Quick summary
Warehouse impact protection is the steel and plastic kit that sits between moving vehicles and the things you can't afford to have hit: people, racking, building columns, doors, machinery and walls. It covers pedestrian safety barriers, rack end and upright protectors, column guards, floor-level kerb rails, bollards and loading bay buffers. This guide explains what each type does, what it costs in the UK in 2026, which standards apply, and how to pick the right level of protection without overspending.
Quick answer: In the UK, warehouse impact protection starts at around £40 ex VAT for a 400mm steel rack upright protector, about £59 for a 2.9m galvanised floor-level box rail, £95 for a steel column guard and £125 for a heavy duty service bollard. Modular pedestrian barrier systems are priced by the part: posts from about £100 each and cross rails from about £69 each, so a typical bay of barrier runs to a few hundred pounds. There's no single law that names a barrier, but the Workplace Regulations require traffic routes that let people and vehicles move safely, and the BSI code of practice PAS 13:2017 is the benchmark most sites use for barrier testing and positioning. HSE says around 50 people are killed each year in workplace transport incidents.
- ✓Rack upright guards from about £40 ex VAT, column guards from about £95 and heavy duty bollards from about £125.
- ✓Pedestrian barrier systems are priced by the part: posts from about £100 and cross rails from about £69.
- ✓PAS 13:2017 is the benchmark code of practice for barriers. It is guidance, not law.
- ✓HSE says around 50 people are killed each year in workplace transport incidents.
Why warehouse impact protection matters
Forklifts, pallet trucks, reach trucks, roll cages and delivery vehicles all share space with people on foot. When something goes wrong it tends to go wrong badly. HSE guidance on workplace transport states that every year there are over 5,000 accidents involving transport in the workplace, and about 50 of them result in people being killed. HSE Northern Ireland quotes the same figures from HSE (GB) statistics, and BSI uses them to introduce PAS 13.
It isn't only about people. A forklift clipping a racking upright can bend it enough to reduce the load the rack can safely carry. A truck catching a steel building column, a fire door or a sprinkler riser can mean a repair bill far bigger than the cost of a guard. Protection is cheap compared with the downtime, the repair and the conversation with your insurer.
The basic idea is simple: separate people from vehicles where you can, and where you can't, put something solid in the way. HSE's own guidance puts separate pedestrian and vehicle routes first, and recommends barriers and signs where full separation isn't possible, plus barriers to stop reversing vehicles entering pedestrian areas.
Separate people from vehicles where you can. Where you can't, put something solid in the way.
Types of warehouse impact protection
Pedestrian safety barriers (railing systems)
These are the long runs of yellow, or yellow and black, barrier that line walkways, mark out safe zones around workstations and stop people stepping straight out into a forklift aisle. Most are modular: you buy end posts, mid posts, corner posts and cross rails, then build the length you need. Steel systems are rigid and strong. Hybrid systems use steel posts with polypropylene rails that flex on impact and spring back, which reduces damage to the barrier and the floor fixings.
Our range includes the BLACK BULL HD railing system for heavy duty walkways, the BLACK BULL MD railing system where heavy duty isn't needed, and the BLACK BULL FLEX hybrid system, which pairs steel posts with plastic rails and is TÜV-tested to DGUV 108-007 according to the manufacturer. Matching gates are available where people need to pass through.
Rack protection (upright guards and rack end barriers)
Rack upright protectors bolt to the floor in front of each upright and take the knock instead of the steel frame. They come as right-angle or U-profile guards, usually 400mm high, with taller options for busy aisles. Rack end barriers run across the end of a run of racking, where trucks turn and corner uprights are most at risk. HSE's warehousing guidance (HSG76) says corner uprights are particularly vulnerable and should have a protective device in a conspicuous colour, usually yellow or yellow and black stripes.
Options include the Black Bull right-angle rack protector (from £40.54), the Black Bull U-profile protector that wraps three sides of the upright (from £66.69), and a lighter plastic pallet racking protector (from £37.20). For more on spotting damage, see our guide on how to inspect pallet racking for damage.
Column guards and corner protectors
Building columns, steel stanchions and wall corners sit right where trucks turn. Column guards come in three main styles: steel U-shaped or wraparound guards bolted to the floor, plastic or foam wraps that strap around the column, and hybrid barrier frames that surround wide columns. Steel stops the impact; plastic wraps soften it and protect both the column and the vehicle.
Other options include the Corner Column Protector Guard (from £91.00), the strap-on plastic Column Impact Protector and hybrid barrier frames for wide columns. Our article on why busy sites use column guards goes into more detail.
Floor-level kerb rails and collision bars
Low-level rails sit at wheel and fork height. They stop pallet trucks, roll cages and forks running into walls, cold room panels, racking bases and machinery, while still letting people step over where that's safe. They're one of the cheapest ways to stop day-to-day knocks.
Look also at the Low Level Protection Rail (from £57.03), BLACK BULL Collision Protection Bars (from £29.81) and rubber wall bumpers for freezer rooms. Our guide to what impact rails are explains where they work best.
Bollards and hoop barriers
Bollards protect single points: a door frame, a fire hydrant, a charge point, a gas meter, the corner of a building. Hoop barriers do a similar job over a wider span. Inside, surface-fixed bollards bolt straight to the slab; outside, sub-surface (root-fixed) versions are set in concrete.
Browse steel bollards and hoop barriers (black and yellow hoops from £100.71), or read our bollards buying guide.
Loading bay buffers and wheel guides
Dock buffers absorb the shock of trailers reversing onto the bay, protecting the dock edge and the building. HGV wheel guides keep trailers lined up as they reverse in.
HGV wheel guides start from £349.70. See the full loading bay barriers collection. Our guide on how to protect loading bays covers the rest.
Warehouse impact protection prices (UK, 2026)
All prices below are Store Fittings Direct starting prices, ex VAT, checked on 21 October 2026. The site shows prices both ex VAT and inc VAT. Modular barrier systems are priced per component, so the "from" price is for one part, not a finished run.
| Product | Type | Best for | From (ex VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic Pallet Racking Protection | Rack upright guard | Light traffic, pallet trucks | £37.20 |
| Black Bull Pallet Racking Protection | Steel rack upright guard (400–1200mm) | Forklift aisles | £40.54 |
| Black Bull U-Profile Rack Protector | 3-sided steel upright guard | Exposed uprights, aisle ends | £66.69 |
| BLACK BULL Collision Protection Bars | Low-level bar | Machinery, plant (indoor) | £29.81 |
| MBT Box Rail (2.9m rail) | Floor-level kerb rail | Racking bases, walls, cold rooms | £59.00 |
| Low Level Protection Rail | Floor-level rail | Loading bays, walls | £57.03 |
| BLACK BULL MD Railing | Medium duty pedestrian barrier | Walkways, machine guarding | £69.43 (rail) / £99.34 (end post) |
| BLACK BULL FLEX Hybrid | Flexible steel/plastic barrier | Busy forklift routes | £72.77 (rail) / £172.97 (end post) |
| BLACK BULL HD Railing | Heavy duty pedestrian barrier | Walkways, entrances | £81.26 (rail) / £115.71 (end post) |
| Corner Column Protector Guard | Steel corner guard | Wall and column corners | £91.00 |
| Warehouse Column Protector Guard | Steel column guard | Columns, pillars | £94.64 |
| Heavy Duty Service Bollard | Steel bollard | Doors, yards, services | £124.80 |
| Loading Bay Protection Buffers | Dock buffer | Loading docks | £161.66 |
| BLACK BULL Individual Hybrid Barrier | Free-standing hybrid barrier | Workstations, rack ends | £477.34 |
| Plastic Column Impact Protector (1100mm) | Strap-on column wrap | Columns up to 450mm square | £643.80 |
What a typical job costs
To give a feel for budgets, here are worked examples using the prices above (ex VAT, products only):
- ✓Guarding 20 racking uprights with 400mm right-angle guards: 20 × £40.54 = £810.80.
- ✓Floor-level rail along 8.7m of wall: three 2.9m box rails (£177) plus leg kits from £39 each.
- ✓Guarding four building columns with steel guards: 4 × £94.64 = about £379.
- ✓A short HD pedestrian barrier: two end posts (£231.42) plus cross rails from £81.26 each. Check the product page for how many rails each bay takes.
Fixings and fitting are extra. Floor fixings must suit your slab, so check the fixing details on each product page before ordering.
UK rules and standards: PAS 13, HSG76 and the Workplace Regulations
The Workplace Regulations (the law)
Regulation 17 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 requires workplaces to be organised so that pedestrians and vehicles can circulate safely. The law doesn't say "fit a barrier here". It says you must manage the risk, and HSE's guidance makes clear that physical separation with barriers is one of the main ways to do it.
PAS 13:2017 (the code of practice)
PAS 13:2017 is BSI's code of practice for safety barriers used in traffic management within workplaces. It covers barrier impact resilience, dimensions and positions, and sets test methods for how well a barrier stands up to an impact. It isn't law, but it's the reference most safety managers and insurers use. One key idea is the deflection zone: when a barrier is hit it bends, and that movement must not intrude into the pedestrian walkway. So leave a gap between the barrier and the walkway it protects.
HSG76 and BS EN 15635 (racking)
HSE's warehousing guidance, HSG76, and the racking standard BS EN 15635 both expect regular racking checks. A technically competent person should carry out an expert inspection at intervals of not more than 12 months, backed by more frequent in-house checks (the standard expects at least an annual expert inspection). HSG76 also recommends naming a Person Responsible for Racking Safety. Rack protection doesn't replace inspection; it cuts down how much damage the inspector finds.
How to choose the right protection
- 1Walk the site and map the traffic. Where do forklifts, pallet trucks and lorries go? Where do people walk? Mark every crossing point, blind corner, doorway and column on a plan. Scuffs, paint marks and bent steel tell you where impacts already happen.
- 2Know your vehicles. A loaded counterbalance forklift hits much harder than a hand pallet truck. Heavier vehicles and higher speeds need heavier duty protection.
- 3Separate first, protect second. Use pedestrian barriers to create walkways and safe zones, then add point protection (bollards, column guards, rack guards) where vehicles still get close.
- 4Match the height to the hazard. Floor-level rails stop wheels and forks. Rack guards cover the bottom of uprights. Pedestrian barriers need to be high enough to stop people stepping over or leaning into a route.
- 5Steel, plastic or hybrid? Steel is strong and cheap per metre but transfers force to the floor fixings. Plastic and hybrid systems flex, absorb energy and are kinder to vehicles and slabs, but cost more up front.
- 6Check the floor. A barrier is only as good as its fixings. Check slab thickness and condition before choosing surface-fixed products.
- 7Leave room for deflection. Don't place a barrier tight against the walkway it protects.
Protection by area of the site
Racking aisles
Fit upright protectors to every upright that trucks can reach, and rack end barriers at the end of each run. Add floor-level rail where pallet trucks run along the base of the racking. Read our guide to preventing pallet racking damage.
Pedestrian walkways and workstations
Line walkways with railing, and put a gate or a defined crossing where people need to cross a vehicle route. Shield packing benches, offices and canteen doors with free-standing barriers. Industrial convex mirrors help at blind corners; see our piece on warehouse safety mirrors.
Machinery, plant and services
Surround compressors, chargers, electrical panels and sprinkler valves with medium duty railing or collision bars.
Columns, doors and building corners
Every column next to a vehicle route should have a guard. Protect door frames, roller shutter tracks and wall corners with bollards or corner guards.
Loading bays and service yards
Use dock buffers, wheel guides, root-fixed bollards and low-level rails. Outside, also think about wheel stops and lighting.
Installation, inspection and maintenance
- ✓Fix to sound concrete. Use the fixings specified for each product and check your slab can take them. Sub-surface bollards need a proper concrete foundation.
- ✓Follow the layout drawing. Keep the clearances you planned, especially the deflection gap in front of walkways.
- ✓Check after every impact. A barrier that has been hit hard may have loosened fixings or bent posts. Replace damaged parts; modular systems let you swap a single rail or post.
- ✓Build it into routine checks. Look at barriers and rack guards during your weekly racking checks and the annual expert inspection. See our guide to repairing damaged storage uprights.
- ✓Keep it visible. Clean or repaint scuffed guards so they stay easy to see.
For fitting tips, read how to install warehouse barriers properly.
Why buy warehouse protection from Store Fittings Direct
- ✓A wide range in one place: rack guards, column protectors, railing systems, bollards, kerb rails and dock buffers across our warehouse protection, warehouse barriers and impact protection collections.
- ✓Clear pricing: every price is shown ex VAT and inc VAT.
- ✓Free delivery on over 90% of our products.
- ✓Over 30 years' experience supplying retailers, the NHS, councils, warehouses and construction.
- ✓ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified, and a SEDEX member.
- ✓Every one of our Google reviews is five stars.
- ✓Straight advice: call 0116 318 4182 and we'll help you work out what you need.
Protect your people, racking and building
Rack guards, column protectors, safety barriers, bollards and dock buffers, with free delivery on most of the range. Tell us about your site and we'll help you choose.
Shop warehouse protectionCall 0116 318 4182FAQs
How much does warehouse impact protection cost in the UK?
Steel rack upright guards start at about £40 ex VAT each, floor-level box rail at £59 for a 2.9m length, steel column guards at about £95 and heavy duty bollards at about £125. Modular pedestrian barriers are priced per post and rail, so a short run usually costs a few hundred pounds.
Is PAS 13 a legal requirement?
No. PAS 13:2017 is a BSI code of practice, not law. The legal duty comes from the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, which require pedestrians and vehicles to circulate safely. PAS 13 is widely used as the benchmark for barrier testing and positioning.
Do I have to fit rack protection?
No single rule names a product, but HSE's HSG76 guidance says corner uprights are particularly vulnerable and should have a protective device in a conspicuous colour. Most sites fit upright guards wherever trucks operate.
How often should racking and barriers be inspected?
A technically competent person should inspect racking at intervals of not more than 12 months, with more frequent in-house checks. Check barriers and guards at the same time and after any impact.
What is a barrier deflection zone?
It's the space a barrier moves into when it is hit. PAS 13 guidance is that the deflected barrier must not intrude into the pedestrian walkway, so leave a gap between barrier and walkway.
Steel or plastic safety barriers: which is better?
Steel is strong and cheaper per metre but passes impact force into the floor fixings. Plastic and hybrid barriers flex and absorb energy, which reduces damage to the barrier, the vehicle and the slab, but cost more to buy.
What colour should warehouse barriers be?
Yellow, or yellow and black stripes, is the standard for impact protection because it stands out to drivers.
Can I fit warehouse barriers myself?
Many surface-fixed products are designed to be bolted down by a competent fitter using the specified fixings. Check your floor slab first and follow the product's fixing instructions.
