A quick search online for virtually any type of protective guarding — guardrails, bollards, safety gates, kickplates, steel mesh, safety netting, dock barriers and more — will quickly yield a number of standard, off-the-shelf products. Most of these systems and devices are kept in stock and ready for quick shipping to provide an instant solution to your guarding needs, right?

Maybe. Maybe not.

And the cost of getting it wrong could be an injury or fatality, which will prompt an investigation from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as it enforces safety regulations and issues fines for violations. Ineffective protective guarding could also fail to prevent significant damage to products, equipment, or facility structures from falling objects or vehicle impacts. All of these potential scenarios are far more costly than any expense associated with procuring exactly the protective solution your operation needs.

The majority of protective guarding manufacturers, including the members of the Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association (ProGMA), offer a broad range of standard solutions that are customized to meet the precise requirements of a given application. Because these technologies and systems are comprised of standard components that are assembled or accessorized to match a specific purpose, they are frequently not as expensive as buyers might believe.

Further, working with an experienced, qualified solution provider when planning protective guarding solutions allows a facility to leverage the supplier’s expertise in implementing similar systems for a variety of operations and applications. Engaging such a provider will help to determine the appropriate type, configuration, material composition, positioning, impact resistance requirement, anchorage, and functionality of the protective guarding. It will also ensure that the solution will safeguard personnel, inventory, facility structures, equipment, and other assets without impeding productivity. Finally, installing the correct protective system that matches operational needs ensures maximum return on investment, as the guarding will have a longer useful lifespan because it’s been designed to meet precise requirements.

Need additional guidance and recommendations on how to specify the optimal protective solution for your operation? Consult the members of the Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association (ProGMA), who are the industry’s leading suppliers of fixed protective guarding products designed to protect personnel, equipment, and inventory in industrial facilities.