Safety Barriers

A safety barrier is an obstacle, structure or fence that prevents movement or restricts access to a potentially dangerous road or restricted area. Safety barriers can also be called a safety barricade, barrier pole, traffic pole barrier or barrier fence, and can be fixed or temporary depending on the environment or application.

A safety barrier's main function is to prevent accidents and safeguard people. Whatever the need, a good safety barrier must be visible (often brightly coloured) and give clear instruction.

Types of Safety Barriers

Temporary Safety Barriers

Temporary road safety barriers can come in the form of bollards, pedestrian barriers, retractable belt barriers, scissor barriers, plastic work gate barriers, post base, and chain barriers. Temporary barriers are often foldable and expandable, lightweight and easy to manoeuvre. They are ideal for sectioning off an area that is under maintenance or repair or for crowd control and queue management.

Fixed Safety Barriers

Fixed safety barriers include pedestrian and traffic barriers, crash and impact barriers, car park barriers and fencing. The robust structures are typically made out of steel or a strong metal anchored permanently to the concrete or floor with surface fixing bolts, through bolt anchors, or chemical anchor bolts. They are ideal for providing long-term, high-impact protection and clearly defining permanent perimeters.

Best Materials for Safety Barriers

The effectiveness and durability of a safety barrier largely depend on the material from which it is constructed. Various materials offer distinct advantages, making them suitable for different applications, from temporary road safety barriers to permanent steel road barrier installations.

• Polypropylene (PP): A lightweight and impact-resistant plastic, often used for expandable safety barriers and foldable safety barrier designs, offering good chemical resistance and flexibility.
• Aluminium: Known for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio and inherent corrosion resistance, aluminium is ideal for portable barrier pole designs and structures where mobility is key.
• High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): This robust plastic is highly durable, impact-resistant, and can withstand harsh weather conditions, commonly found in water-filled road safety barriers and other temporary safety barricades.
• Steel: For maximum strength and impact protection, especially in traffic pole barrier and fixed road barrier applications as it provides exceptional durability against heavy impacts.
• Polyester: Often used in conjunction with other materials or as coatings for fabric-based safety barrier fence systems, polyester provides good strength, durability, and resistance to environmental factors.
• PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): A versatile and cost-effective plastic, PVC is frequently used for lightweight barrier pole designs, fencing, and temporary safety pole barriers due to its weather resistance and ease of fabrication.

Essential Features of Effective Safety Barriers

An effective safety barrier is designed with a combination of critical features that ensure optimal protection and operational efficiency in diverse environments.

• High Visibility and Clear Identification: Effective safety barriers are typically brightly coloured or incorporate reflective elements to ensure they are easily seen, even in low-light conditions, clearly marking hazardous areas or pathways.
• Durability and Impact Resistance: Whether it's an expandable safety barrier or a fixed safety barricade, the material and construction must withstand potential impacts, wear, and tear from traffic, equipment, or personnel.
• Corrosion Resistance: Given exposure to outdoor elements and various industrial substances, a good safety barrier fence or barrier pole should resist rust and degradation to ensure long-term integrity and appearance.
• Simple Installation and Maintenance: Efficient barrier safety solutions are designed for straightforward setup and minimal upkeep, reducing downtime and labour costs, especially for temporary road safety barriers or foldable safety barrier systems.
• Compliance with Safety Regulations and Standards: All safety barriers must meet relevant local and international safety regulations to ensure they provide adequate protection.
• Customisable for Specific Environments: The ability to adapt the safety barrier in terms of size, configuration, or additional features (like signage or lighting) allows for tailored solutions that perfectly fit unique site requirements.
• Ability to Absorb or Deflect Impact Forces: Critical for traffic pole barrier and safety road barrier applications, effective barriers are engineered to either absorb kinetic energy to cushion impacts or deflect vehicles away from hazardous zones, protecting both assets and individuals.

How to Choose the Right Safety Barrier

Selecting the correct safety barrier is crucial for effective risk mitigation and ensuring compliance within any operational setting. This decision requires a systematic approach, considering the specific environment and potential hazards.

• Identify the Application Environment and Hazards: Begin by thoroughly assessing the area where the safety barrier will be deployed. Consider the type of traffic (pedestrian, vehicular), potential impact forces, environmental conditions (e.g., weather, chemicals), and specific hazards such as machinery, fall risks, or restricted zones.
• Determine Hazardous Area Classification: Understand if the area falls under any specific hazardous classifications (e.g., flammable atmospheres, high-voltage zones) as this will dictate material requirements and necessary certifications for your safety barricade or safety pole barriers.
• Select Appropriate Barrier Type: Based on the assessment, choose between temporary road safety barriers like expandable safety barriers or foldable safety barrier options for flexible needs, or fixed solutions such as a steel safety barrier fence for permanent installations.
• Match Barrier to Equipment and System Requirements: Ensure the chosen safety barrier is compatible with existing equipment and operational workflows. For instance, a traffic pole barrier must effectively guide vehicles without hindering necessary access or logistics.
• Consider Electrical and Safety Parameters: For installations near electrical systems or where specific safety standards apply, confirm that the barrier safety solution meets all relevant electrical safety parameters and industry regulations.

Installation and Maintenance of Safety Barriers

No matter if it is fixed or temporary, proper installation and maintenance are important in order to ensure the long-term effectiveness and reliability of any safety barrier.

• Pre-Installation Planning and Site Assessment: Before any installation, conduct a thorough site assessment to identify ground conditions, potential obstructions, and specific hazard zones, allowing for precise placement and optimal barrier safety.
• Barrier Selection and Design Considerations: Choose the appropriate type of safety barrier material and design (e.g., expandable safety barriers, folding safety barriers, traffic pole barrier) based on the identified risks and environmental factors.
• Installation Procedures and Best Practices: When installing a fixed safety barrier, follow manufacturer guidelines and industry best practices meticulously during installation, ensuring all anchors, fasteners, or interlocks are correctly secured for maximum stability and impact resistance.
• Testing and Commissioning of Safety Barriers: After installation, conduct thorough testing to verify that the safety barrier performs as intended and meets all specified safety standards, ensuring it is ready for operational use.
• Regular Inspection and Maintenance Schedules: Implement a routine schedule for inspecting the safety barrier and its components for signs of wear, damage, or corrosion, promptly addressing any issues to maintain their protective function.

Safety Barrier Applications in Different Industries in Malaysia

Safety barriers play a critical role in risk mitigation and operational efficiency across a diverse range of industries within Malaysia, providing essential protection for personnel, assets, and the general public.

• Warehousing and Distribution: In Malaysian warehouses and distribution centres, safety barrier fence systems and safety pole barriers are vital for delineating pedestrian walkways, protecting racking from forklift collisions and managing vehicle flow.
• Food and Beverage: The food and beverage sector in Malaysia utilises safety barriers to maintain hygiene zones, separate production areas, and protect sensitive equipment from impact.
• Retail and Commercial: In Malaysian retail and commercial spaces, expandable safety barriers and foldable safety barrier options are crucial for crowd control, securing restricted areas and managing queues.
• Events and Entertainment: For events across Malaysia, temporary road safety barriers and folding safety barriers are indispensable for crowd management, securing perimeters, directing pedestrian traffic, and marking hazardous zones, ensuring public safety.
• Airports, Ports, and Train Stations: These high-traffic hubs in Malaysia rely heavily on robust safety barricades, traffic pole barriers, and steel road barriers to control vehicle and pedestrian access, secure sensitive areas, and manage emergency situations.
• Military and Government Facilities: High-security military and government facilities in Malaysia deploy advanced safety road barrier systems for perimeter defence, access control, and protecting critical infrastructure from unauthorised entry or impact.

Safety Barrier Supplier and Distributor in Malaysia

As a premier road safety barrier supplier and distributor in Malaysia, RS offers an extensive selection of high-quality safety barricades and barrier systems to meet every industrial, commercial, and public safety requirement.

Our comprehensive range includes fixed and temporary barrier fence options from leading global brands such as Viso, Skipper, Tensator and many more. Besides external barriers, RS also stocks internal safety products for your premises such as door closers, gas struts, and others.

To find out more about our delivery options across Malaysia and associated fees, please visit our dedicated delivery page.