You are visiting the Canada Kee Safety website from United States. Would you like to go to the United States site?
“Interior” can conjure up a contradictory sense of place. The interior of a building is obviously inside; however, the geographical interior of a country is decidedly outdoors. It is a vast wilderness, lurking with danger from wild animals, rugged terrain, and severe weather. In comparison, the interior of a building arouses a sense of security and comfort.
Yet, the interior of a commercial, institutional, or industrial building can also be dangerous to people and the facilities, primarily due to fall and impact hazards. The strategic use of railing and barrier systems combined with overhead rigid rail will provide regulatory-compliant safety solutions that will also improve operational efficiency.
Falls are a leading cause of workplace injuries, with a reported 20,233 lost-time claims due to falls in 2023. Injuries and damage resulting from forklift accidents are also a significant problem. In addition to the negative effect on an organization’s bottom line, the consequences of a fall or forklift accident for the worker can be devastating. Understanding the fall and impact hazards inside a facility is critical to begin to address them.
From the ground floor to the highest level, guardrails provide a physical barrier for workers between potential fall zones and forklift traffic. Modular railings enable customization to fit specific workspaces and are easy to install—no welding or drilling—minimizing disruption to operations. They can also be reconfigured if the needs of the facility change.
For strength, durability, corrosion resistance, and regulatory compliance, metal guardrails are the preferred choice, including:
Galvanized steel safety railings are coated with zinc, which protects the steel surface from moisture. This provides outstanding longevity and corrosion resistance with minimal maintenance.
Safety railings constructed from high-grade aluminum silicon magnesium alloy offer strength, durability, and corrosion resistance in a lightweight package. They are often the preferred choice for aesthetics or chemical environments.
Safety railing kits, available in galvanized steel or aluminum, are installed quickly and efficiently to protect a designated area. They are available in straight kits and corner kits, each with two 6-ft (1.8 m) sections. 6-ft extension kits are also available.
Unprotected openings, such as ladder access points or stairways, pose significant fall risks. Self-closing safety gates feature a spring-loaded mechanism that automatically closes after passage, preventing accidental falls through these openings.
Constructed of aluminum or galvanized steel, gates are available in single-width, double-width, and full-height models and can be adjusted to fit various openings. They can also be integrated into railing systems to cordon access to restricted areas.
Pivoting pallet gates provide essential fall protection where materials are loaded and unloaded from mezzanines or elevated platforms. They create a barrier during operations, preventing workers from stepping off the edge.
Constructed of aluminum or galvanized steel, pallet gates are available in four standard configurations to protect openings. They fit seamlessly into existing guardrail systems and have few moving parts, so minimal maintenance is required.
Work access platforms provide stable, elevated surfaces for workers to perform tasks at height. Constructed from aluminum or galvanized steel frames and guardrails, they feature anti-slip, non-bounce, self-draining nylon treads for steps and platform decks. Modular design allows for easy installation and reconfiguration if needed.
Platforms can be used for tasks such as production and maintenance at machinery and conveyors, accessing inventory from racks and shelves, loading and unloading, and other work-at-height responsibilities. Types of work access platforms include:
Ideal for permanent installations and frequent tasks.
Equipped with heavy-duty locking casters for station-to-station portability.
Can be fitted with racks and shelves for tools and equipment, equipped with shop services (e.g., air, electricity, water), engineered for adjustable height, and include a self-closing gate for added fall protection.
An overhead rigid rail track-and-trolley system is ideal for confined spaces and where guardrails are impractical or absent. They are designed for loading, unloading, maintenance, and repair operations on equipment or vehicles from directly overhead.
These modular rigid rail tracks offer various mounting options and have a short fall arrest distance to promote worker safety and prevent damage to sensitive equipment. Rigid rail systems also eliminate the “pendulum effect” that can tug at workers and cause damage or injury.
Beyond personnel safety, protecting the building, equipment, and inventory from impact damage contributes to operational efficiency. Constructed of heavy-duty metal and powder-coated in “safety yellow,” these barriers are designed to absorb the impact of a collision with a forklift, sweeper, or other in-plant equipment.
A variety of safety barriers are available to meet specific protection needs:
A modular guardrail system that is easy to customize and install, it is a primary means of protecting workers, the facility, and equipment from moving vehicles.
Designed to shield storage racks from forklift collisions, preventing structural damage and potential product loss.
Prevents damage to the track of a door without interfering with its operation.
Protect structural columns, building corners, floors, pipes, and other parts of the facility from vehicle impacts.
Prioritizing interior fall protection, access solutions, and impact mitigation enables organizations to create a safer working environment and improve operations. Facility and safety managers can significantly reduce the risk of falls and impacts by implementing appropriate systems such as guardrails, safety gates, work platforms, rigid rails, and traffic shields.
Long recognized as a leader in rooftop fall protection, Kee Safety has an expanding set of solutions to protect
people inside and outside the facility. Our safety experts bring decades of compliance experience to become
your partner in protecting people from the most dangerous hazards on your site. Focusing on both the welfare
of your people and the profitability of your operation, our tried and tested safety products are built to ensure
consistent performance at the highest level.
Download our Interior Fall and Impact Protection Brochure