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2 minute read
The Problem
Step into any cold storage warehouse and you’ll feel the challenges instantly. Forklifts dart between aisles. The floor’s slippery due to condensation. Visibility drops as goggles fog. And every worker is weighed down by heavy protective gear.
In this environment, pedestrian safety is not just difficult - it’s a daily battle.
The Risk
Did you know that not all pedestrian safety barriers are built for sub-zero conditions?
Traditional steel barriers, for example, become brittle, corrode, and can fail under impact. That leaves workers exposed, stock at risk, and your safety record on the line.
A single barrier failure can lead to downtime, lost revenue, failed inspections - or worse, a serious accident.
The Solution
The answer is choosing safety barriers designed for cold storage. Barriers that don’t snap under freezing stress, don’t rust in humidity, and don’t need constant repair.
That’s where our polymer barriers set the standard - proven to perform at low temperatures.
So… what makes them different from steel? Let’s break it down.
Why Do Cold Storage Facilities Need Special Safety Barriers?
Cold storage is not your average warehouse. Temperatures can plunge to -45°C. Surfaces sweat with condensation. Workers wear heavy gear that limits movement and visibility. And forklifts are in constant use.
In short, this environment punishes weak materials and outdated designs.
Take steel barriers, for example. We’ve walked into facilities where a small forklift bump shattered steel rails. Why? Because steel gets brittle in the cold - and that’s not a glitch. It’s physics.
Why Don't Steel Barriers Work in Cold Storage Warehouses?
Steel might seem tough. But in freezing conditions, it shows its cracks - literally.
- Brittleness: As temps drop, steel loses flexibility. Impacts that would bend it at room temperature can break it in sub-zero conditions.
- Thermal stress: Expansion and contraction from fluctuating temperatures weakens welds and mounting points.
- Corrosion: Even treated steel struggles against condensation and humidity in cold storage.
- Downtime: When steel barriers fail, repairs aren’t quick. That’s lost time, lost stock, and serious risk.
One facility manager told us they replaced the same steel barriers three times in two years. Then they made the switch.
What Makes Polymer Barriers Better for Cold Storage Safety?
High-quality polymer safety barriers, like our Cold Line, are built for the cold. They’re engineered with flexibility, resilience, and impact absorption that actually works in extreme warehouse environments.
Here’s what sets them apart:
- Cold-resilient performance: Tested to -30°C and proven to stay flexible and protective, no cracking, no surprises.
- Flex, don’t fracture: When hit, polymer barriers flex to absorb the blow, protecting your equipment and your people.
- No rust: 100% corrosion-resistant, making them ideal for humid, frozen, and food-safe facilities.
- Simple to clean: No special chemicals required. Just wipe and go.
- No floor bolts needed: Polyflex barriers don’t require floor penetration, protecting insulation and maximising usable space.
- High visibility: Bright colouring and smart design reduce collision risks, even when goggles fog up and lighting gets tricky.
What's the Cost of Choosing the Wrong Barrier?
A failed safety barrier can cost you a fortune.
❌ Emergency repairs = downtime
❌ Lost inventory = revenue down the drain
❌ Failed inspections = compliance risk
❌Reputational damage = lost trust, internally and externally
This isn’t hypothetical. We’ve seen it firsthand. One operations manager told us that switching to Clarity’s polymer barriers paid for itself in avoided downtime alone, not to mention zero replacements five years in.
How Can the Right Barriers Protect People and Productivity?
It's about more than barriers. It's about building a safer, smarter facility. One where:
⚠️ You’re not waking up to an incident report.⚠️Your staff trusts their environment.
⚠️You stop spending time and money on avoidable fixes.
That’s what our polymer barriers deliver. Peace of mind, built into the foundation.
Ready to Make the Upgrade?
Our barriers are engineered for the toughest cold storage environments and built to protect what matters most: your people and your productivity.
👉 Explore our Polymer Safety Barrier range now and see how it can transform your cold storage safety.
Or, provide us with your details below, and we'll be in touch! 👇
