From warehouses to construction sites, there are a great many spaces which require special precautions to be taken. Fortunately, with the right kind of equipment, making a work area as safe as possible is a breeze.
One of the most important and common safety measures taken by businesses and work crews is the installation of safety gates. These industrial gates help ensure the safety of workers by creating a barrier between them and a large drop or a dangerous piece of equipment.
If you are in the market for an industrial safety gate, you may be wondering what you should be looking for as you shop around. The answer to this question varies for each business. However, the tips below should help you get started on your hunt for the ideal safety gate.
Pinpoint Application
There are many different kinds of safety gates. Therefore, a person looking to protect those working on ladders would purchase something different than those needing to block off a particularly dangerous piece of machinery.
For this reason, it is important to carefully consider the application of your gate before you begin shopping. Knowing exactly what the gate will be used for will make the whole process much easier.
Measure Carefully
Once you know exactly what you will be using the gate for, you can begin ruling out certain options based on size, shape, and features. The first step in this narrowing-down process is to measure the space where the gate will be installed. While taking measurements of your space, be sure to be as precise as possible.
These specific measurements will help you create a shortlist of safety gate options that will work for your needs. They will also help ensure the gate you end up choosing fits properly into the area it is meant for.
Consider Safety Gate Features
With measurements taken into consideration, features are the next thing to think about. For instance, many people prefer self-closing gates over their manual-closing counterparts due to the increased safety they provide. These gates are spring-loaded, meaning they will close behind the user each and every time.
Other features you might consider include electric warning lights to indicate open gates, toe boards, bumpers to protect existing products, and ease of installation. All of these provide extra protection that may or may not be necessary for you and your line of work.
Think About Finish
For safety reasons, most gates come in bright yellow. While this finish is perfect for most applications, some individuals may prefer a more neutral finish (such as silver) in order to avoid creating an eyesore. This kind of decision is generally made in situations where the gate may be viewed by the public. The change in hue does not affect the performance of the equipment.
Still, finish is something to think about before you make any purchase, as it could make all the difference in your satisfaction with the safety gate. This is especially true if your gate will be viewed by people outside of your work crew or staff.
Check Standards
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a range of requirements that all safety gates must meet. These requirements are set based on what is safest for those putting the product to use. Therefore, it’s important to ensure all safety gates meet these requirements before purchase or installation. For example, gates in food production facilities may also require stainless steel and other food processing requirements.
As you can see, there are a variety of things one must consider before investing in an industrial safety gate. However, by keeping the list above in mind, you can rest assured that you will find the perfect fit for your specific situation.
Are you ready to start your search for the ideal safety gate? Contact us today for more information.
The post The Perfect Fit: Choosing the Safety Gate That’s Right for You appeared first on Dakota Safety.