Common Uses for Traffic Bollards Besides Storefronts

If you’re a shop owner or security manager, you know all about how traffic bollards in front of shop doors and windows or garages can prevent damage from cars that lose control or people intentionally trying to crash into buildings (either to vandalize the building or to create a way to burglarize the store), but bollards are used for plenty of other places to control traffic and keep people safe.

Paths in Forest Preserves

In forest preserves, there are often paths paved over for people who wish to ride their bikes, rollerblade, or walk/run alongside nature. Of course, not everyone lives close enough to these paths to simply walk or ride their bikes there, so there are generally parking lots for cars so that people can drive to the forest preserve, then bike, run, etc. on the provided paths. In order to keep cars in their designated lanes, people in charge of park safety have traffic channelizers installed at the entryways to the bike paths so that drivers know they aren’t supposed to be driving on those paved paths. This keeps pedestrians safe.

Event Security

When there’s a special event coming through your town, you might notice bollards blocking off areas that typically allow cars to pass through. Removable bollards are great for special event security, as they can be put up and taken down as needed. Removable security bollards are also great for places that need to be blocked off normally but occasionally need to allow vehicles in—for example, if a venue needs to accommodate for event equipment to load in.

City Bike Lanes

Bike lanes, though usually unprotected, could benefit from having bollards installed on the edges. Traffic bollards would protect cyclists from cars and vice versa, keeping all people in the street safer. In some instances, bollards are used in conjunction with clearly painted lines indicating a lane is specifically for bikes.

Are Bollards Legally Required?

Traffic bollards, typically made out of stainless steel, are short, vertical posts meant to obstruct the passing of traffic. They’re used today mainly to block vehicles from gaining access to certain areas, be it walkways, storefronts, or really anywhere else.  There are different types—permanent and removable bollards, for example—but how do you know if you need them? Of course, if you own property or are in charge of making an area safe from vehicle traffic, they’re helpful. But is it illegal NOT to have them?

While it’s not illegal to not have traffic delineators, the Occupational Safety and Hazards Association (OSHA) does have a set of standards in place to uphold safety. For example, there are color requirements—the bollards must be a shade of canary yellow commonly called “OSHA yellow,” and the height and weight resistance requirements are based on the bollards’ intended uses.

The U.S. Department of State and the Department of Defense also have regulations and approved bollards for security use in public institutions and at embassies. These bollards used in these applications are usually disguised somewhat, painted, or covered in order to look aesthetically pleasing. The bollards at these locations are held to a standard that they must be able to resist 15,000 pounds hitting them at a 50 mph speed. In short, these bollards are pretty powerful against potential intruding traffic.

Sometimes OSHA requires the bollards to be permanent, but not always. If you have questions about the requirements your space may have in regards to traffic bollards being installed, it’s best to contact OSHA for more information that is specific to your location and intended use for the bollards.

That being said, though not all facilities are required to use bollards to control traffic flow, traffic bollards are generally good things to have. If someone owns a store, however, bollards placed in front of the doors or windows can prevent a lot of damage, particularly if someone tries to crash their car through the windows in order to burglarize the shop.

OSHA Regulations and Bollards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was originally created in 1970 with the purpose of increasing on the job safety by reducing injuries and illnesses. Aside from helping business owners and companies protect workers, OSHA enables companies to reduce costs associated with worker’s compensation, missed workdays, and insurance costs.

Since the inception of OSHA, total deaths in the workplace have dramatically reduced as OSHA is able to better support health and safety of businesses through their regulations. OSHA promotes safety in the workplace by:

• Implementing systems to manage health and safety 
• Providing inspections at the workplace 
• Enforcing compliance 
• Promoting educational programs 
• Supporting businesses in health and safety measures 
• Establishing reporting protocols 
• Partnering with individual states and their safety programs 

The need for traffic control is one of the many important elements in workplace safety. Installing safety bollards is a key factor in maintaining this safety and security. They are used in a variety of industries including, construction, emergency management, law enforcement, and transportation. The situation usually dictates the type of security bollards that are needed. Safety bollards are available in many varieties such as surface mount bollards, lockable bollards, and permanent embedded bollards.

Common venues for bollards are concerts or political events. Removable bollards are a great option for these types of events as they allow for easy safety and traffic control when it’s needed, and easy removal after an event.

Certain traffic bollards have OSHA requirements, and there are a variety of stainless steel bollards available that meet OSHA regulations.

Sometimes OSHA requires the bollard to be a permanent fixture, especially when they are used for security measures at a public institution or embassy. OSHA also has for the regulations to ensure compliance.
regulations that pertain to the size, weight, type, and resistance level needed for safety and security based on the intended usage. It is best to check with OSHA

About the author: Pro Traffic Supply offers a wide selection of stainless steel bollards for your traffic safety needs. Their products are durable and affordable, and they offer sleeves for both surface mount and removable bollards. Their traffic safety products can be viewed at www.protrafficsupply.com.