Choosing a Safety Bollard: A Guide for Property Owners

Safety bollards have a simple job: Stop vehicles from entering areas where they might cause damage. To that end, they need to be highly visible and capable of sustaining impacts from automobiles, lift trucks, and even commercial trucks.

Of course, functionality isn’t the only factor to consider. Whether you’re outfitting a new facility or adding protection to an existing operation, you’ll need to think about aesthetics, placement, and compliance — and whether structural barrier rails might provide better protection.

Below, we’ll explain some use cases for safety bollards and provide tips for purchasing. To discuss outfitting with an expert, call (314) 696-0200 to speak with a member of our sales team or submit a request online.

Safety Bollards: Commercial and Industrial Use Cases

For property owners, safety bollards can serve a number of functions:

• Protecting loading docks: Bollards create a barrier between loading docks and busy traffic areas to prevent accidental collisions with lift trucks and other vehicles.
• Safeguarding pedestrians: In facilities where pedestrians and vehicles share space, bollards define walkways and protect workers from potential accidents. This can also support OSHA compliance (explained below).
• Shielding infrastructure: Bollards can safeguard valuable equipment like electrical panels, machinery, and structural supports.
• Securing EV charging stations: Bollards are crucial for protecting charging stations from accidental impacts, particularly in commercial installations.
• Defining traffic flow: Bollards can guide vehicle movement in parking lots and loading areas, improving efficiency and safety.

Identifying the use case is helpful when determining the necessary impact resistance, which is arguably the most important single feature of a bollard. In situations where there’s a low chance of a high-impact strike (for example, in a small parking lot where vehicles are unlikely to build up much speed), bollards can be smaller and more lightweight. 

Does OSHA Require Safety Bollards? 

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) does not explicitly require employers to install structural bollards, but bollards are a practical and cost-effect way to fulfill several OSHA standards.

For example:

• Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178) requires employers to implement measures to protect workers from hazards related to powered industrial trucks, including collisions.
• Walking-Working Surfaces (1910.22) addresses hazards related to walking and working surfaces, including aisles and passageways.
• Construction (1926.20(b)) requires employers to initiate and maintain accident prevention programs. 

OSHA’s General Duty Clause also requires that employers provide a workplace “free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.” 

Are Safety Bollards Required for EV Charger Installation?

Many parking lot codes explicitly require bollards of 36-48 inches. Municipal and state codes may also require protection for EV chargers, including those installed at private businesses or residences. You’ll need to check with your local permit office (or for private residences, your HOA) to determine whether bollards are legally necessary. 

But generally, if the charger is at risk of accidental impact, EV charging station bollards are an excellent investment. A single Level II charger might cost as much as $12,000 — spending a few hundred dollars to protect the equipment just makes sense. 

Related: Why Are So Many EV Chargers Broken and What Can You Do About It?

Should I Install Safety Bollards or Structural Barrier Rails?

While bollards are a versatile solution for many applications, they’re not always the best option. In warehouses and other industrial facilities, you might consider these alternatives to control vehicle traffic and protect equipment: 

• Structural Barrier Rails: Heavy-duty rails provide a continuous line of protection for larger areas or vulnerable structures. They’re ideal for protecting loading docks and defining traffic lanes.
• Powered Dock Gates: In high-traffic loading dock areas, powered dock gates offer a robust and controlled barrier that also controls traffic. 

To learn more about the differences between these products, read: Choosing a Dock Safety Barrier: Rails, Gates, or Bollards?

Choosing Safety Bollards for Accidental Impacts

Safety bollards differ in material, design, height, and impact capacity. It’s worth noting that these are related characteristics: The construction, height, and diameter of a bollard will determine how much impact it can withstand.

Bollards are typically constructed from steel, stainless steel, or polymers like high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Steel offers excellent strength and impact resistance, while stainless steel provides added corrosion resistance for outdoor use. Polymer bollards are lightweight, durable, and aesthetically appealing, but they’re generally not capable of withstanding extraordinary impacts. 

Taller bollards provide greater protection, while thicker bollards offer increased strength. Bollards can be surface-mounted with base plates or embedded in concrete for greater stability; choose the mounting option that best suits your application and ground conditions.

Recommendation: High-Impact Safety Bollards from Solus Group

Solus Group carries Structural Bollards made with welded steel, with 24", 36", and 48"-high standard models. Custom bollards are also available on request, and our sales team works with clients to find appropriate options for different types of installations. 

Whether you’re defining travel routes in a warehouse, protecting your forklift battery room, or securing a commercial EV charger, Structural Bollards from Solus Group provide durable protection. 

Features include:

• Superior Strength and Durability: Their welded steel construction ensures maximum impact resistance, and powder coating maintains aesthetics even in tough environments.
• Enhanced Visibility: The bright OSHA-yellow powder-coat finish enhances visibility. Custom colors are available on request, and custom logos or designs can be incorporated into the top of the unit.  
• Easy Installation: These surface-mounted bollards feature an 8" x 8" base plate with pre-drilled mounting holes and included anchors for quick and straightforward installation.

We’re ready to help you find the perfect traffic control solutions for your operation. Contact Solus Group today at 314-696-0200 or request a quote to get started.