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Where Should My Walkways Be in My Warehouse?

Written by Damian White | Jun 3, 2025 10:42:57 AM

 

How to Plan Safe, Compliant and Segregated Pedestrian Routes That Actually Work

If you're planning a warehouse layout, or retrofitting an older site, one of the most important decisions you'll make is where to place your pedestrian walkways.

Get it wrong, and you risk near misses, poor traffic flow, and compliance or even legal issues. Get it right, and you create a safer, smoother, and more efficient environment for everyone.

This article covers how to approach walkway planning the right way.

Start With Your Pedestrian Objectives

Before marking any lines on the floor, ask:
"Where are people naturally walking now and is it safe?"
"Where do visitors enter? Where do teams cross into work zones? Where are the common hold-ups?"

A good walkway plan works with your operations, not against them.

At Clarity, we always recommend beginning with a site safety survey, or what we call a "lighthouse area; this is a section of the site that you optimise first. This approach lets you prove the concept, show results, and gain internal buy-in without redesigning the whole facility at once.

Key Zones That Require Defined Walkways

Every site is different, but here are the typical zones that should always have clear pedestrian segregation:

  • Between loading bays and offices

  • Around packing stations or assembly lines

  • Near FLT traffic routes or turning zones

  • Across access points to toilets, canteens, or rest areas

  • Along racking aisles where foot traffic and machinery mix

If you’re unsure what’s safe or compliant, we’ve written a full guide that you can download below.

Use Barriers to Support Safe Movement

Marking walkways is only one piece of the puzzle. To truly protect your people, use physical barriers alongside them, especially where heavy MHE is in operation.

At Clarity, we supply a wide range of flexible polymer barriers that absorb impact instead of transferring it, helping reduce injuries and damage.

Should You Use Tape, Painted Lines or Projected Walkways?

Each has its place:

  • Tape like Mighty Line Floor Tape is fast to install, long-lasting, and ideal for flexible layouts

  • Paint offers a budget-friendly start point but wears quickly under traffic

  • Projected walkways (laser or LED) offer premium, zero-contact options for high-wear zones or when temporary markings are needed

Final Tip: Think Visibility, Not Just Location

It’s not enough to have a walkway, it needs to be seen and understood at a glance.

  • Use high-contrast markings (green and yellow work well)

  • Add signage or projection where sightlines are limited

  • Consider pairing with sensors or gates at busy intersections

Need Support Planning Your Layout?

At Clarity, we offer on-site surveys and consultancy, full layout drawings, and modular barrier recommendations, all designed to help you meet PAS 13 standards and protect your people.