Choosing the Right Safety Barrier for Your Workplace

There’s no “best” safety barrier in the workplace. The right amount of protection varies by situation.

Your choice should be based on whatever gives you what’s needed to cover your industrial application, safety concerns and budget.

The good news? You have several types of safety barriers to choose from. That’s sometimes daunting for decisionmakers, though.

Our Science of Safety whitepaper on the topic, The ABCs of Industrial Barriers, gets into detail on why barriers are used, hw they work and considerations to keep in mind when deciding on a barrier solution.

For now, though, we’ll break down the factors to consider when selecting the best workplace safety barriers for your unique facility — application, material and style of barrier.

Types of barrier safety applications

Start with the specific safety incidents you need to prevent. Those will vary across your facility.

Below are some potential issues you want to cover in each main area.

Loading dock

• Material handling vehicle drops
• Pedestrian falls off the dock

Pedestrian traffic

• Defining aisleways with warehouse barriers
• Separating work areas from material handling equipment

Building infrastructure

• Physical damage that compromises structural integrity
• High insurance costs due to an accident

Assets and equipment

• Physical damage to machinery, controls, staging areas, etc.
• Injury to people focused on tasks in their work zones

Elevated work areas

• Falls from heights
• Compliance with OSHA/ANSI regulations

Types of barrier safety system materials

Should you go with polymer or steel? Will mesh, concrete or plastic do the job?

That depends. Each type of safety barrier material has benefits and potential drawbacks, depending on several factors. These are some considerations for each. Note that certain specifics below may only apply to Rite-Hite safety barriers.

Polymer Benefits

• Durability: Absorbs multiple impacts with little or no damage to minimize unplanned downtime
• Value: Lower total cost of ownership than steel long term

Polymer Drawbacks

• Price: More cost-effective than steel over time, but the initial price tag is higher
• Limited outdoor use: Temperature variations, weather elements and foundations make indoor applications more ideal

Steel Benefits 

• Simplicity: Standard 10’ lengths are easily cut during installation to quickly meet customer needs
• Price: The up-front amount you pay is lower than polymer

Steel Drawbacks

• Repair: Impacts can damage steel, potentially calling for full replacement
• Rigidity: Redistributes the force of impacts that can damage your floor, structure, vehicles, etc.

Fiberglass Mesh Benefits

• Convenience: Typically retractable for easy access, allows for multiple configurations across facility
• Visibility: Highly visible in yellow and/or orange mesh

Fiberglass Mesh Drawbacks

• Strength: May need to be re-tensioned after multiple impacts and inspected for damage
• Ergonomics: Some workers may have trouble with pull strength, results in discomfort or poor productivity

Plastic Benefits

• Portability: Pick one up and place it elsewhere without having to reinstall hardware
• Universal: Applies equally well in outdoor and indoor environments

Plastic Drawbacks

• Protection: Primary purpose is for visible separation, not protecting people, product or assets
• Strength: Doesn’t hold up as well as other materials for heavy-duty jobs

Concrete Benefits

• Durability: Will hold up against most incidental impacts with minimal damage
• Strength: Can stop more weight at higher speeds than other materials

Concrete Drawbacks

• Safety: Less visible, can cause damage to vehicles and injuries to drivers
• Weight: Not as easy to move or reposition

Types of barrier safety system styles

Finally, you’ll decide on the style of safety barrier system that’s right for you. Here’s what to look for. Again, certain specifics below may only apply to Rite-Hite safety barriers.

Retractable barrier systems benefits

• Versatility: more flexible for accommodating changing workflows than stationary barriers
• Efficiency: quicker, easier access to safety zones while maintaining separation when needed

Retractable barrier systems drawbacks

• Maintenance: more moving parts potentially means more repair and upkeep
• Automation: possibility of being left open, though this can be mitigated as part of a connected solution

Swing gate barrier systems benefits

• Simplicity: Manually operated with little to no training required, fewer moving parts for access
• Versatility: Can be used independently or combined with other barrier systems

Swing gate barrier systems drawbacks

• Strength: Limited to pedestrian traffic flow, separation and other light-duty applications
• Space: Require more clearance to open without damaging surrounding

Removable safety handrail barrier systems benefits

• Separation: Primarily visual barriers used to guide pedestrians and vehicles
• Customization: Modular design means lengths and mounting heights are often to spec

Removable safety handrail barrier systems drawbacks

• Strength: Not for heavy-duty applications as it only stops lighter incidental impacts
• Versatility: Simple, straightforward product that does what it’s designed to do, nothing more

Dual-reciprocating gate systems benefits 

• Edge protection: Helps prevent falls from elevated work areas and secure objects by having the gates work in unison
• Compliance: Meets ANSI standards that require full-time protection when loading/unloading on platforms

Dual-reciprocating gate systems drawbacks

• Footprint: A larger space may be required than what existing architecture allows for
• Impactability: These gates are not impactable, unable to adequately guard against forklifts

Industrial guardrail barrier systems benefits

• Strength: Helps avoid downtime in the most diverse, most demanding environments
• Efficiency: No matter the system, their one job is to stay in place and guard against facility hazards

Industrial guardrail barrier systems drawbacks

• Mobility: While they can be incorporated into larger solutions, these fixed barriers are designed to stay put
• Accessibility: No moving parts or open points means having to go around long stretches of guardrails

Bollard barrier systems benefits

• Versatility: Can be integrated into existing barrier systems for added protection
• Simplicity: Low maintenance, high visibility and easy to install

Bollard barrier systems drawbacks

• Coverage: Limited in scope to very specific areas of infrastructure—multiple may be necessary
• Installation: While some are bolt-down, others are core-drilled into concrete, which takes time

Bottom line

For areas of your facility that require frequent access, you can lean toward flexibility and versatility. Never compromise on safety, though — make sure any solution gives you sufficient strength and durability.

If your safety barrier need is more stationary, go with a heavier-duty solution. But consider exposure to wear and tear.

For the product itself, ask how your specific workforce will operate with it at your unique facility. Generally, what is their level of experience? Is your plant’s infrastructure vulnerable? Are internal changes or equipment upgrades on the horizon?

You’re not in this alone. A Rite-Hite rep can meet or talk through your facility’s unique circumstances. See who your rep is and enlist their expertise.