How Post Protectors Can Prevent Costly Warehouse Accidents
Posted by Rhino Rails on Jun 03, 2024
There are numerous concerns involved with running a warehouse. Though your primary focus is likely efficiency, ensuring employee safety and reducing the risk of property damage will also require your attention. Thankfully, doing something as minimal as installing post protectors can help you address all of these factors, and they will deliver a broad range of benefits as well.
These advantages are as follows:
Installation Is Fast and Simple
You’ll often find that renovations for your warehouse require considerable financial investments, but that isn’t the case with steel protectors or guards for your posts. Depending on the style and size of protectors you need, costs can range from $26 up to $124 per piece. As such, even in the event that you require multiple protectors for a large warehouse, your total costs will remain relatively low.
Further helping matters is that your maintenance personnel can easily handle the installation of the post guards with the tools they have available. There’s no need to modify your warehouse or undertake a large construction project. The guards are versatile and able to fit into the smallest spaces. Install the protectors in front of posts in corners, narrow corridors, or along areas with heavy forklift traffic.
Prevent Post Damage and Costly Repairs
As you’re likely aware, the damage a forklift can cause when it hits a concrete post at full speed cannot be understated. Even at a slower pace, the forklift’s counterweight is heavy enough to cause some post damage on impact, an outcome that requires wasting resources to repair or replace the post.
When you use post protectors, you’ll prevent that damage from occurring in the first place. The driver will have additional breaking time, and the protector will take the force of the impact. Even when an accident irreparably damages a protector, installing a new one will cost significantly less than replacing a concrete post.
Reduce the Need for Post Maintenance
Similar to the above point, your maintenance team likely spends a significant amount of time restoring damaged concrete posts throughout your warehouse. Installing post protectors will keep your concrete posts in better condition and reduce your maintenance team's workload. They can dedicate more time to the upkeep of forklifts and other machinery in your facility.
Reduce the Risks of Serious Injuries With Post Protectors
Of course, when a forklift driver hits a concrete post, it isn’t just the post that suffers. Neck and back injuries, in addition to other forms of physical harm, are common outcomes.
On the other hand, when a forklift driver hits a post guard or protector, they will feel the impact at any speed. That will serve as an early warning to stop the vehicle immediately, and it will reduce the risk of a greater impact that can lead to significant workplace injuries.
The protector will also keep the driver from hitting inventory racks or other types of storage, thereby preventing objects from falling and causing head trauma, lacerations, and other injuries. Post protectors, driver training, and other safety precautions all work together to limit the possibility of these types of accidents.
Comply With OSHA Safety Regulations
OSHA requires that warehouses and manufacturing facilities minimize the presence of safety hazards. When it’s impossible to eliminate safety threats, use concrete posts, guard rails, and other features to alert people to problem areas.
In addition, OSHA requires the use of bright colors, such as yellow and red, to highlight areas that demand more caution. However, one issue that arises with concrete posts is that impacts and scrapes can wear away the yellow paint.
You can spend a small fortune touching up the paint on a regular basis to ensure your warehouse meets OSHA standards. Fortunately, high-quality post protectors have yellow coloring sealed onto the surface, which means you won’t have to worry about repainting them.
Protect Your Inventory With Post Protectors
Even with concrete posts in place near crucial areas throughout the warehouse, a forklift accident can still damage your inventory. A forklift is large and heavy enough to damage a concrete post and an inventory rack simultaneously. The impact can cause enough movement to shake products loose. And as they fall to the floor, they can become damaged or contaminated.
As mentioned, the use of post protectors gives the driver more time to stop, keeping them from hitting the post at full speed or hitting it at all. By installing protectors in front of every concrete post, you can significantly lower the rate of product damage.
Optimize Warehouse Productivity With Post Protectors
A company that provides a wide range of guard rails, post protectors, and similar products can help you protect your warehouse with cost-effective safety products. After you install these products, you’ll notice a reduction in injuries and property damage. Overall, your warehouse activities will become more efficient, leading to a boost in productivity.