Every 7 seconds, a workplace accident occurs somewhere in Europe, and more than 20% of these incidents are related to collisions between people, industrial vehicles, and workplace infrastructure. The average cost of a single serious incident is estimated at around €40,000, not including production downtime and operational losses. Properly designed flexible safety barriers can reduce the risk of damage by up to 80% while extending the lifespan of equipment by years. Standards such as PAS 13 and other international regulations play a crucial role in defining what real occupational health and safety should look like.
The Importance of Standards in Industrial Barrier Design
Modern manufacturing and logistics facilities are becoming faster, more automated, and increasingly hazardous. The movement of forklifts, AGV robots, and material handling equipment creates an environment where even a small mistake can have immediate consequences. That is why having “some form of protection” is no longer enough. Mobile barriers and fixed partition barriers must be:
- properly designed based on real operational risks,
- impact-tested,
- positioned according to clear safety methodologies.
Without these principles, safety systems become more of an illusion than real protection.
PAS 13: The Core Pillar of Modern Industrial Safety
PAS 13 is one of the most respected guidelines for the design and implementation of industrial protective systems.
What PAS 13 addresses in practice:
- workplace risk assessment,
- separation of pedestrians and vehicles,
- selection of the correct barrier systems,
- impact resistance testing,
- proper safety distances and protection zones.
PAS 13 emphasizes that a barrier is not just a physical obstacle — it is a system designed to absorb impact energy and protect both people and technology.
Flexible vs. Rigid Solutions: What Standards Require
Traditional steel constructions are gradually being replaced by more advanced solutions. The reason is simple: impact energy management.
Flexible barriers:
- absorb impact energy,
- reduce equipment damage,
- minimize operational downtime,
- comply with PAS 13 requirements for dynamic performance.
Rigid barriers:
- have higher stiffness,
- transfer impact energy back into the vehicle,
- often cause secondary damage.
As a result, modern standards increasingly recommend flexible barriers as the more effective solution for dynamic industrial environments.
Additional Standards You Must Follow in 2026
EN ISO 14122
Covers safe access to machinery, including stairs, platforms, and protective elements.
EN ISO 13857
Defines safety distances to prevent access to hazardous areas.
EN 1991
Addresses structural loading requirements, including impact forces.
ISO 45001
Provides the primary management framework for occupational health and safety.
Together, these standards create a comprehensive system in which both mobile barriers and fixed partition barriers must form part of an overall safety strategy.
Partition Barriers as Part of a Comprehensive Solution
A single barrier is never enough. In practice, effective safety systems combine several elements:
- vehicle traffic guidance,
- separation of pedestrian zones,
- machinery protection,
- visual safety marking.
Partition barriers help define movement logic within industrial facilities. Properly designed systems can eliminate collision points before incidents occur.
Mobile Barriers: The Flexibility Modern Standards Support
Manufacturing environments constantly evolve — layouts change and production lines move. This increases the importance of solutions that can be adapted quickly.
Mobile barriers allow:
- rapid space reconfiguration,
- temporary separation of hazardous areas,
- immediate response to production changes.
However, these systems must still meet current standards for stability, visibility, and impact resistance.
The Most Common Mistakes That Can Cost Thousands
Even in 2026, companies continue repeating the same critical errors:
- underestimating risk assessments,
- selecting the wrong type of barrier,
- failing to maintain safety distances,
- lack of impact testing,
- ignoring updates to safety standards.
The result? Preventable accidents, damaged equipment, and compromised occupational health and safety.
How to Start Correctly
To ensure your safety solution complies with current standards:
- Conduct a professional risk assessment.
- Choose the right combination of flexible barriers, mobile barriers, and partition barriers.
- Verify products according to PAS 13 requirements.
- Monitor updates to legislation and standards.
- Regularly inspect and maintain the system.
Safety is no longer an optional addition — it is a strategic investment. Standards such as PAS 13 define the minimum requirements, but competitive companies go further. Properly designed flexible barriers combined with a well-planned partition barrier system form the foundation of modern occupational health and safety. Ultimately, this is not only about compliance. It is about protecting people, ensuring production continuity, and maintaining a company’s reputation.
Investing in mobile plastic safety barriers delivers long-term benefits in the form of improved safety, enhanced asset protection, and reduced operational costs. If you are interested in tailored solutions for your workplace, do not hesitate to contact the expert team at A-SAFE.
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