Stop Damage Before It Happens

FORKLIFT IMPACT PROTECTION

Name: Forklift Impact Protection
Brand: UM Storage Systems
Rating: 4.9 (87 reviews)

Column protectors, end-of-aisle barriers, kerb rails, bollards and pedestrian segregation systems. UK supply, installation and design — protecting racking, doors, walls, plant and people.

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30%

Damage Reduction

100%

FEM 10.2.13 Aligned

Steel

& Polymer Options

60+

Years Experience

Forklift impact damage is the single largest cause of racking defects identified at SEIRS inspections. Every collision risks structural failure, downtime, repair cost and — in the worst cases — collapse and personal injury. The most cost-effective way to manage that risk is to protect the rack before the impact happens, with engineered impact protection at every vulnerable point.

UM Storage Systems supplies and installs the full range of impact protection: bolt-on column guards, free-standing end-of-aisle barriers, kerb rails, pedestrian segregation, polymer flexible barriers, bollards and door and wall protection. Every system is designed around your specific traffic flow and integrated with the racking, building and signage strategy.

Column Protectors: Bolt-On vs Free-Standing

Bolt-on column protectors clamp directly to the upright base and are the most cost-effective way to protect a single column. Free-standing column protectors are anchored to the floor independently of the rack, absorbing the impact entirely without transmitting force to the upright. Free-standing is the FEM 10.2.13 best-practice option for high-traffic aisles and end-of-aisle positions.

We supply both in steel (the most common) and high-impact polymer (which deforms and rebounds, reducing forklift damage). Polymer is increasingly specified in cold stores and chilled environments where steel can become brittle.

End-of-Aisle Barriers and Kerb Rails

End-of-aisle barriers are the highest-priority protection because aisle ends suffer the heaviest forklift impact during turning manoeuvres. Engineered barriers absorb impact at floor level and at half-height, protecting both the column and the operator.

Kerb rails — fixed at floor level along the length of the aisle — protect the bottom of every upright in the run from glancing forklift contact and pallet drag.

Pedestrian Segregation and Building Protection

Pedestrian-forklift segregation is a major focus of HSE enforcement under HSG136. We supply engineered handrail and barrier systems for walkways, marshalling areas, charging stations and pedestrian crossings, with high-visibility yellow-and-black finish as standard.

Building protection extends the same principle to roller-shutter doors, dock levellers, fire exits, columns and wall corners — all of which are expensive to repair and disruptive to replace if damaged by forklift contact.

Design, Survey and Installation

Every protection package starts with a free survey of your warehouse traffic flow, identifying impact hotspots from previous SEIRS inspection records and forklift damage logs. We then design a layered protection plan and price it as a single project.

Installation is carried out by our directly employed CSCS-certified crews, typically over a single weekend or in phased zones to avoid operational disruption.

Key Features

FEM 10.2.13 aligned design

Steel or polymer options

Bolt-on or free-standing column guards

Cold-store galvanised finishes

Yellow / black high-visibility finish

Free survey and traffic flow audit

Typical UK Applications

Pallet racking column protection

End-of-aisle barriers

Kerb rails along racking runs

Pedestrian-forklift segregation

Roller shutter door protection

Dock leveller and loading bay

Charging area and battery rooms

Wall, column and machinery protection

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What's the difference between bolt-on and free-standing column protectors?

Bolt-on protectors clamp to the upright and transfer some impact to the rack. Free-standing protectors anchor independently to the floor and absorb impact entirely — best practice in high-traffic locations.

Are polymer protectors better than steel?

Polymer protectors deform and rebound, reducing both forklift damage and the impact transmitted to the rack. They are increasingly specified for high-traffic and cold-store applications. Steel remains cheaper and is fine for medium-traffic areas.

Do I need pedestrian segregation barriers?

If forklifts and pedestrians share floor space, yes — HSE HSG136 makes segregation a primary control measure. We can audit your warehouse and recommend a segregation strategy.