What is Edge Protection Barriers

Edge Protection Barriers

Working at height can be dangerous, but with effective edge protection barriers in place, risks are mitigated. This is particularly important on construction sites, where there are often unprotected open edges. In fact, falls from height are one of the leading causes of workplace accidents. Whether you are looking for an industrial edge protection system to protect the edges of a warehouse, or simply for a temporary guardrail to prevent people falling off a roof during repairs, there is a wide choice available to suit a range of applications.

Also known as collective protection, edge protection barriers are temporary fencing systems designed to prevent falls from height. Typically, they are used to provide safety on rooftops, but can also be installed on other surfaces where there is a sudden change in level. These solutions are ideal for use on buildings, as they can be easily removed at the end of a project or reconfigured when the requirement changes. This makes them a versatile and straightforward solution to work with, requiring no specialist PPE or training.

There are many different types of edge protection barrier available, including tubular and mesh. The majority of these systems are classed as ‘guardrail’ solutions and comply with EN 13374 (or similar). These include fixed guardrails that are permanently fixed to the parapet wall, and modular systems that connect together to form a guardrail. The latter is popular on construction projects as it provides a quick and easy to use solution, plus the option to add on other safety at height equipment such as toe boards or handrails.

What is Edge Protection Barriers?

In addition, there are collapsible guardrail solutions that fold away when not in use. This is a particularly popular option for heritage sites and churches where visual aesthetics are important, as it allows the rail to be hidden out of sight, while still providing an effective safety at height solution. There are also a number of clamped systems that attach to structures like tanks, bridge parapet upstands and concrete slabs, where it is not practical to fix the edge protection into the structure.

XT Barrier is another example of a clamped system, and is a great solution for excavated areas on building projects. It is a robust, lightweight temporary fencing system that reduces the risks to civilians and members of the workforce that are in the vicinity of excavations, by forming a protective barrier between them.

The XT barrier is an industry-established connection detail that has been developed to meet the demands of the UK construction sector, and has been tested to BS EN 1337-4:2004 to ensure that it can be safely used on construction sites. This means that the XT barrier is capable of withstanding loads applied perpendicularly, horizontally and vertically to the structure, as well as lateral loads that are applied diagonally. It is also UV and temperature resistant, allowing it to be safely used in extreme conditions. To learn more about the XT barrier or to order yours, contact us now.