What types of safety barrier can be found in the workplace?

There is a wide range of safety barriers available for different needs in a factory or warehouse. The industry you work in and the type of environment at your facility will determine which barriers are best for your needs.

The types of safety barrier include:

Traffic barriers

These are often heavy-duty barriers and are specifically designed to defend against impacts from site vehicles and moving objects. These are often used to defend infrastructure and machinery.

Pedestrian barriers

While these are sometimes used to protect against unwanted impacts from lighter vehicles, pedestrian barriers are most often used to define walkways through busy sites. They offer additional support in the form of handrails and balustrades.

Traffic and pedestrian barriers

These are a combination of the two types of barrier mentioned above. They provide the height and support of a pedestrian barrier, while also offering additional heavy-duty protection from vehicles.  

Topple barriers

Designed to define and protect stacked goods storage areas, topple barriers provide high level protection from falling stock and impacts from vehicles. 

Low level barriers

Low-level barriers provide heavy duty protection from moving vehicles. They are especially well suited for use along walls and vehicle corridors. Kerb barriers perform a similar function but primarily protect infrastructure and assets from being struck by vehicle forks.

High level barriers

These barriers are also known as height restrictors. They provide additional protection for vulnerable infrastructure such as doorways and door frames. They double as visual height indicators to ensure only vehicles of the appropriate height go through.

Cold storage barriers

These barriers function in the same way as traditional barriers and come in a variety of the types listed above. Traditional steel and polymer barriers become brittle at low temperatures which would increase the likelihood that they would fail in the event of an impact. Whereas, cold storage barriers are designed to function better at low temperatures, making them ideal for cold storage facilities and freezer units.  

Racking protection barriers

These are often low-level and heavy-duty barriers specifically designed to protect warehouse racking and vital stock from unwanted impacts.

Browse our selection of safety barriers

Whatever your protection and safety needs, we have a range of solutions from racking protection to bollards, barriers and additional site support. Our team are happy to help find the right solution for you.

Speak to a member of our team

The Health and Safety Executive can provide further information about vehicles in the workplace.

Safety Barriers in the Workplace | A summary

There are numerous areas in any busy facility that need protecting. Thankfully, there is also a wide range of safety barrier products, purpose-designed for every application, industry, sector and facility. Once you understand the potential hazards and safety requirements at your specific site, you can begin to identify the right solutions.