PAS 13 was created and published by the British Standards Institution in association with the Health and Safety Executive. The BSI worked with a steering group made up of many high-profile blue-chip companies. These companies were able to offer first-hand experience of safety across a range of industries, to create a consistent and transferable set of guidelines for barrier installation.

PAS 13: The Code of Practice for Safety Barriers explained

Posted on 8 March 2023 by Maisie Greenfield

PAS 13 Code of Practice for Safety Barriers was developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI), and is published as the Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 13, Code of practice for safety barriers used in traffic management within workplace environments with test methods for safety barrier impact resilience.

What is PAS 13 code of practice?

PAS 13 is the only code of practice for industrial safety barriers that is recognised globally. It is intended to be used as a reference for engineers, architects, contractors, health and safety professionals, and other stakeholders involved in the design, construction, deployment and maintenance of safety barriers. The code is based on the principles of risk assessment and recommends selecting the appropriate safety barriers based on the potential hazards and risks.

Compliance with PAS 13 can help ensure that safety barriers are effective in protecting people and assets from potential hazards and minimize the risk of accidents and injuries.

Why was PAS 13 created?

The consequences of workplace accidents and injuries can be severe. They can result in lost productivity, downtime, and increased maintenance and repair costs. Moreover, they can lead to long-term health problems for employees and even legal and financial liabilities for the company.

According to Health and Safety Executive statistics approximately 50 people are killed each year, and more than 5,000 injured, in accidents involving workplace transport. PAS 13 outlines the current good practice traffic management procedures for a workplace and provides a standard for the safety barriers within them.

Mixing vehicles and pedestrians increases the risk of potential accidents, so it is imperative that steps are taken to minimize the associated risks. PAS 13 gives recommendations for impact resilience, dimensions and positions of safety barriers in the workplace; guidance on how to manage the risks associated with vehicles within the workplace; and specifies the criteria for testing the impact resilience of a barrier.

Overview of PAS 13

PAS 13 is a code of practice for industrial safety barriers that provides comprehensive guidance on good practice for using industrial safety barriers. As mentioned earlier, it is an official document produced by the British Standards Institution (BSI) and is globally recognised as the most reliable code of practice for industrial safety barriers.

PAS 13 is broken down into two sections. The first section provides Health and Safety and Operations managers with detailed guidance on the correct application of safety barriers at busy industrial facilities. This section includes recommendations on how to select the appropriate barrier system based on the level of risk, traffic flow, and environmental conditions.

The second section of PAS 13 is primarily for safety barrier manufacturers. It covers how to conduct standardised testing of safety barriers for strength and durability and record results in a way that is clear and transparent for customers. This section of PAS 13 helps manufacturers ensure that their products meet the required strength and durability standards, giving customers peace of mind when selecting their barrier systems.

Advantages of using impact barriers in industrial workplaces

The use of impact barriers in industrial workplaces can have numerous benefits, including:

Racking protection

Impact barriers can also provide protection for racking and other storage systems. In busy industrial facilities, forklifts and other vehicles can cause damage to racking, which can be costly to repair or replace. Impact barriers can absorb the force of collisions, minimizing damage and reducing maintenance and repair costs.

Pedestrian protection

Impact barriers can be used to create safe pedestrian walkways in busy industrial facilities. By separating pedestrian areas from areas where vehicles are operating, the risk of accidents is greatly reduced. This can help to create a safer working environment and reduce the risk of accidents.

Forklift damage

Forklifts are a common cause of damage in industrial facilities, and collisions with other vehicles, racking, and equipment can be costly to repair. Impact barriers can help to absorb the force of collisions, reducing the risk of damage to forklifts and other vehicles.

Maintenance and repair costs

By reducing the risk of damage to racking, equipment, and vehicles, impact barriers can also help to reduce maintenance and repair costs. In addition, impact barriers themselves are designed to be durable and long-lasting, reducing the need for frequent replacement.

The use of impact barriers in industrial workplaces can have numerous benefits, including increased employee safety, protection for racking and other storage systems, safe pedestrian walkways, reduced damage to forklifts and other vehicles, and lower maintenance and repair costs. By investing in impact barriers and following the guidelines set out in PAS 13, companies can create a safer working environment and improve the efficiency of their operations.

PAS 13 benefits

Health and safety managers, procurement specialists, directors, facility managers, project managers and site safety leaders will benefit from PAS 13. It will also likely be of interest to those who want to apply traffic management procedures and those who test and measure the performance of safety barriers will also benefit from PAS, and manufacturers and distributors of safety barriers.

Here are some of the ways Implementing PAS 13 can greatly improve the use of impact barriers in industrial workplaces:

Clear guidelines for barrier selection: PAS 13 provides detailed guidelines for the correct application of safety barriers in industrial facilities. This includes information on the selection of barriers that best fit the needs of the facility, taking into account factors such as vehicle types, traffic flow, and the potential for impact.
Standardised testing for barrier strength and durability: The second section of PAS 13 covers how to conduct standardised testing of safety barriers for strength and durability, and record results in a way that is clear and transparent for customers. This ensures that all barriers used in the facility meet a consistent standard for safety and durability.
Improved traffic management: The guidelines set out in PAS 13 can also help to improve traffic management in industrial facilities. By using barriers to separate pedestrian walkways from areas where vehicles are operating, the risk of accidents is greatly reduced. This can help to create a safer working environment and improve the efficiency of operations by reducing downtime due to accidents.
Safety: The primary objective of impact barriers is to prevent accidents and protect workers from hazards. By manufacturers following the recommendations and requirements set out in PAS 13, customers can ensure that their safety barriers are properly designed and installed to provide maximum protection for workers.
Risk assessment: PAS 13 emphasises the importance of conducting a thorough risk assessment before installing safety barriers. This helps businesses identify potential hazards and ensure that their safety barriers are designed to address these specific risks.
Cost-effectiveness: Properly designed and installed safety barriers can help reduce the risk of accidents and damage to equipment and products, which can ultimately result in cost savings for businesses.

In conclusion, the use of impact barriers in industrial workplaces is essential for protecting employees and equipment from harm. The implementation of the PAS 13 code of conduct for industrial safety barriers provides a reliable and effective means of ensuring that the correct barriers are selected and used in the workplace. PAS 13 provides clear guidelines for barrier selection, standardised testing for barrier strength and durability, improved traffic management, reduced maintenance and repair costs, and compliance with safety regulations.

By following the guidelines set out in PAS 13, companies can create a safer working environment and improve the efficiency of their operations. Investing in high-quality impact barriers that meet PAS 13 standards not only reduces the risk of accidents but also protects the company from liability and reduces maintenance and repair costs over time.

Therefore, we highly recommend that all industrial workplaces use the PAS 13 code of conduct when selecting and implementing impact barriers. As a leading provider of impact protection barriers, our company offers a range of high-quality barriers that meet PAS 13 guidance.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you improve safety in your industrial workplace and view our range of barriers.

RACK GROUP & BRANDSAFE POLYMER BARRIERS TESTED TO PAS13

Posted on 8 March 2023 by Maisie Greenfield

The testing measures the impact resilience of the barrier products, ensuring customers can confidently choose the right barrier for their industrial workplaces. By choosing to adhere to PAS13, the only code of practice for traffic management within workplace environments, IWS Group are one of only a handful of companies committing to the highest benchmark in the industry today.

Testing of the barrier range recently took place at Rack Group in Barnsley, where the barriers are designed and manufactured. A custom-built pendulum was used to strike the barriers at various points to measure the resilience of the barrier. How much force the barrier could take, as well as how much it deflected was recorded.

Commenting on what the testing means for distributors and customers, Stuart Ovington, MD of Rack Group said “This testing is an important step for distributors to be confident in providing barriers that adhere to a high standard and for customers looking to purchase impact protection barriers for their workplace. Knowing what impact forces a barrier can take, is a vital first step in choosing the right barrier. Not every barrier manufacturer undertakes testing to this standard, so we are proud to be amongst the industry leaders. We will also be shortly receiving TUV Nord, who will be attending our testing and reviewing our test data to ensure it abides by the PAS13 guidelines.”

To find out more about the polymer barrier range visit https://therackgroup.com/product-category/impact-protection

Overview of our PAS 13 testing

A weighted pendulum was used to strike the barriers at various points to measure the resilience of the barrier. How much force the barrier could take, as well as how much it deflected was recorded. These measurements enable customers to choose the right type of barrier for their warehouse, depending on the amount of impact they need to withstand. The testing also advises the distance behind the barrier that is considered the ‘safe zone’, which is identified following installation of the barrier.

Polymer barrier range from IWS Group has been tested in line with the PAS13 code of practice
Range includes pedestrian, racking and low level protections barriers, plus bollards and a metal guardrail
Testing took place at Rack Group Training Centre in Barnsley, where the barriers are manufactured and shipped to customers
Teams from IWS Group companies Brandsafe and Rack Group carried out the testing using a custom built pendulum
Testing took place over 5 days where each barrier was tested multiple times in accordance with PAS13, the code of practice for safety barriers
The barriers were hit with the pendulum at the end post and in the middle of the rail
High speed cameras, industrial scales and load cells were used to verify the equipment
PAS13 is the industry’s only code of practice that advises on the types of barriers that are suitable for use within the workplace to segregate vehicles and pedestrians. It also includes guidance on how safety barriers should be tested to demonstrate their resilience.
The pendulum tests are weighted to mimic the impact force experienced by material handling equipment colliding with safety barriers.

KEEPING PEOPLE, PRODUCTS, AND PROPERTY SAFE

Rack Armour® returns to ProMat 2023

Posted on 20 February 2023 by Maisie Greenfield

Rack Armour® returns to ProMat as the world’s leading impact protection for racking uprights, with a new USA range of industrial products, already used widely across Europe.

Rack Armour®, from its location on Stand N6636, will return to ProMAT to display innovative products and solutions for the logistics, material handling, and industrial sectors across the USA. These range from impact protection of racking and storage systems to warehouse recycling solutions, labelling, visual management signage, and more.

Along with Lean Inc, USA master distributor, Rack Armour® will exhibit the world’s best-selling upright protection solution which guarantees an 80% reduction in racking damage. Made from ballistics grade plastic, the outer shell of Rack Armour® is shaped to divert impact energy around the rack leg instead of through it. Any remaining impact energy is absorbed by the interior foam until it’s diffused. This twin action protection uniquely helps maintain the structural integrity of the racking system – which saves tens of thousands of pounds in damage repair costs. Lean Inc will be happy to discuss USA reseller opportunities for this fantastic product which provides an 800% proven customer ROI.

Beaverswood®, a leading manufacturer of visual management and recycling solutions, will be on hand to showcase its latest products to potential USA resellers, such as the award-winning racksack® mini. Available in many sizes, this waste segregation solution is perfect for shelving, smaller racking areas, and workbenches, picking stations, desks, and more. Additionally, Modulean® rack end shadow boards, an innovative way to transform redundant end-of-aisle racking space into working space, will be displayed. All of this, plus Beaverswood®’s well-known offering of high-quality warehouse labels, aisle and bay markers, document display, and floor marking, will be on show.

Rack Armour® and Beaverswood® are part of IWS Group, a group of industry-leading companies, cutting-edge in their own fields of expertise, while working collaboratively to provide outstanding services and solutions in the industrial workplace. Lean Inc is the master distributor in the USA and is actively looking to onboard more distributors across the USA for both Rack Armour® and Beaverswood®. We will have several representatives from Lean Inc, Rack Armour®, and Beaverswood® on our stand, ready to explain how these innovative products can best support your organisation.

Working in the heat, is it safe?

Posted on 18 July 2022 by Maisie Greenfield

Summer is here!

The Great British summertime might be a little... unpredictable, at times. Sun, wind, rain, hail, and anything else mother nature sends our way. But we are usually guaranteed at least a few weeks of warmth and sunshine sometime between May and September.

If you are working outside, you might rejoice in some much-needed warmth. But what about the dangers?

We have covered the risks of winter working before, and the cold. But what about summer working, is that safe? In addition to the risks you already need to control, working outside in hot weather brings two additional hazards:

• Sun
• Heat

A bit of sunshine isn't a bad thing. And it's certainly nice to feel warm. Working outdoors can be more enjoyable in the summer. But the sun and heat can also be dangerous if we don't protect ourselves.

Sun Exposure and Working Outside

The sun can make you feel great. You might go on holiday to get even more of it. For many people, a bit of sunshine is a great thing. But top up your vitamin D and not your tan, because working outdoors can expose your skin to more sun than is good for you.
It seems easy to get caught out by the sun when working outdoors. We didn't expect it. We forgot to pack the sunscreen on our way out the door. Perhaps because heatwaves don't happen as often as we would like them in the UK. Or maybe because we have other things on our mind when we go to work.

Short term skin damage from high levels of sun exposure can cause sunburn. This can be painful and uncomfortable for weeks as skin blisters and peels. Even a gradual tan will speed up the ageing of your skin over the long term.

One of the more serious dangers of sun exposure is skin cancer. Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. And UV light from the sun can cause it. The British Skin Foundation says that 40,000 new cases of skin cancer are reported each year. The NHS reports that more than 100,000 new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the UK.

Steps To Reduce Risk Of Overexposure To UV

Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is the main cause of non-melanoma skin cancer. UV light comes from the sun, as well as from artificial tanning sunbeds and sunlamps.

As an outdoor worker, it is hard to completely avoid the sun when it's out. But you can take steps to protect your skin and avoid over-exposure. This will lower your risks from some of the more harmful effects:

• Stay in the shade when possible
• Use a high factor sunscreen on any exposed skin (the higher the SPF the better)
• Re-apply sunscreen throughout the day
• Wear a hat
• Wear a top and clothing that covers the skin (especially any areas without sunscreen)
• Take regular breaks out of the sun

Working In The Heat And Heat Stress

This is the UK. How hot does it really get? Is heat a real problem? Well, yes. Especially at work. Because you're not on holiday, able to cool off in the pool or an airconditioned hotel room (unless you happen to be working on a holiday resort).

You're at work. You might be doing a really intense physical task, which is hard enough in a cool environment. Add extra heat to the mix, you're going to get hot and sweaty. You might need to wear extra PPE to protect you from other hazards of the job, which might prevent you from sweating properly and cooling off.

“Heat stress occurs when the body’s means of controlling its internal temperature starts to fail. As well as air temperature, factors such as work rate, humidity and clothing worn while working may lead to heat stress. Therefore, it may not be obvious to someone passing through the workplace that there is a risk of heat stress."
HSE Heat stress

And heat stress can be serious. It can make you feel unwell, lack concentration, get muscle cramps, faint. You can develop heat exhaustion, feeling tired and sick, get a headache and feel clammy. At its most serious, heat stroke can bring confusion, convulsions, loss of consciousness and can even be fatal.

Working Outside In The Heat

If you are working outside in the heat, you can take steps to minimise the risk of heat stress and keep cool. Here are some top tips:
• Keep hydrated
• Regular breaks
• Cool down
• Work in the shade
• Plan your work

First, stay hydrated. Cold drinks will both keep you cool and replace the water lost through sweating. You should take regular breaks out of the sun and heat, to give your body a chance to cool down and recover.

If you can work in the shade where it is cooler, do so. You can also plan your work so that more intensive tasks take place early or late when the temperature is lower.
You made need to make extra allowances. Particularly during longer spells of hot weather. Like specialist PPE to keep you cool and safe. Or installing fans and air conditioning in break areas.

Be especially careful if you're not used to working in hot environments. Your body needs time to adjust to working in the heat. If a sudden heatwave arrives, give yourself time to get used to working in hot weather. Be extra careful the first few days.

Rack Group now stock top racking manufacturers

Posted on 10 July 2022 by Maisie Greenfield

IWS Group Announces Acquisition of Anco Storage Equipment Ltd

Posted on 27 June 2022 by Maisie Greenfield

Anco Storage Equipment Ltd Joins IWS Group

We’re very excited to announce our parent company, IWS Group, has acquired Anco Storage Equipment Ltd, the largest trade-only supplier of storage solutions in the UK.

Established in 1991 in West Sussex, Anco has gained an enviable reputation for quality and service at a competitive price. Exclusively through its trade-only distribution channel, Anco offers an extensive range of over 7,000 variations of products, covering all kinds of applications from industrial racking, multi-tier projects and mezzanine flooring, to office archive storage and modular shelving. Anco stores over £3M worth of stock in their warehouse to facilitate quick turn-around times on orders.

What does this mean for Rack Group and its Customers?

Anco and its wealth of storage solutions is the perfect complement to IWS Group’s growing portfolio of innovative industrial workspace brands. This acquisition will no doubt further strengthen our product offering, resource, infrastructure, and capability, to provide our Rack Group customers not only an enhanced range offering, but provides a whole new category of products and services available to you.

The IWS Group Family

About IWS Group

IWS Group is a rapidly growing family of market-leading product brands and service companies which provide essential supplies and services to the warehouse and logistics, material handling, and industrial sectors.

The group portfolio currently includes Beaverswood, Brandsafe, Rack Group, and now Anco.

Visit: www.iws.group

About Beaverswood

Beaverswood manufactures innovative products that improve the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of the physical workspace. The Beaverswood range of warehouse safety and management products includes labelling and signage, recycling solutions, identification products and visual communication solutions.

Visit: www.beaverswood.co.uk

About Brandsafe

Brandsafe is Europe’s leading provider of high visibility impact protection and site safety for industrial buildings worldwide, such as warehouses, manufacturing sites and logistics hubs.

Its innovative traffic management and pedestrian safety solutions are designed to sustainably prevent and protect people, products and property from impact damage.

Visit: www.brandsafeprotection.com

A new solution for end of aisle communication

Posted on 21 June 2022 by Maisie Greenfield

NEW shadow boards now available!

Rack Group are excited to announce a new product as part of our growing Warehouse Accessories range! Introducing the Modulean® Rack End Boards - these large shadow boards are designed for warehouse end of aisle racking systems.

Keep your warehouse organised with NEW Modulean® Rack End Boards

A range of standard 2000mm high x 900mm wide boards available
Suitable for all types of warehouse racking
Supplied with all products on display
Available with either single or double aisle markers
Each board is also supplied with a weight load notice

Available in 7 shadow board designs, each in 4 different colours

Being 2000mm high x 900mm wide, these Rack End Boards have been designed to fit warehouse end of aisle racking systems. 1100mm wide boards are also available to order to suit both sizes of pallet racking.

Each board is available with either single or double aisle markers, with easy to change inserts customised for your warehouse. Simply let us know what aisle information you need.

Supplied with the products on display including a title frame, as well as fixings, we’ve made it as easy as possible for you to install a Modulean® Rack End Board.

To help you comply with regulations, a weight load notice is also included with each board, which are mandatory for all racking. Weight load notices can be printed with weight limits and information – please confirm the details you need printed. If no information is received these will be supplied blank for you to add your information using a marker pen.

New USA Master Distributor for Rack Armour

Posted on 13 May 2022 by Maisie Greenfield

Rack Armour has been a brand sold across the USA and Canada since it’s US patent in 2012. Since then the unique polymer racking upright protection guard has grown in popularity thanks to its ballistics-grade exterior and impact absorbing foam interior.

Based in Anaheim, California, Lean Inc Materials Handling specialise in racking alterations, repairs and designing efficient warehouse layouts. Lean Inc also supply a range of racking protection products that complement the racking installation services they offer.

Stuart Ovington, Managing Director at Rack Group says “Bringing Lean Inc on board as the Master Distributor is an exciting next step for growing our Rack Armour brand in the USA. We will be able to streamline our operations and ensure our customers receive a fast and reliable service."

Is your warehouse 100% safe? Webinar

Posted on 1 May 2022 by Maisie Greenfield

The Ultimate Guide to Racking Safety Audits

This is where the safety Webinar on ‘Is Your Warehouse 100% Safe? The Ultimate Guide to Racking Safety Audits’ will take place - at 2pm on 18th May 2022!

Has auditing become a lengthy, over-complicated process?

Graeme Waller, (Training Manager at Rack Group,) and Kirsty Rogers, (Managing Director at Specialist Industrials Ltd,) will discuss how to organise, plan and successfully execute your warehouse safety audit - making audits faster and easier.

This Webinar supplies all the need-to-know basics in just a 30 minute live conference, complete with a live Q&A so you can speak directly to the experts about your specific issues.

Safety & Health Expo 2022

Posted on 29 April 2022 by Maisie Greenfield

Come and join us at Safety & Health Expo May 2022

Join Rack Group, Beaverswood and Brandsafe as we exhibit for the first time as IWS Group!

The Safety & Health Expo is the UK's largest event for health and safety professionals and is where tens of thousands of health and safety professionals come together to innovate, collaborate, and fulfil their goals.

Tickets are free, get yours today.

WHEN

17 - 19 May 2022

WHERE

ExCeL London

Stand location

Visit us at Stand SH1450 at the Safety and Health Expo 2022

Company Updates

The official best practice for safety barriers and traffic management in industrial facilities

What is PAS 13 code of practice?

Why was PAS 13 created?

Who created PAS 13?

Overview of PAS 13

Advantages of using impact barriers in industrial workplaces

PAS 13 benefits

Rack Group and Brandsafe, both part of the IWS Group, have successfully impact tested their range of polymer safety barriers according to the PAS13 code of practice.

Overview of our PAS 13 testing

WHY PAS 13 SHOULD BE USED IN ALL INDUSTRIAL WORKPLACES

Our no-nonsense guarantee

Rack Armour® returns to ProMat as the world’s leading impact protection for racking uprights, with a new USA range of industrial products, already used widely across Europe.

Sun Exposure and Working Outside

Steps To Reduce Risk Of Overexposure To UV

Working In The Heat And Heat Stress

Working Outside In The Heat

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Racking stock update

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Cornix

PSS

AR Racking

Speak to a member of the team today.

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Anco Storage Equipment Ltd Joins IWS Group

What does this mean for Rack Group and its Customers?

The IWS Group Family

About IWS Group

About Beaverswood

About Brandsafe

Don't miss out on the latest news and offers

NEW shadow boards now available!

Speak to a member of the team today.

Rack Group have signed Lean Inc. as the Master Distributor for Rack Armour upright protection guards across the USA and Canada.

Don't want to miss future updates or special offers?

The Ultimate Guide to Racking Safety Audits

Don't want to miss future updates or special offers?

Come and join us at Safety & Health Expo May 2022

WHEN

WHERE

Stand location

Come and have a chat with the group's experts about our extensive range of products and services, including:

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