Keeping pedestrians safe around forklifts and other material handling vehicles is one of the most important challenges for any warehouse or factory.
At Clarity, we’re often asked: What’s the best way to prevent a forklift from colliding with a pedestrian?
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but there are five proven approaches that can significantly reduce the risk of workplace accidents, without disrupting operations.
Below, we’ve outlined the top pedestrian segregation methods used in industrial environments across the UK, along with the pros and cons of each.
Painted walkways are a standard feature in most factories. They offer visual guidance for both pedestrians and forklift operators by clearly marking safe walk zones.
But they’re not without drawbacks.
Painted lines can be semi-permanent and difficult to fully remove when layouts change. Even after repainting, old routes often remain visible, especially when durable paints are used to resist wear from forklift traffic.
They also require surface preparation and downtime for drying, something many busy production environments can’t afford.
High-performance floor marking tapes have grown in popularity thanks to improved adhesive technologies. They offer fast installation, a clean finish, and are far easier to change than paint.
That said, not all tapes perform equally.
Lower-quality options may peel up easily or leave behind adhesive residue, which then traps dirt and ruins the clean visual. By contrast, premium tape solutions like Mighty Line are designed to remove cleanly, without damaging the floor or leaving marks.
➡️ Lean more about Mighty Line Floor Tape
Self-adhesive walkways replicate the look of a painted walkway — but without the prep, downtime, or permanence.
They’re pre-printed, full-width tapes available in a range of colours and designs. The key advantage? They’re fast to install, long-lasting, and easily replaceable when worn.
If your facility layout changes regularly, or if you want a cost-effective way to trial a walkway design before making it permanent, this is a great option.
When space is limited or barriers aren’t practical, projected lines and signs provide a virtual but highly effective solution.
Mounted LED or laser projectors display visual walkways, stop signs, or alerts directly onto the floor. They’re especially useful in:
Shared-use spaces between pedestrians and vehicles
Sites requiring hygiene or easy-clean floors
Temporary or flexible-use zones
Because they’re mounted overhead, they don’t take up floor space — and they can be repositioned or reprogrammed as site needs evolve.
➡️ Find out more about projected walkways and how they compare to tape or paint
When physical separation is critical, polymer barriers provide maximum protection for people, assets, and infrastructure.
Unlike steel barriers, which transfer energy from impact into the floor or vehicle, polymer barriers absorb and dissipate that energy — protecting your site and your workforce.
Clarity’s polymer barrier systems are available in a wide range of strengths and formats, from pedestrian-only zones to heavy-duty FLT routes.
Key benefits include:
Energy-absorbing design that flexes on impact
Long-term durability with minimal maintenance
Less damage to floors and vehicles
High visibility for better hazard awareness
Read more: What should I expect to pay for polymer barriers?
There’s no universal answer, but there is always a better fit for your unique space, traffic, and layout.
Some sites combine all five solutions across different zones. Others begin with one small area and scale over time.
If you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to help. Our team can guide you through every option, from barriers and tape to full visual site redesigns.