Safety bollards are short posts that provide impact resistance and break in deterrence in warehouse and workplace environments. You will frequently see bollards in car parks and along footpaths, but where they should be stationed, and how they should be spaced in workplace scenarios is not as well observed or understood.

In this blog, Workplace Pedestrian Safety looks at when and where warehouse-based businesses benefit from safety bollards and give some guidance on bollard spacing.

Loading Dock Bollard Spacing

Loading docks are an important loading entry and exit point for large vehicles into buildings. Often comprising large roller doors and hi vis markings, loading docks are frequently busy as inventory is loaded and unloaded. However, due to large vehicles needing to back up into the loading dock, the exterior is at risk of being hit and sustaining damage. To reduce this risk, bollards are placed on either side of the loading door and used to mark the width of the loading dock opening. They also provide a buffer against unintentional impact, while the bright colours and rear-view window visibility of the bollards makes it easier for drivers to properly align their trucks.

Loading dock bollards can also be used for warehouse security purposes. Removable bollards can be positioned in front of the loading dock doors between business hours to deter break ins from ram raiding – a method of stealing warehouse goods by crashing through the loading dock doors.

Bollards can be placed around the loading dock doors at the discretion of the owner; however, we recommend around a 200m gap on either side of the entryway to ensure good clearance.

Electrical and Utility Protection Bollards Spacing

Most buildings and warehouses will have utility points and machinery that need to be well protected from moving vehicles and tampering. Similarly, inventory and large, heavy pallet racking may also need to be secure from vehicle impact, including forklifts and other machinery that may have large extended features.

The extending length of forklifts and other machinery is often longer than its wheel span, so before deciding how far apart you should place your safety bollards, you should first evaluate how far away they need to be from the object they are protecting to avoid long machinery. From there, ask yourself whether pedestrians will need access between the bollards or not. If not, they can be placed closer together and provide a stronger barrier.

Building Protection Bollard Spacing

If you own a building site then safety bollards are highly recommended to provide an impact resistant barrier around the perimeter of your building, but especially where there are doors, windows, or any other vulnerable structures. Steel bollards are frequently used to provide a high level of impact resistance and can be decorated to match the exterior of your building or display your company logo.

We recommend spacing bollards just under one metre apart in front of vulnerable parts of the premises, to protect your building against vehicle intrusion, while still allowing pedestrians to enter all building points as required.

Is it Time to Protect your Business?

Contact Workplace Pedestrian Safety today to install bollards and wheel stops in your car park for the highest level of safety.