradford Systems provides a wide array of industrial safety equipment designed to complement your racking, shelving, and mezzanine systems. Each component serves a specific purpose and can be tailored to your space and risk profile.
Column Guards and Rack Protectors
These accessories protect the structural integrity of pallet racks by shielding the vertical supports from forklift or cart impacts. Bradford’s column guards come in high-visibility colors and durable materials that absorb impact energy, reducing the risk of rack failure.
Use Case: High-traffic warehouse aisles where forklifts maneuver in tight spaces.
Wire Mesh Panels and Enclosures
Wire mesh guarding acts as a physical barrier that prevents items from falling off the back or sides of shelving units. They also provide added security for storing high-value items or restricted materials.
Use Case: Logistics centers storing boxed inventory on high racks; secure storage of tools or chemicals.
Safety Netting
Bradford offers high-tensile strength netting solutions to catch loose items before they fall onto walkways or work areas. These are particularly effective in dynamic storage environments where items may shift.
Use Case: Automotive parts warehouses and ecommerce fulfillment centers with fast-moving inventory.
Guardrails and Handrails
These protect workers and walkways from vehicular traffic and accidental falls, especially around mezzanines and loading docks. Modular handrails can also be used to direct foot traffic and define safe zones.
Use Case: Manufacturing floors with open mezzanine platforms or mixed pedestrian/forklift zones.
Bollards and Impact Barriers
Installed at entryways, corners, and around sensitive equipment, bollards prevent collisions from forklifts, pallet jacks, and other warehouse vehicles.
Use Case: Protecting electrical panels, office partitions, or high-traffic corridor intersections.
Industry Standards and Compliance
Implementing protective guarding also helps businesses remain compliant with regulatory bodies like OSHA. According to OSHA standard 1910.176(b), “Storage of materials shall not create a hazard. Storage areas shall be kept free from accumulation of materials that constitute hazards from tripping, fire, explosion, or pest harborage.”
Inadequate guarding may not only put employees at risk but could also result in:
- Costly OSHA violations
- Temporary shutdowns
- Increased scrutiny during audits
Bradford’s safety accessories help your facility stay in line with these regulations while reinforcing a culture of safety.
Best Practices for Protective Guarding Implementation
- Conduct a Safety Audit: Evaluate traffic patterns, storage heights, and areas prone to impact or falling objects. Bradford offers site assessments to identify your unique risks.
- Prioritize High-Risk Zones: Install guarding in areas like racking ends, mezzanine edges, and intersections first before expanding system-wide.
- Use High-Visibility Equipment: Choose guards in bright colors to draw attention and act as visual warnings.
- Choose Modular, Scalable Solutions: Bradford’s components are designed to grow with your facility. Add or adjust barriers as your space or layout changes.
- Train Employees: Even the best equipment fails without proper usage. Provide training on navigating around guarding and emphasize why these systems are crucial.
Custom Solutions to Fit Your Facility
Every industrial space is different, and off-the-shelf safety options rarely provide the best protection. Bradford offers customized configurations of protective guarding systems to match your shelving setup, load types, and workflow. Whether it’s a compact manufacturing plant or a sprawling warehouse, we ensure that your guarding solutions offer comprehensive protection without impeding productivity.
Final Thoughts: Protect More Than Just Your Storage
Protective guarding might seem like an add-on, but it plays a central role in preserving your most valuable assets: your people and your product. By investing in high-quality, well-placed safety solutions, you minimize risk, reduce downtime, and build a stronger, more resilient operation.
Ready to Safeguard Your Facility? Contact Bradford Systems today for a customized safety audit and expert recommendations on protective guarding solutions.
Explore Our Safety Solutions
Industrial Safety Equipment at Bradford Systems
