There are various industries and places that utilize guardrails. They cannot be found only on the roads, but also on construction sites, warehouses, and others. Their main purpose is to make sure all these areas are safe by preventing all kinds of accidents.
Of course, in order for these things to properly protect people, they need to meet all kinds of rules and regulations, as well as code specifications, otherwise, they won’t be able to keep the accidents at bay.
If you would like to further explore guardrails, their purpose, and their role, then you’ve come to the right place, because, today this informative guide is going to focus on it. So let’s better understand the correlation between the guardrails and accidents.
The Link Between The Guardrails And OSHA Regulations
Before you get familiar with all the benefits that come with guardrails, you first need to know what OSHA regulations are, and why it’s crucial for every business to comply with them. So what’s their point?
Namely, they define guardrails as some type of physical barriers that are installed in different places that pose a risk for people. They are designed to prevent accidents, that can often result not only in severe injuries but also be lethal.
According to the rules issued by the OSHA regulations, guardrails must be placed in locations where there’s a certain risk of falling six feet or beyond.
Their Importance Cannot Be Stressed Enough!
Let’s take warehouses as an example. At these places, it’s of huge importance to have a double high guardrail because it is capable of creating a physical separation between different regions within the workplace. It can be described as a protective barrier that is not here solely to prevent accidents, but to prevent unauthorized access to restricted places as well.
This type of guardrail is also able to prevent collisions in warehouses, where these sorts of incidents occur all the time, especially when forklifts and other machinery are involved. However, when you have guardrails installed, then the likelihood of accidents is drastically reduced.
As previously concluded, they aren’t only used in warehouses, but on the roads too. In these instances, they can prevent any obstructions, and, simultaneously, decrease any chances of serious crashes and injuries.
Aside from being protective, they serve as physical and visual reminders (of all kinds of accidents and hazards) as well. By making out the edges of elevated spaces, they are creating a safe work environment, and significantly reducing the risk of falls.
Their intention is to consistently remind employers and their workforce to work within the safe zone, and to do whatever they can to be cautious. Another great thing about them is the fact that they are usually loaded with numerous phenomenal features, like midrails and toe boards.
So what’s the point of having them? Namely, toe boards do not allow different things to fall off from elevated platforms, which means that they are safeguarding not only the inventory but employees too!
On the flip side, mid rails are designed to provide an extra barrier between the ground and the top rail of the guardrail, taking stability and safety up a notch.
Are There Any Other Benefits Of Guardrails?
Aside from the ones that were previously discussed (referring to the prevention of accidents), there are a couple more that should also be brought up. Guardrails are frequently perceived as a shield because they safeguard both the infrastructure and the equipment from any type of damage.
If by any chance a collision happens, this system is going to fully absorb this impact and prevent any further contact, expanding the life of various constructions, machinery, and many other things that may be harmed in these instances.
Although you may still need to deal with particular expenses caused by collisions, they are going to be dramatically reduced precisely because of the guardrail system. Is there any other benefit that should be added?
Guardrails play an integral role when it comes to organizing pedestrian and traffic movement within certain work areas. They make clear pathways, showcase which zones are restricted and which aren’t, and ultimately, enable a seamless flow of people and vehicles, which means that everything is going to be a lot more effective, there’ll no longer be any congestion, and above everything, everyone is going to be and feel much safer.
Safety Tips That Will Help You Keep The Guardrail Accidents At Bay
There are numerous preventative measures that are supposed to be implemented as far as this system goes, and by far, the most crucial one is related to code compliance. However, since there’s no guarantee that everyone (who’s supposed to) is going to be compliant, then it’s up to you to prepare yourself (as much as possible) if the person is negligent.
There are specific highway safety practices that should be followed in these situations, that are going to lower the risk of incidents and injuries. They include the following:
- You must pay close attention to the traffic signs and rules, and more importantly, obey them
- Do not exceed the allowed speed limit, especially if you’re dealing with poor weather conditions
- Do not permit anything or anyone to distract you
- Be extremely careful when you’re driving close to the guardrails
So what are you going to do if you notice that a particular guardrail system isn’t compliant, or even if it is, it isn’t maintained the right way? One of the best things that you can do in these situations, is to contact the authorities so they can thoroughly inspect the guardrail.
If they notice that there is truly something wrong with it or that it is non-compliant, then the owners will be forced to pay a substantial amount of money (as a fine) for violations. In addition, if you’ve been injured because of a guardrail system, then you should take legal action against the liable side.
Frequently, it looks as if a lot of people take the guardrail system for granted, failing to realize how massive its role is in protecting people, infrastructure, etc. We honestly hope that after reading this article, you’ll become more appreciative of it.
