While safety is the number one priority of most industrial facilities, sometimes safety measures—such as pedestrian and traffic barriers and guardrails—aren’t as widely deployed as they could be. Or, dangers may have become overlooked as managers and workers go about their day-to-day tasks. That’s why the members of the Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association (ProGMA) have developed a free “Protective Guarding Checklist” to help operations assess key areas within their existing operations and facilities for locations that could be made safer with the addition of guardrails or other protective barriers.

The checklist includes assessments of the following facility locations:

Pedestrian Aisles – Defined and physically separated from industrial vehicle traffic, conveyors, robotic equipment, and other hazardous areas with guardrails.

Automated Equipment – Presence of perimeter guarding that meets Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and/or Robotic Industry of America (RIA) guidelines.

Overhead Conveyors – Installation of guarding that safely contains falling objects.

Rack and Shelving – Application of guarding that prevents loose objects from falling into walkways, work areas, or flues.

Material Handling Entry Points – Existence of guarding that protects fixed equipment and work cells from vehicle impacts.

Pallet Rack Uprights – Installation of protection against impacts in high traffic areas, tunnel bays, and end of rows.

Building Columns – Existence of guarding around key facility structures.

Elevated Work Platforms – Application of guarding to prevent people or products from falling off mezzanines, load/unload platforms, pick modules, and other high elevation work areas.

Shipping Docks – Presence of guarding that protects against impact damage, falls, or unauthorized entry.

Vertical Ladders – Installation of fall protection.

Fixed Structures – Application of protection against industrial vehicle impacts around in-plant offices, electrical equipment, racks, sprinkler mainlines, and more.

Work Cells – Verification that personnel in designated work cells are isolated from vehicle traffic.

The checklist is available as a free download.

Looking for more information about guardrails and protective barriers? The members of the Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association (ProGMA) are available for guidance and recommendations.