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Repairing or replacing a damaged post is a costly project in terms of materials and wasted manpower hours. You can avoid these expenses by installing steel post protectors in front of each post.

Rather than striking the post, the protector will serve as a buffer that prevents a deforming impact. There are several types of post protectors available, so it's important to consider a few factors to make sure you're getting the best style for your needs.

Choose the Appropriate Size

Most post damage occurs when the counterweight or back end of the forklift crashes into the post. Due to the height of the counterweight, the full length of the post can suffer damage like cracks, dents, and paint chipping. An especially forceful impact could even uproot the post, requiring the installation of a replacement post.

When choosing a protector to prevent post damage, make sure the guard is tall enough to insulate the entire post. Installing a protector that's too small leaves a large part of the post unprotected. Even if an accidental impact damages only one part of the post, you could be left with a costly replacement project on your hands.

Estimate the Impact Risk for Each Post

Over time, you'll notice that certain rack locations get more traffic than others in your facility. Typically, the most frequently used racks are those closest to manufacturing lines or shipping docks. Forklift drivers rarely use locations that are farther away since doing so increases the time it takes to pull products to fill orders.

This evaluation is necessary because it will tell you which racks see a higher volume of traffic. More traffic means more risk of impacts and accidents. As such, these locations are the best places for post protectors. Installing protectors in front of posts in these busy areas first will help you save on damage repairs immediately.

Measure the Space You Have Available

Post guards come in a variety of dimensions. While choosing protectors that safeguard the full height of the post is important, you should also consider the available space around the post.

For instance, you wouldn't want to use a wide protector with a protruding V-shape if you have limited space around the post. Measuring your available floor space will help you refine your search for post protectors with the right dimensions.

In addition to the shape of the post, consider the size of the mounting base. A larger base won't fit near posts in corners or those surrounded by machinery. Measuring the area before purchasing your post protectors will allow you to avoid a frustrating trial-and-error process.

Determine the Most Common Types of Impacts

It can also help to review accident reports over the previous year to see what types of incidents occur most often. You might find that some areas in your warehouse suffer frequent counterweight impacts while others are more susceptible to fork impacts and punctures.

Looking at the most common types of accidents in your warehouse and where they happen will tell you which styles of post protectors you'll need for your facility.

In areas that see a higher number of fork impacts, V-shaped protectors will deflect the forks before they can damage the posts. In areas where there tend to be more counterweight collisions, use rounded guards that can absorb the force of a stronger impact.

Account for the Rack System Your Facility Uses

Every warehouse is different, and therefore, requires different post-protection solutions.

While drive-in racks are still the most common, some warehouses also use pallet flow racks. Other storage solutions include push-back racks, selective racks, and VNA (very narrow aisle) racks. Each of these systems utilizes space differently, which will affect the amount of room you have to install your post protectors.

When protecting posts in a VNA system, you'll have limited space to work with. This will require you to use thin, narrow guards that won't interfere with a VNA forklift's operation. You'll have considerably more leeway in a drive-in-style racking system.

The most important thing is to choose the style or styles that offer the most protection without impeding the efficiency of your warehouse.

Browse a Variety of Post Protector Styles

You can compare different types of post protectors, guardrails, and other warehouse protection products by visiting your online supplier of choice. Browsing the wide variety of products on the market can help you make a more informed decision when it comes to securing your concrete posts.

Make post protectors an essential part of your guardrail system for a safer warehouse environment.