Bollards, Guardrails and 3 More Money-Saving Warehouse Safety Products

Warehouse managers are constantly asked to do more with less. Every unexpected injury negatively impacts morale and their bottom line.

According to the National Safety Council, the average worker injury: 

• Generates $38,000 in upfront costs (equipment repair, medical bills) 
• Plus $150,000 in indirect costs (downtime, overtime, insurance rate increases, etc.). 

One bad incident can put an otherwise successful company in the red. That’s why incident prevention is one of the smartest investments you can make.

In this article, we’ll list our five warehouse safety products that are both affordable and effective. We’ll also share the latest warehouse injury stats from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. How does your operation measure up?

5 Must-Have Warehouse Safety Products

Federal law requires employers to provide a safe workplace, but warehouse injuries still happen - at the rate of 4.5 injuries per 100 workers (according to statistics published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Nov 2020).

In addition to worker safety, preventing equipment damage is also top-of-mind for cost-conscious managers. Many operations lose thousands of dollars per hour on downtime alone in addition to repair costs and rental fees.

The five products below can shield your business from expensive incidents and cost only a fraction of what your company would pay in the aftermath of an incident. Here are our favorite products in no particular order:

#1 Guard Rails

Guard rails are one of the most economical ways to protect employees and equipment from harm. Some of the best places to install guard rails include:

• Floor openings
• Loading docks
• Mezzanines
• Walkways

If you’re concerned about injury and fall prevention, we can provide OSHA-compliant safety railing. It’s essential for uneven walkways and mezzanine drop-offs.

We also sell heavy duty guard rail that can stop a 12,000 lb. forklift traveling at 8 mph. It’s also designed so you never have to paint it. 

#2 Protective Barriers

If you need something stronger than a railing, we sell a wide range of protective barriers including:

• High-profile machinery guards - in various shapes and sizes, including a 90-degree “elbow” barrier. 
• Modular, customizable barricade systems
• An electric/hydraulic dock barricade designed to prevent horrific loading dock runoffs. It can stop a 4,000lb truck traveling up to four miles per hour and is easy to install.

#3 Bollards

You’ve no doubt heard of bollards (and seen them everywhere), but did you know the first bollards were used for mooring or towing boats? Today bollards are used to protect objects and people from vehicle damage.

We sell bollards made from steel, aluminum, ductile iron, and durable plastic. You can buy bollards that are:

• Energy-absorbing
• Folding
• Manufactured with chain slots
• Offset (curved)
• Pour-in-place
• Removable
• Spring-loaded (with optional warning light and siren)

#4 Warehouse Security Cages

Security cages prevent unauthorized access to your facility and products. Whether you want to improve loss prevention, keep employees away from dangerous areas (like welding stations), or secure valuable tools and equipment, caging is a simple and effective solution.

Unlike a mezzanine or in-plant office, modular wire cages are easy to make larger or smaller as your operation grows and changes. They also make OSHA compliance easier because they don’t block sprinkler systems or restrict airflow. 

Driver cages give you greater control over who can be in your facility. If a non-employee gets hurt in your facility, you’re still liable - even if that person was supposed to stay in their truck. 

#5 Pallet Rack Backstops and Netting

Pallet rack netting and backstops prevent product from falling out from the back of your pallet rack. Netting is the least-expensive option. Connect it to your racking with zip ties, and it will secure up to 2,500 lbs.

Pallet rack backstops, also known as back guards, attach to your racking either flush-mounted or with spacer brackets. They’re sturdier and more convenient than netting because you don’t have to waste time fishing for fallen products.

• We sell a very sturdy steel option in panel sizes from 96” x 48 ½” up to 120” x 48 ½” that attaches with spacer brackets.
• If you want a pallet rack backstop with more flexible size or mounting options, we sell a wire mesh back guard in panel sizes from 96” x 48” up to 144” x 60” (with many size options in between).

Want More Money-Saving Warehouse Solutions?

The Lilly Company offers a diverse array of innovative, time-saving, and cost-effective warehousing solutions for facilities across the Mid-South. Whether you want to improve efficiency, security, safety (or all three), we’d love the opportunity to earn your business. 

In addition to a wide range of products to make your facility as productive and accident-free as possible, we can help with:

• Air Movement
• Conveyor Systems
• Dock Equipment
• High-Density Storage
• In-Plant Offices/Rooms
• Lighting
• Mezzanines
• Pallet Rack
• Shelving
• Work Stations

Our warehouse optimization experts can create and install a custom solution to help your business become safer and more profitable (a double win for your business). Tell us about your goals and we’ll  find the optimal solution for your needs and budget.

Contact us online or by phone 800-238-3006 with any questions you have. Or, visit us at one of our 13 locations across the Mid-South.

Arkansas - Jonesboro
Alabama - Birmingham, Dothan, Irondale, Madison, Mobile, and Montgomery
Mississippi - Tupelo and Richland
Tennessee - Jackson, Kingsport, Knoxville, and Memphis

Further Reading:
Warehouse Storage Solutions: Pallet Racking
Forklift Pedestrian Safety: What OSHA Requires
How to Reduce Forklift Cost of Ownership