In recent years, the invention of machines, tools, and vehicles has brought widespread efficiency to the workplace. The use of forklifts, for example, has made carrying goods and workers from one site to another easier and more efficient. However, the mishandling of these machines has also led to numerous workplace accidents that cost lives, damage to property and business loss. Today, countries have regulatory bodies that enforce standards for businesses and regularly monitor workplaces for safety compliance. The use of bollards in warehouses and industrial sites show an employer’s commitment to prioritize safety at the worksite.

What are Asset Protection Bollards?

Asset Protection Bollards are simple, flexible solutions used to improve workplace safety against out-of-control machines and vehicles such as pallet cars, forklifts, floor cleaners, and even trucks that transport inventory from one location to another. Whether automated or manned, these vehicles can get out of control. When this happens, asset protection bollards can protect workers from harm, minimize damage to equipment and help avert inventory loss.

Fixed bollards can be used to permanently protect equipment and assets such as warehouse shelves, building columns and indoor power supplies. They are made of durable steel or stainless steel and can be designed to suit any environment or to increase visibility.

Underground fixed bollards can also be used to protect life-saving emergency equipment like a fire hydrant as well as electrical panels located in landscaped areas. As the name suggests, these bollards are installed with an underground foundation hidden beneath the landscape work to make it strong enough to withstand the impact of a vehicle.

Surface fixed bollards can also be used where excavation is not possible. They are strong enough to resist the impact force of low-speed equipment.

Applications

Averting Forklift Accidents

Forklifts and other industrial machines are expensive, heavy, and packed with power. Even a seemingly small error can turn into a disastrous accident. If a forklift accidentally veers off course and bumps into a wall, another machine or a shelf stacked high with inventory, it can trigger a chain reaction that can result in major damages. Asset protection bollards are used to guard high-risk areas to avert the massive cost of damages caused by forklift errors.

Securing Loading Docks

Loading docks are high-risk areas for accidents. Securing the area with protection bollards can protect assets during loading and unloading, serve as a visual deterrent to workers that work is ongoing, and prevent unauthorized access. Installing protection bollards outside the loading dock to prevent trucks in reverse from colliding with the building or another truck is also a good safety practice to minimize accidents in loading docks.

Protecting Building Columns in Multi-Storey Car Parking

Asset protection bollards are used to protect columns that support building structures from damage caused by vehicle accidents. Installing asset protection bollards will provide a visual and physical deterrent to vehicle drivers when maneuvering between building columns such as in narrow multi-storey parking areas.

Protecting Power Supplies and Electrical Panels

Asset protection bollards are also used to protect indoor power supplies and outdoor electrical panels from an accidental vehicle collision. With bollards surrounding a critical structure such as emergency power supplies and electrical panels, drivers and employees alike are visually warned against a possible collision.

Protecting Fire Hydrants

Fire Hydrants are mostly left unguarded. Although they are made of heavy-duty materials, a vehicle crash could significantly damage this life-saving equipment and undermine the fire department’s ability to respond during crises. Also, once damaged, fire hydrants can flood an area for hours until fixed. Installing protection bollards around a fire hydrant can prevent unnecessary flooding incidents and allow firefighters to access water supply during emergencies.

Protecting Expensive Kitchen Equipment

Asset protection bollards are also used in kitchens and other large, open worksites to protect the corners of large equipment such as refrigeration units, kitchen racks, and shelves from out-of-control floor cleaners, polishers, forklifts, or electric scooters.

Installation

Fixed bollards, also called static bollards, require excavation work. This is challenging in worksites that operate 24/7 such as warehouse and industrial production sites or hotel kitchens that cannot afford to lose working hours. A solution is to install the bollards at night, during a holiday or during a scheduled maintenance downtime. When the project site has excavation restrictions, surface fixed bollards can be used instead. Surface fixed bollards do not require excavation and only take a few hours to install. For outdoor use especially in landscaped areas, it is best to use underground fixed bollards to avoid damaging the landscape work.