Construction Safety Barrier Fence - Why and Where

If you were to go on a drive, you will probably see some sort of construction. Maybe a new skyrise is going up or the area's sewer system is being repaired or, on the more destructive side, you might see some heavy demolition with massive cranes and machinery taking down entire city blocks or bridges. Even though these sites will vary in size and location, they are all dangerous and should be treated the same when it comes to keeping both workers and bystanders in the surrounding area safe.

Construction Safety

We as a society are more distracted than ever these days so it isn’t hard to imagine how easily one could get injured while on or near a building site. Most people will notice a crane, often miles away from the site, and become a little more cautious of their surroundings. This is for good reason, they are the most dangerous piece of equipment in the construction industry injuring both workers and bystanders every year¹. However, bulldozers, dump trucks, backhoes, and excavators are highly dangerous as well and each presents its own set of hazards. They can strike, trap, or crush people. Even though this equipment and the dangers associated with them are kept mostly within a designated area, we need to make sure the perimeters are highly visible to prevent workers and bystanders from unknowingly walking into harm's way. We can do this with a safety barrier fence. This will alert people that there is danger present and that they should be paying close attention to their movements and surroundings.

Walkway Safety

Another hazardous area that is often overlooked is the sidewalk, especially in a bustling metropolitan area. Distracted walkers often encounter uneven pavement, potholes, cracks, tree roots, or construction which is usually the result of underground utility work and have even fallen through an open manhole³. As a result, they can suffer broken bones or other serious injuries should they trip or not notice something. Placing a safety barrier fence around these troublesome areas is a great way to increase visibility and indicate a hazard is present. We can’t prevent distracted people, but we can help keep them safe.

Skyrise Safety

In the construction industry, the leading cause of death for construction workers is falling. There were 1,061 fatalities in 2019 and 403 of them were from falls3. Obviously, fall safety nets are a necessity for any site but they are the last line of defense should a worker fall. Harnesses and other personal protection equipment are important too, but when dealing with people working at substantial heights, such as on high-rise projects, we need to do everything we can to prevent a person from accidentally becoming airborne. The best type of safety barrier fence we can implement here is guardrail safety netting. Guardrail safety netting is usually fluorescent orange and is installed around any opening on the floor or along the perimeter of each level of the building. It is highly visible which should alert your workers to the end of the surface and prevent them from walking over.

What's the best solution for you?

Now that we’ve discussed where and why you need safety barrier fences, what’s the best option for you? This will obviously depend on the specific application but our plastic safety barrier fence is reusable and resistant to tears. It withstands UV damage, won’t rust or weaken, and is easy to store, move, and install. Economy safety barrier fence, which is an ideal solution for large sites and areas with more pleasant weather conditions, is the most cost-effective solution. Made of high-density polyethylene, it is available in two colors, orange and green, with a diamond mesh.

Our heavy-duty plastic safety barrier fence is best suited for the most rugged and industrial, high-traffic construction sites. It is also made of high-density polyethylene with a diamond mesh but is available in three colors, black, orange, and green. Because of its elasticity, this fence will not fall victim to the “sail effect” as seen with other types of fencing.

For the high-in-the-sky projects, our guardrail safety netting is a vital solution to keep your workers safe. It is made from PVC coated polyester with reinforced borders and meets both NFPA 701 Method II & Boston Fire Marshall Test BFD IX-1 and NYC Local Law#61 as well as OSHA requirements. With a 90% density percentage in fluorescent orange, this netting will be seen.

We want your construction site to be as safe as possible. No matter how big or small the project, there is always danger and we can help you save lives. Have questions? Feel free to give us a call at 1-800-331-2973 and we would be happy to assist you in selecting the right fence for your project.

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