When you are performing work at heights or in dangerous areas, how certain can you be that your employees are protected?
Falls rank among the primary causes of workplace accidents, yet how much effort are you placing on keeping your workers safe?
Edge protection installed guardrails and safety guardrail systems are among the top solutions for fall prevention and remaining in compliance with regulations.
These safety measures are necessary not only to reduce accidents but also to provide safe working conditions on any work site, from construction building sites to factory floors.
Are you prepared to act and safeguard your employees? Let’s talk about why these guardrails are needed to protect your employees and your projects from compliance issues.
Why Edge Protection Guardrails Matter
Edge protection guardrails are railings placed on upper levels to prevent falls. Applied very frequently on roofs, scaffolds, and platforms, guardrails create a protected edge barrier that safeguards workers from accidents in a standing-high work situation.
Placed from steel-like products like steel, PVC, or aluminum, guardrail protection systems are solid and durable, with sufficient protection from turbulent weather, active labor activity, or abrasive landscaping material.
Why Safety Guardrail Systems are Needed
Safety guardrail systems are needed to prevent accidents in the vicinity of fall hazards, such as edges, stairways, and openings. The systems include a physical barrier that will limit employees from falling over at a very distant point.
Guardrails usually come installed on roofs, stairs, and balconies in an attempt to prevent employees from slipping inadvertently and make the workplace secure.
Apart from fall protection, safety guardrails are employed for other purposes:
- Falls Prevention: Overall, the intent is to act as a barrier to the prevention of dangerous falls.
- Increased Visibility: Extremely reflective or visible materials become more noticeable, especially in low-visibility conditions.
- Reduced Liability: Having such systems in place signals being code- and regulation-compliant, which lowers liability for legal issues.
Safety Guardrail System Types
There are various safety guardrail systems, and each is used in a different kind of workspace. They are:
- Fixed Guardrails: Permanent attachment to the building, offering permanent protection against falling. Suitable for long-term usage, such as roofing guardrails.
- Temporary Guardrails: For short-term works, they are portable and easy to install and remove.
- Freestanding Guardrails: Non-penetration guardrails that don’t have to perform any structural task, suitable for temporary fixations or when drilling is hard.
Benefits of Edge Protection Guardrails
Safety of Workers: The most significant benefit of edge protection guardrails is minimizing the risk of falling to a minimal extent. Putting up a barrier prevents workers from falling off edges and thus stays safe.
Compliance with the Law
Safety guardrail systems and edge protection are required by occupational health and safety regulations such as WHS and OSHA. Installation keeps businesses up to date with the code, thus preventing penalties and fines.
Cost-Effective
Guardrails are cost-effective safety measures with low maintenance and strong durability. Reuse also offers a high rate of return on investment.
Durability
Guardrail systems are designed to endure negative environmental factors like weather, high traffic, and construction activity.
Ease of Installation
The majority of guardrail systems are installed quickly, therefore making them easy and flexible to install on various work sites.
The choice of the most suitable edge protection guardrails and guardrail safety systems depends on the site’s requirements. The following should be considered:
- Site Type: While permanent sites will require fixed guardrails, temporary sites may also be provided with portable units as an option.
- Height and Exposure: Exposed and high sites may be augmented with reinforced guardrails or additional stabilizers.
- Compliance: Ensure that the system chosen conforms to all safety regulations at local and international levels in order to avoid hefty fines.
Professional Installation Is Crucial
Guardrails are mandatory, but proper installation counts. Proper installation by a professional ensures the systems are adequately anchored and in their correct positions according to safety standards. A professional service can even offer periodic maintenance, which provides the guardrail systems remain in their best working condition until project completion.
Stop Falls, Install Guardrails
Edge protection guardrails and guardrail safety systems are the keys to the success of a safe-to-work-at-height zone. They provide safe falls, enable legal compliance with safety, and are economical in avoiding accidents on the premises. Proper guardrails, temporary or permanent installation, result in guaranteed protection for the workforce and improved productivity.
Is your staff’s safety a top priority for you?
Do you want to give them a productive working environment? VG Steel is here for your support. You can contact our team at vgironsales9@gmail.com or call us at +60143624014.