Choosing a Dock Safety Barrier: Rails, Gates, or Bollards?

Dock safety barriers protect equipment and workers, and they’re essential equipment for every type of facility. However, different types of barriers serve very different purposes — and for OSHA-compliant fall protection, you may need a range of solutions.

For warehouses, distribution centers, and other facilities with high-traffic loading areas, three types of safety barriers will need to be implemented. Below, we’ll explain a few standard applications for bollards, rails, and dock gates, then provide some suggestions for choosing appropriate equipment for your facility. 

Loading Dock Bollards 

Structural bollards are intended to protect important infrastructure (such as dock edges) from vehicle strikes. 

Warehouse accidents and injuries can be significantly reduced by placing bollards in key locations. For example, placing bollards at aisle ends prevents a frequent accident: Forklift operators taking corners too close and damaging shelving units.

Solus Group carries BHS Structural Barriers (SB), heavy-duty, welded steel barriers capable of protecting docks. Dimensions and weight can be customized for the needs of the application, and a powder-coated finish ensures that the bollards stand up to incidental strikes. 

Loading Dock Guardrails 

Guard rail systems are versatile barriers, ideal for marking out vehicle passageways or protecting modular offices. On loading docks, they’re typically used to protect mobile docks and forklifts from coming into contact with the sides of dock openings. 

The Structural Barrier Rail (SBR) is a heavy-duty steel guardrail system from BHS. Designed to absorb impacts from forklifts, it features a rated capacity of 10,000 pounds at 4 miles per hour. 

SBRs are sold by the foot (with a minimum length of 4 feet) and are available in single or double rail configurations for various height needs. Drop-in rails allow for easy installation and future adjustments, while custom designs are available for permanent installations.

Loading Dock Gates 

Dock gates prevent vehicles from passing through travel paths (and going over the edges of the docks). Powered dock gates are generally recommended, as their basic controls reduce the chances of human error — workers simply need to push a button to lower the barrier. 

Solus Group carries the Powered Dock Gate (PDG-120-120), which features a lift motor compatible with 115-volt and 230-volt circuits. The Powered Dock Gate can stop forces of up to 10,000 pounds moving at 4 miles per hour, protecting workers and equipment from accidental impacts.

Related: Portable Dock Ramps: A Guide for Warehouse Managers

Choosing Dock Safety Barriers: Features to Consider

While safety barriers aren’t the most complex purchase, they’re critically important. Low-quality materials or missing features can lead to a long-term impact (literally).

Look for solutions with these features:

• High Visibility Paint - “OSHA-yellow" is the default for safety barriers for a reason: It’s highly visible, which reduces the chances of a strike. Custom powder coating is available, but when choosing custom paints, make sure that they create enough contrast with other elements of your operation’s loading area.  
• Strong Impact Resistance - A fully loaded forklift can generate a tremendous amount of impact force. Make sure your barriers are rated for lift truck impacts (and make sure they’re properly anchored).
• Quick Operation - Moving barriers (such as loading dock gates) should be able to lift and lower quickly. Otherwise, workers might not use them regularly. Choose solutions that are compatible with your existing electrical infrastructure.

At Solus Group, we’re dedicated to helping facilities find safety solutions that work — and maintain safe, productive operations. To get started, call (314) 696-0200 to speak with a member of our sales team or click here to submit a request online.