Is your warehouse facing safety challenges like spills, forklift traffic, or ongoing maintenance? No doubt people and machines are going non-stop.
In such a busy environment where everyone is on the move, things can go wrong. Even with an effective safety system in place, accidents still happen. This is where temporary barriers offer a quick and effective way to mitigate these risks and improve overall warehouse safety.
But with so many options out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed — or worse: pick the wrong one. In fact, many similar-looking products can perform very differently when you get them to your facility. This article will explain the types of temporary barriers and show you how you can use them to:
- Protect workers and assets from moving equipment.
- Quickly adapt to changing warehouse layouts and operations.
- Manage traffic flow and prevent collisions.
Let’s get started.
What can temporary barriers do?
Barriers work by being highly visible. Their bright colours and striking patterns alert people to danger, reducing the likelihood of injuries or death.
They are cost-effective because you can move them from one area to another without huge installation expenses or compromising permanent operations and floor layout. You can also set them up quickly and with minimal effort, ensuring your people are protected and operations can continue around the new configuration.
When you shouldn’t rely on temporary barriers
Although the term ‘temporary’ can be misleading — many temporary barriers can be used for years — they are not suited for all situations. A word of warning: You shouldn’t use temporary barriers when a hazard can be eliminated or when more robust, permanent solutions are practicable.
A temporary barrier provides much less protection in high-risk areas than steel or flexible barrier types.
When to use temporary barriers
To decide which temporary barriers to use, you first need to think about what you are trying to do. Look at the nature of your work, your environment, and the people doing the activities. Here are three common scenarios where temporary barriers are helpful:
- Create an exclusion zone to protect people and assets
- Allow for flexible floor layouts and operations
- Control traffic flow.
Let’s examine each of these situations and look at how you can use different temporary barriers to improve safety.
1. Using temporary barriers to protect people and assets
Are you looking for ways to protect your employees and assets in your warehouse? Creating ‘exclusion zones’ using temporary barriers can be a versatile and cost-effective solution
An exclusion zone is simply a designated area that’s off-limits to unauthorised personnel. These zones are typically used around machinery, vehicles, hazardous materials, or any other area where there’s a significant risk of injury or damage.
What types to use
The best barrier type depends on the level of risk and the specific needs of your environment. Here are a couple of popular options:
Retractable Belts are incredibly efficient and cost-effective for creating quick and easy exclusion zones. You’ve probably seen the striped tape around machinery, loading docks, and other hazardous areas (or the airport check-in queue). They’re easy to set up and reconfigure, and they come in a variety of styles, including heavy-duty wheeled versions, long and short tape options, stand-alone models, and even magnetic options.
Pro Tip: While retractable belts are convenient, they’re not foolproof. People can easily walk under them, drive through them, or ignore the warning signs. That’s why you must provide effective education and training to your employees on the purpose of the exclusion zone, the potential hazards, and the proper protocols.
Expanding Gates provide a more substantial barrier that’s still easy to move and store. These gates are typically made from aluminum and can be quickly wheeled into place or wall mounted. They are great for blocking entrances or passageways.
Check here for more detail on types of portable safety barriers.
Making the most of your exclusion zones
The barrier is just the first part of creating an exclusion zone that works. You also need:
- Clear signage that clearly identifies zones with highly visible signs that explain the hazards and the rules for entry.
- Employee training on the importance of respecting exclusion zones and the potential consequences of violating them.
- Regular inspections of temporary barriers to ensure they’re in good condition and properly positioned.
By using the right temporary barriers and implementing effective safety procedures, you can create exclusion zones that protect your employees and assets from harm.
2. Using temporary barriers to create flexible floor layouts
Do you need to reconfigure your warehouse floor to accommodate changing needs or maybe have a lease that doesn’t allow you to install permanent fixtures?
Portable barriers can be a lifesaver for creating temporary walkways, separating machinery from people, protecting people doing maintenance, and managing traffic flow (more on this below).
They offer the flexibility you need to adapt to new situations without the cost and hassle of permanent construction.
What types to use
Here are a few popular types of portable, protective barriers that are best suited when you need to improve safety and maintain a flexible floor layout:
Clearpath Safety Barriers are ideal for defining walkways in your warehouse or placing around machines. Their anti-trip foot design helps prevent accidents, and they’re lightweight (only 12kg each) and easy to interlock, making them simple to set up and reconfigure.
Strongwall Barriers, as the name suggests, create a strong wall to separate people and machines. Each section weighs around 20kg, making them relatively easy to move. They can be used both indoors and outdoors, and their unique base design withstands windy conditions, making them great for short-term construction or maintenance projects.
Water-Filled Barriers offer a higher level of protection, especially useful when heavier vehicles are moving about. Once filled, they weigh in at 120-150kg and will hold their ground even in windy conditions such as outdoor construction zones or carparks. Keep in mind that once filled with water, they are heavy and will need a forklift to move them.
Top Tip: Make sure your floor layout complies with all relevant safety regulations.
Key considerations for flexible floor layouts
The barrier you choose should have the following characteristics:
- High visibility to both pedestrians and vehicle operators.
- Stability so they won’t easily tip over, or create a trip hazard..
- Easy to move and reconfigure as needed.
By using the right portable barriers and carefully planning your floor layout, you can create a safer, more efficient, and more adaptable warehouse environment.
3. Managing traffic flow using temporary barriers
By now, you’ve seen how versatile portable barriers can be for improving safety in a variety of situations. But did you know they’re also an excellent tool for managing traffic flow in your warehouse? Whether you’re unloading trucks, receiving deliveries, or carrying out maintenance, portable barriers can help you create safer and more efficient traffic patterns.
The key to managing traffic is keeping people and moving machines or vehicles separate, minimising the risk of collisions. We’ve already talked about how to create pedestrian walkways and cordon off work areas using exclusion zones to keep people safe. This is also important when unloading trucks or receiving deliveries or carrying out maintenance.
Key considerations for managing traffic flow
Always remember these key points when choosing and using temporary barriers to manage traffic flow:
- Don’t replace permanent solutions (More information on TMP strategies here).
- Visibility is key to ensure that everyone is aware of the traffic flow patterns.
- Regularly evaluate and adjust your traffic flow patterns and adjust your barrier placement accordingly.
By strategically using portable barriers, you can create a safer, more efficient, and more organized warehouse environment.
Image: Using a retractable belt to separate a pedestrian walkway from forklift traffic
Which temporary barriers are right for your warehouse?
Choosing the right temporary barriers can make a significant difference in the safety and efficiency of your warehouse. While fixed barriers offer robust protection in high-risk areas, temporary solutions provide the flexibility you need for changing layouts, maintenance tasks, and unexpected situations. From quickly deployed exclusion zones to robust physical protection, choosing the right temporary barrier system ensures a safer work environment for everyone.
Ready to create a safer, more adaptable warehouse? Get in touch today for a free personalised consultation. We’ll help you assess your warehouse’s specific needs, discuss the best barrier solutions for your challenges, and help you manage workplace risks. Let’s build a safer future for your team.”
