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Types of Safety Barriers

road-barrierSafety barriers help save lives in a variety of situations. Every year people are injured due to accidents on the road, in factories and other industrial premises. Effective use of the correct type of safety barrier and its positioning can help reduce these accidents and minimise injury.

So what type of safety barriers are currently available and what are their uses? We’ve taken a look at a few of the most common barriers found on the roads, car parks, factories and warehouses.

Crash Barriers

Crash barriers (or Armco barriers) are installed at the roadside to prevent vehicles from colliding with potentially dangerous objects lining the road such as buildings, walls or storm-drains. As well as collisions, the barriers stop vehicles from leaving the road and entering deep water or going down steep, non-recoverable slopes.

Crash barriers are also installed on the central reservations of motorways and dual-carriageways to prevent head-on collisions between cars travelling in opposite directions. Additionally, the barriers stop motorists from illegally changing direction by crossing the central reservation.

Car Park Safety Barriers

Car park safety barriers stop cars from breaching the perimeter of the car park, or in the case of multi-storey car parks, stop them from going over the edge and on to the ground below. There are two types used for car parks: rigid and flexible barriers.

Flexible barriers are designed to ‘give' on impact with a vehicle, absorbing minor knocks without damage to itself or the car. The barrier will be damaged by bigger impacts but the barrier will either be easily replaceable or can be repaired by readily available parts.

Rigid systems stop vehicles effectively but will do damage to the impacting car or van as well as those people inside it. A heavy impact to the barrier will result in either repair or replacement. Repairs to rigid systems are on average, less frequent than flexible systems but are more expensive.

Industrial Safety Barriers

Safety guards and barriers in the workplace have a dual function: to warn employees of hazards and prevent damage to both staff and equipment. These are commonly used in factories and warehouses in the UK and comply with health and safety regulations.

Perimeter barriers and protection bars are used to protect machinery in factories, built to a variety of heights and are painted in bright colours to aid visibility. These barriers stop machinery being damaged by vehicles such as fork-lift trucks.

Pedestrians are protected from moving vehicles in factories and warehouses by industrial walkway barriers. Made of steel and brightly coloured, they are available in modular kits allowing much flexibility when planning their layout.

Temporary barriers are also available for cordoning off areas due to a variety of situations. These situations can be anything from an accident scene to a part of the factory that is currently being cleaned. The barriers are typically moveable poles with concrete bases, connected by chains or material tape.

So there you have a overview of the types of safety barriers currently used on the roads and in the industrial sector. This guide should help you make an informed decision as to which types of barrier you will require for your own business.

Article provided by Safe Options-safeoptions.co.uk

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