Out of the deflection zone: Help raise the bar on safety barriers

Speaking today at the Safer Logistics Zone, part of The Health & Safety Event at the NEC, Neil Clifford, managing director of A-Safe said: “Mixing pedestrians and vehicles in the workplace increases the risk of incidents. The recommendation of PAS is to use safety barriers where motorised vehicles are in operation. This is particularly so where there is no kerb in place.

“The standard also focuses on how to clearly demarcate pedestrian zones and walkways.”

“Another key point is the deflection zone. When there is an impact, the deflected barrier must not intrude into the pedestrian walkway.”

With A-Safe, the barriers revert to their original shape post-impact. In contrast, steel barriers stay deformed and transmit more energy into the fixings, leading to greater floor damage.

A-Safe has welcomed the introduction of PAS13-2017, a standard document which raises the benchmark for warehouse safety barriers. A-Safe is the sponsor and the technical author of the document, along with the BSI (British Standards Institute). It is hoped this will become a national and European standard.

Neil gave a detailed presentation on the need for safety barriers, and key issues that must be considered by end users in their implementation.