Safety in production facilities is a key issue for companies, especially in the food industry, where the risk of accidents is high and sanitary requirements are particularly strict. According to data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS), in the first quarter of 2024 there were 15,433 people injured in workplace accidents, which is 7.9% more than in the same period of 2023. A total of 74 fatal accidents and 75 serious accidents were recorded. As in previous years, manufacturing and the transport and warehousing sector remain among the industries most exposed to such incidents.
Such data is a serious warning signal for facility managers – the lack of effective safety measures means not only a threat to employees’ health, but also the risk of costly downtime and repairs. However, appropriate safeguards such as flexible protective barriers and warning systems can even save lives.
In the food industry, safety has an additional dimension. All safety systems, such as protective barriers, must be adapted to the specifics of the sector in order not only to protect employees, but also to ensure cleanliness and meet strict hygiene requirements. One of our implementations shows how safety challenges can be addressed in such demanding conditions.
A leader in the food industry needed effective solutions to protect both employees and infrastructure – all while meeting strict sanitary requirements. The key challenge? The movement of machinery, including forklifts, intersecting with employee work areas. In locations where there was a real risk of collision and forklifts and other machines operated close to workers, traditional steel barrier solutions in a high-bay hall proved insufficient. The company therefore sought a more advanced solution that would not only physically protect people in the hall, but also provide a warning of approaching danger.
Based on an audit carried out by our company, together with the client we decided to implement an advanced system of protective barriers integrated with a warning system. Taking into account the specifics of the facility, we applied the Gate Protector product – modern, high flexible protective barriers made of polymer material, equipped with an advanced sound and light warning system.
We also installed SGR safety gates with a STOP sign, which serve a dual function – as a physical barrier and a warning element. Thanks to the clearly visible STOP sign, the gates remind employees to exercise caution before entering a potentially hazardous zone. Moreover, the warning system is activated automatically – the gates lock when a forklift is detected near the barrier sensors. They unlock once the area becomes safe again.
Along pedestrian routes, we installed Pedestrian barriers with additional protection against lowered forklift forks. Walls in critical areas are now protected against the same hazard by low GB HD+ barriers with a reinforced structure. In areas with a high risk of abrasion and limited installation space, we mounted impact plates to the walls. All products used in this implementation not only absorb collision energy, protecting infrastructure from damage, but also meet the highest hygiene standards.
“The implementation of a wide range of Anter System products in this case is an excellent example of combining infrastructure protection with care for employee health and comfort. Our priority is the modularity of the system, which allows solutions to be adapted to diverse conditions and requirements. Our flexible barriers not only effectively absorb impacts, but are also made of materials that meet sanitary standards (HACCP, FDA), are resistant to extreme temperatures (-40°C to +60°C) and chemicals, which makes them an ideal solution for the food industry as well.” – Tomasz Baryła, Product Manager, Anter System
After implementing flexible protective barriers at the facility, the risk of collisions significantly decreased, while employee sense of safety and work efficiency increased. Fewer instances of equipment and wall damage also translated into tangible savings for the company.
Investing in appropriate safety measures is therefore not only a matter of regulatory compliance, but a real step toward increasing operational efficiency. The use of flexible barriers and warning systems minimizes accident risk and significantly extends the service life of infrastructure. Fewer accidents mean less downtime, lower repair costs, and above all – a calmer and safer working environment for everyone.
Under increasingly strict safety and hygiene standards, products such as polymer-based protective barriers integrated with warning systems and safety gates are becoming an essential element of OHS strategies. If protecting your team and infrastructure is important to you, these solutions can also become a key part of your strategy.
See photos from the implementation:
Data sources:
www.behapowcy.com/wypadki-przy-pracy-w-i-kwartale-2024-r-dane-wstepne/
www.stat.gov.pl/obszary-tematyczne/rynek-pracy/warunki-pracy-wypadki-przy-pracy/wypadki-przy-pracy-w-1-kwartale-2024-roku,3,55.html
