Meet OSHA Standards with Safety Bollards

When you work in an industry that involves using heavy machinery that can potentially be dangerous to the employees who work on or around it, there will definitely be some OSHA standards that your business has to meet in order to avoid injuries, lawsuits, or OSHA violations. Depending on the business you run or the type of location you’re in, there will likely be different guidelines you need to meet. Let’s take a look at the different types of things that you may be accountable for.

Security Uses

For some areas, such as public institutions and embassies with security concerns, bollards are often required. In addition to simply being required, there are resistance requirements as well—for instance, the Department of State has a security bollard standard of 15,000 pounds resistance and 50 mph crash speed. In other words, in these applications, the bollard must be able to stop a vehicle that is traveling up to 50 as well as stop a vehicle that is up to 15,000 pounds. Organizations may also install bollards designed to be lowered or removed if required. This is ideal for places that don’t have major security restrictions.

Industrial Uses

Some structures may have restrictions or requirements calling for protection on front of machines that could pose a risk to employees. Heavy machinery that could be dangerous if approached too closely or that might be tripped over should be clearly marked and guarded off with security bollards. Bollards that are used for this sort of application are often painted bright yellow (there are OSHA standards for specific colors) to alert passersby or workers that they are approaching machinery that could be dangerous. This can not only protect your workers from getting hurt, but it can protect your business from having to deal with workers compensation cases if someone is hurt by a machine that was not properly marked off.

Color and Height Requirements

Depending on your location and the application of the bollards, there may be specific regulations that you have to meet in order to be compliant with standards. It’s important to know what these regulations are, so contact OSHA if you are unsure if your place of business needs security or safety bollards.