What are Column Protectors Used For?

When it comes to maintaining a safe and efficient workplace, there are numerous considerations that facility managers must take into account. One often-overlooked aspect of workplace safety is the protection of structural columns and support beams within a facility. 

That's where column protectors come into play. These simple devices play a vital role in safeguarding both your employees and your facility’s structural integrity. 

In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about column protection, including types of column protectors, why they are essential, and where to purchase them. 

What Are Column Protectors?

Column wraps or protectors are guards that wrap around columns, poles, beams, and other types of structures that provide support to a building. They serve as a buffer, designed to absorb the impact of potential accidents and collisions by adding padding to the column. While not required, they’re highly recommended by OSHA as an important warehouse safety measure. 

These simple, but essential safety products are able to withstand thousands of pounds of impact from workplace equipment like forklifts, pallet jacks, and other types of material handling equipment. Made of 100 percent high-density polyethylene (HDPE), column protectors typically come in two segments that fit together using key-locks. They’re held in place by nylon straps for extra security. 

Column protectors call attention to posts and similar structures to hopefully eliminate accidents in the first place. If a vehicle does hit a building column or beam, the column protector takes the brunt of the impact. This not only spares the equipment from costly repairs, it significantly reduces the risk of building damage. 

Hitting a column or post at relatively low speed may seem like a minor bump. But if the column is compromised in any way, it could result in further damage to the building. This has the domino effect of putting workers in danger. 

By installing column protectors, businesses can help prevent collisions with columns, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure the safety of people and equipment.

Where Are Column Protectors Used?

You’ll find column protectors in all sorts of workplaces where small vehicles operate, including:

• Warehouses 
• Loading docks
• Parking garages or structures
• Fulfillment or distribution centers
• Manufacturing facilities
• Storage units

Any place you have a vertical support might be a good candidate for plastic column protectors. You’ll often find them wrapped around columns, beams, and posts, but some companies use warehouse column protectors around pallet racking and shelving, too. 

To determine where to place column protectors, take a look around your facility. Ask these questions:

• Are there places where accidents have already occurred with forklifts or similar equipment and additional impact protection makes sense?
• What elements are vital to the building’s structural integrity and would put workers in danger if compromised? 
• Where does equipment operate in tight quarters where accidental bumps are more likely to happen? 
• What are the areas where equipment or vehicles frequently operate in reverse or in low-visibility conditions? 

Consider asking forklift operators and other workers who operate equipment where they feel the most likely places for accidents are. If you’re not sure, you can also request a free site assessment with our STUD-E™ Workplace Safety Survey. This helps your business reduce hazards, eliminate the risk of fines, and safeguard workers in a wide range of areas, including structure protection. 

How Do You Purchase Column Guards?

Eagle makes buying column protectors online quick and easy for safety officers, facilities managers, and building maintenance professionals. Use the checklist below to find the right items to protect warehouse columns at your workplace. 

1. Determine the shape of the column being protected (round, square, or diamond shaped). 
2. Measure the column to find its dimensions to match with the interior opening of the column protector.
3. Decide which height is best for the given situation: classic height or a mini column protector, perfect for under fire extinguishers, phones, speakers, and intercoms. 
4. Choose the best color for your needs: safety yellow, red, orange or green, opting for high-visibility bright colors when extra awareness is required. 
5. Add the appropriate column protectors to your cart, along with extra replacement black nylon or reflective straps if desired.
6. Place your order and receive your column protectors soon after at your workplace. 

Eagle column protectors are known for ease of installation, with no additional tools needed. We offer a number of standard sizes. 

Is your workplace in need of a large order? Want help deciding which column protector best suits your purpose? Speak with a member of our team for assistance selecting items or receiving bulk order discounts. 

Safeguard Your Building with Eagle’s Warehouse Column Protectors

A warehouse, loading dock, or other facility where equipment zips around all day is a costly accident waiting to happen. You can reduce injuries, protect equipment, safeguard your building, and ultimately, decrease operating costs with the right column protectors from Eagle. You may even be able to lower your commercial insurance premiums with the proper safety barriers. 

Need additional protection? Eagle also supplies heavy-duty wall, rack and corner guards, as well as bollard posts and bollard covers.