Packaging supplier Nampak has purchased new safety barriers to protect pedestrians at its production facility in Gillingham, Kent.
Nampak Cartons Europe, part of the global Nampak packaging group, manufactures high quality paper packaging for frozen and chilled foods, confectionery, cereals, beverages and pet foods. At its factory in Gillingham – one of the company's three UK sites – Nampak needed to improve pedestrian access between the two adjoining parts of its site, for health and safety reasons. A dedicated safe passage for pedestrians – away from the heavy goods vehicles and forklift trucks that proliferate in the goods in and dispatch areas of the site – was required and, in addition, certain other pedestrian walkways across the site's yards needed to be clearly identified and made safe to use.
Nampak chose polypropylene safety barriers from David Evans Associates, due to their impact absorption and deflection properties, as well as their safe height, bright colour and weatherproof materials. An added benefit of the barrier system was that the upper rail was at hand height, giving support to pedestrians when climbing steps on the walkway between the two parts of the site, which are on different levels. The barriers were also installed by David Evans Associates.
The polypropylene construction of the barriers means that they absorb and deflect almost any impact, minimising damage both to vehicles and the barriers themselves and thus dramatically reducing the need for repairs or replacement. The barriers are certified to BS6399 and – unlike barriers made from traditional materials – never need painting and do not rust. Modular in design, the barriers require no brackets or welding for assembly and are supplied complete with floor fixings to anchor the posts into concrete.