Guard Railing System

One of the most important factors in creating a safe environment or preventing a fall hazard is the use of a guardrail system. Guardrails are designed to create a physical barrier that will help reduce the risk of falls, collisions, or other hazards. Guard rail systems include roads and highways, construction sites, staircases and walkways, bridges and overpasses, roof edges, sports facilities, or pedestrian areas.

What is a Guardrail System?

As previously stated, guardrail systems are a fundamental portion of public safety that can be used in many ways. The guard rails are commonly made with steel, aluminum, wood, or glass. However, the guardrails provided at Hobb Dock & Door are created by Omega Industrial Products, and Ideal Shield is constructed with steel. Depending on the location, the guard rails must adhere to the building codes and safety standards. These standards help prevent accidents and ensure the safety of the people and the property. Due to the importance of the guard rails, regular inspection and maintenance are required to keep them in excellent working condition. 

Smooth Surfaces required for Guardrail

Guardrails must have a smooth surface. It helps prevent injuries to workers such as punctures and lacerations, and helps in protecting clothing and preventing slipping. All our railings feature powder coating for optimum protection against dust. OSHA also conducts an inspection of all lateral end rails in order to prevent a reversible bridge from being over-hangable at terminals. Except in situations where overhangs are not projected hazards the exception is not. Similarly, steel and plastic bandings are not allowed on top rails or mid rails, and guardrails must reach an height less than 0.75 inches (0.6 cm) in diameter.

Railing Height for Guard Rail

Generally, the height at the edge of the top rail must exceed 42 inches or fewer than three inches (8 cm) above the walking-work area. A maximum width of 45 inches (114cm) must be obtained if the guardrail system meets all of the following criteria. Guard rails must be used on platforms above 4 feet or over the floor. Guard rails must be 44 feet in height to the upper surface of the upper rail to the ground.

Guardrails at Point-of-Access Holes

When used at points where access points can be obtained (e.g. ladderways), the entrance for guardrail systems needs a gate with a sliding or swivelling gate. The gate must have top and mid-rails (or an equivalent intermediate component) that comply as described below. Another option would be offset by allowing employees to fill the gap to create a guardrail system opening. 

Portable Guardrails | Permanent, Temporary Guardrail Systems

The fall safety guardrail system has been approved by OSHA for use as fall protection barriers. This system does not require training or maintenance and is therefore ideal for temporary construction security rails or protection from temporary fall risk. Engineered Fall Protection can provide you with a solution to all your railing needs.

Types of Industrial Guard Rail We Offer

   Here are Hobbs Dock & Door, we offer a few different guardrail systems options: 

• Safety Guardrail – a safety guardrail is the standard guardrail for a location, whether for a building, construction site, or a roadway. 
• Removable Guardrail Section and Gates – A removable guardrail and gate is a system that will provide temporary protection or could also be used to access control in different industrial or construction settings. These guardrails are modular and can be installed and moved quickly and easily. 
• Guardrail Mounting Posts – A guardrail mounting post are rail supports that runs vertically, which is fundamental in installing guardrail systems. These posts serve as the anchor points of the guardrail system, ensuring it stays in place and provides stability. 
• Guardrail Caps, Flairs, and Accessories – These features can be added to a guardrail system. Depending on what is added, they can improve the functionality and safety or simply for the aesthetics. 
• Guardrail Brackets – A guardrail bracket is a piece used to attach the guardrail to the support posts, structural elements, or other surfaces. 
• Standard Guardrail – A standard guardrail typically refers to the common uses of a guardrail for road and highway safety. 
• Heavy Duty Guardrail – a heavy-duty guardrail is built to stand firm against a higher level of impact force than the standard guardrails. These are typically used in areas with greater risk for heavy or high-speed vehicles. 
• Custom Guardrail – A custom guardrail is exactly as it sounds; it is a system designed to meet the specific needs of a particular application. A custom guardrail is common when installing them for the home to have a more pleasing design. While particularly used for decoration, they also help the protection from fall hazard. They could even be used when performing hoisting operations on tall buildings. 
• Goal Post Dock Door Protection – A goal post dock door protection is commonly used at loading dock areas found at warehouses, distribution centers, and industrial facilities. The primary job of these guardrails is to protect the dock doors, building walls, and equipment from damage that could be caused by trucks or forklifts during the loading and unloading of goods. 

Our Guardrail System Installation

 Installing the many different kinds of guardrail systems follows a similar path. The first step in each installation process is identifying and designing the layout based on the safety standards. Afterward, we gather all the necessary materials and tools and prepare the site for installation. We will assemble the guardrail posts once all the materials and the installation site are ready. The next step is to ensure the guardrail posts are securely anchored, allowing us to attach the guardrail rails with the brackets. After installation, we secure the guardrail’s alignment, height, and stability. We finish the process by conducting inspections and tests and ensuring all required safety markings. 

What areas can a Guardrail Protect? 

Guardrails are extremely versatile and can be used in several areas, providing safety in many ways. The following are a few of the most common applications of the guardrail systems: 

• Roads and Highways – When people think of a guardrail, they almost always think of the streets or highways. They are essential in ensuring the vehicles stay on the street, particularly in areas with cliffs or hazards. 
• Bridges and Overpasses – guardrails on bridges provide a similar function to those on the road or highways. These systems ensure none of the vehicles go off the sides of the bridge. 
• Construction Sites – Another common use for guardrails is within construction sites. It is very common to see the moveable guardrails, helping ensure the safety of the workers. 
• Staircases and Walkways – guardrails are also almost always found on staircases, balconies, terraces, and walkways for fall protection.
• Pedestrian Areas – Guardrails are commonly found in urban areas to help create safe pathways for pedestrians. 
• Loading Docks – Guardrails at loading docks are extremely important to ensure the workers and equipment for fall protection and impact from trucks. 
• Sports Facilities – while it may not be the primary use, guardrails are essential at sports facilities. They can separate spectators from the playing areas. 
• Waterfronts – Similar to the guardrails on bridges, guardrails along waterfronts also help ensure people are safe from falling into the water.

What are Safety Barrier Guard Rails?

Safety Barrier Guard Rails protect people, walkways, machinery and buildings from collisions. The safety guard rails provided by Omega Industrial Products and Ideal Shield are constructed from the toughest steel and provide non-penetrable support and protection.

Our Industrial Guard Rail line of products include:

• Safety Guardrail
• Removable Guardrail and Gates
• Guardrail Mounting Posts
• Guardrail Caps, Flairs and Accessories
• Guardrail Brackets
• Standard Guardrail
• Heavy Duty Guardrail
• Custom Guardrail
• Goal Post Dock Door Protection

Guardrail System Advantages

Guardrail systems offer many advantages for different applications. No matter where the guardrails are placed, they will enhance the safety and protection of the area, like fall protection or safety enhancement. The following are a few of the advantages of adding a guardrail. 

• Safety Enhancement: one of the most obvious advantages of the guardrails is that they prevent accidents and minimize the damage from collisions. It also offers fall protection as well.
• Vehicle Containment: the guardrails are an excellent option to help contain vehicles and keep them in their lanes. 
• Pedestrian Protection: guardrails are a great option to help protect pedestrians by separating them from traffic or fall protection from elevated heights.
• Fall Protection: Guardrails in elevated areas help provide a barrier, protecting people from falling. Cities regularly implement fall protections near bridges.
• Reduced Property Damage: Guardrails protecting buildings or other structures help minimize property damage that could occur in an accident.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three components of the guard rail system?

A normal guardrail system consists of three main components: guardrail beams/rails, guardrail posts, and fasteners and brackets. 

Why are Guard Rails used?

Guardrails are used for safety and protective services in a specific area. Depending on the location, the guardrails must adhere to certain guidelines and codes to pass inspection. 

What is the Difference Between a Guard Rail and a Safety Rail?

While handrail systems are meant to stop a fall on stairs or ramps, guards assist in reducing a fall on an open surface. Guards must be placed along the open sides of the exit routes when the vertical drop exceeds 30 inches. 12 December 2020.

Conclusion

Backed by years of experience at Hobbs Dock & Door, our service is comparable to no one! Our team is readily available to use dock equipment and provides reliable door solutions and expert installation and maintenance services. Call us today to fill us in with your specific needs.

Other Safety Equipment Types We Have:

Guard Railing System | Hand Rails | Quick Structural Stair System | Bollard System | Wheel Chock Accessories | Trailer Safety Jack | Rack Shield/Guard | Protective Wall System | Bumper Post | Goal Post Door Guard | Osha Floor Markings