{"id":20379,"date":"2021-09-12T11:54:37","date_gmt":"2021-09-12T18:54:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.speedrackwest.com\/blog\/auto-draft\/"},"modified":"2025-08-13T20:13:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T20:13:15","slug":"pallet-racking-protectors-how-can-you-protect-your-pallet-racking-from-disaster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.speedrackwest.com\/blog\/pallet-racking-protectors-how-can-you-protect-your-pallet-racking-from-disaster\/","title":{"rendered":"Pallet Racking Protectors: How Can You Protect Your Pallet Racking from Disaster?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you have seen any of the disturbing videos of warehouse pallet racking crashing down after taking a hit from a forklift, then you know something about the need for warehouse pallet racking protectors.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, knowing you need pallet racking protection and knowing what type of protection you need are two different matters. This article will explain what pallet column guards<\/a> do and answer some of the frequently asked questions we get about these essential safety products.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The First Line of Defense: Warehouse Bollard Posts and Guard Rails<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While you definitely want protection on your pallet racking itself, it would be better to avoid any sort of collision in the first place. Bollards are posts that are anchored into the ground<\/a>, and make it difficult for equipment like a forklift to access a certain area, or to get too close to your racking in the wrong places. Bollards can come in standard and heavy-duty versions, and can be used to provide space to protect equipment, doorways, racks, or people in common walking areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Guard<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In addition to bollard posts, you may choose to install full pallet rack guard rails<\/a> around key areas, like around your pallet racking or conveyer belts. Guard rails perform the same function as bollard posts, but create more of a “fence” around the protected area for more coverage and to be seen more easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Guard<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pallet Racking Protectors: What are Column Pallet Racking Guards?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a fast-paced warehouse environment, forklift bumps and jolts to your pallet racks are inevitable. However, this repeated impact can compromise your racking system’s structural integrity, possibly leading to product damage and worker injury.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Column guards, also called column protectors or post protectors, provide steel-reinforced protection at the base of the rack uprights. These guards are available in bolt-to-column and bolt-to-floor styles and a range of sizes and heights.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Column
Column guard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Are Column Pallet Racking Guards Effective?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Column guards protect your racking systems and prolong their lifespan. By protecting your uprights with a racking guard, you are minimizing the chances of damage. However, any system will fail if the impact is hard enough.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ability of a column guard to protect your racking depends on how it is made and other factors, the speed and force of the object that hits it, and how often it has been hit.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can You Stack Multiple Column Pallet Racking Guards?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes, you can stack many of the bolt-on versions of column guards on top of each other to increase the layers of protection.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are the Different Types of Pallet Racking Protectors?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are three main types of column guards:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n