Warehouses are a vital part of the modern economy.

The aim is to store a large number of goods safely and securely before they are ready to go to the consumer. The structures can be massive, especially for companies that deal with a big inventory or stock large products. Often you will see columns in these buildings to help support and stabilise the structure. You may need column & corner protection to preserve them, especially if there are vehicles moving around in the area.

Forklifts and warehouses tend to go hand in hand. You usually find several of the vehicles in each warehouse. They play a crucial role in making it easier and safer to move and store goods. We want to take a closer look at this and then touch on why it is important to protect columns.

Traditional warehousing

In the past it was trickier to warehouse goods. Initially the only option was to rely on people to physically carry and stack them. That could require a lot of labour and there would be limits on the weights they could carry.

The first innovation was to use systems of ropes or cables and pulleys. It would make it easier to move heavy goods and place them. However, there was a risk. If a system were to fail it could send the load crashing down. It could mean serious injury for anyone underneath or nearby.


The development of forklifts was fantastic. It meant a single vehicle could carry heavier loads and place them more efficiently. That meant businesses did not need as much labour and could speed up operations. Armco Barrier Suppliers UK. Warehouses could also boost their capacity because it was now possible to create tall stacks, even with heavy items.

The danger with columns and importance of column & corner protection

While the vehicles helped to revolutionise warehousing, it isn't without risks. Primarily the biggest danger is to employees who could be accidentally struck by a forklift. The key thing to reduce the hazard is to ensure drivers have experience and are attentive. People on foot also need to know to look out for the forklifts and be alert. It can help to segregate forklift and foot traffic to minimise interactions too.

There is another danger though. Forklifts could damage the actual structure. Columns are at the biggest risk, especially if they are close to where the vehicles move around. In many facilities they are part of racks, so there is a regular interaction. A heavy impact could compromise the whole building. Even regular small impact could cause issues over time.

The solution here is column & corner protection. There are lots of different products you can use to safeguard vital parts of the structure. For example there are plastic protectors that can take the brunt of impacts from various angles. They effectively preserve the columns.

Talk to us about protecting columns and corners

Barrier Mart has a lot of experience in the warehousing sector. We appreciate the risks to the structure and employees here, especially when it involves vehicles. That is why we offer quality solutions to keep everything safe. Clients can rely on them and also expect to save on costs for things like building upkeep and repairs.

So, if you want to explore some of the options for column & corner protection, browse our website. The space saving designs are particularly useful. You can also contact us if you need specific products.