Safety barrier and impact protection selection guide
Maneuvering in a confined space, a restricted field of vision, or a moment of inattention: BOOM, and it's happened. Unplanned expenses for machinery and equipment are regularly caused by impact damage. However, expensive repairs, production downtimes, or even new purchases can easily be avoided! You can effectively secure your inventory against impact with the right impact and collision protection. At the same time, you'll minimize the risk of work-related accidents. We will show you how to select the appropriate impact protection or barrier system for your needs.
Which impact protection system is most suitable for my application?
Before purchasing an impact protection system, ask yourself the following two questions: What should be protected? And where should it be protected?
In most cases, your impact protection system must be more stable and heavier than the equipment it has to withstand. After all, a handcart develops significantly less force than a forklift or truck. It is, therefore, essential to clarify the potential sources of danger within the risk assessment framework and choose a suitable impact protection system as a protective measure. The stability of the impact protection system depends not only on the dimensions but also on the material and the mounting technique. More information can be found below.
The simple rule of thumb applies here: Your impact protection system must be more stable, the heavier and faster the equipment it has to withstand if the worst comes to the worst. After all, a hand truck develops significantly less starting force than a forklift or truck. Therefore, it is essential to clarify the potential sources of danger as part of the risk assessment and choose suitable impact protection as a protective measure. The stability of the impact protection depends not only on the dimensions but also on the material and the installation technique. You can find more information on this in the following.
Different requirements must be placed on the material depending on whether the impact protection is to be used indoors or outdoors. A collision with equipment may damage the impact protection itself - rusting may occur when using non-galvanized steel products outdoors, further damaging the product. Therefore, you should choose a corrosion-resistant material for impact protection systems that are used outdoors. More information can be found below.
Which material should I choose for my impact protection?
The DENIOS range of impact protection products includes steel and high-quality plastic models. When choosing the material, you should ask yourself what the impact protection must do. Depending on the application, different material properties may be required. In general, the larger the diameter and the thicker the material, the more excellent the resistance of your collision guard. If heavy and fast machines are used in your company, you should use exceptionally stable collision protection.
When used outdoors, the weather conditions must also be considered. If a particularly robust impact protection system is required, you should choose a hot-dip galvanized steel product that offers protection against rust damage. In contrast, plastic crash protection is completely corrosion-resistant - even after colliding with vehicles, there is no reason to fear rust damage. However, galvanized steel is often the better choice for outdoor use because of the disadvantages associated with plastic products due to their poor UV resistance. Plastic, however, offers a significant advantage in collision protection as the round shapes and elastic material reduce the impact and, therefore, protect the approaching equipment.
How should I install impact protection?
After selecting the appropriate impact protection product and material based on your risk assessment, the next step is installation. When installing on the ground, you can either embed it in concrete or secure it with screws. Embedding is more labor-intensive but ensures the highest durability for impact protection. Always use suitable screws and anchors for the substrate if you opt for screwing. Especially with yielding products, maintain a sufficient distance from the object you are protecting. Depending on the product, you can secure impact protection directly to the object, such as edge or wall protection profiles, through screwing, adhesive, magnetic attachment, or a snap-in system. In any case, consider the type of installation in your action plan according to your risk assessment.
When is it best to use a shut-off system?
If you are looking for a solution for marking off areas, guiding people, or securing temporary hazardous sites, a shut-off system is the right choice. As part of your risk assessment, you should always check whether a simple shut-off system is sufficient for the respective application or whether a robust crash protection system is required. Shut-off systems are exciting as a mobile variant to react quickly and flexibly to changing circumstances. For example, if you want to free passages or reserve parking and storage spaces temporarily. Above all, however, to secure temporary danger spots, it is advisable always to have a barrier at hand.
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