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FALL PROTECTION AND SAFETY GATE FAQS

If you have a question about pallet drop safety gates or loading dock safety not listed below, give us a call - 978-768-3000.

Are there regulations for providing fall protection for employees?

Yes, there are several regulations to protect employees working at heights. OSHA’s Walking-Working Surfaces Regulation, 1910 Subpart D, ANSI Standard MH 28.3-2009 section 6.4.3 and the IBC.

What is the OSHA fall protection regulation?

OSHA’s fall protection regulations reside under OSHA Standard 1910 Subpart D Walking Working Surfaces; duty to have fall protection and falling object protection.

At what height do I need fall protection in my facility?

OSHA's Walking-Working Surfaces Standard Number 1910.28 Duty to have fall protection and falling object protection requires safety devices on any exposed ledge of an elevated working surface at four feet or higher. ANSI’s fall protection standard mandates fall protection at three feet or higher.

How do pallet drop safety gates work?
Pallet drop safety gates are a dual-gate system. The interconnected steel gate design uses counterbalanced gates that create a controlled-access area. When the ledge gate is lifted the rear gate is lowered, allowing the pallet drop area to be replenished without giving employees access, When the ledge gate is lowered, the rear gate is raised, allowing employees to access the area while the ledge is blocked, preventing falls from the upper level.

Are kick plates standard on safety gates?

Our line of pallet drop safety gates are equipped with solid, four-inch kick plates on the sides of the unit as well as both the ledge and rear-side gates.

Will the safety gate fit in a custom size area?
Yes. We can design our safety gate models to a variety of widths and heights. Our stock sizes are single, 64 inches, and double, 104 inches, pallet widths with a clearance height of 82 inches.

Can industrial safety gates be power operated?
Yes. Most pallet drop safety gate designs can be equipped with commercial motors, sensors and power stations to be operated remotely. We also offer the ability to use pneumatic power operation with our Pivot or Open Top safety gate models.

Can mezzanine safety gates be equipped to talk with AGVs or other technology?
Yes, safety gates can be equipped with radio frequency and other technology to allow for communication with AGVs or other equipment. For example, radio frequency and power controls can allow for a lift truck operator to open the safety gate from ground level and load material to the pallet drop area and then close the gate to secure the ledge when finished.

Can pallet drop safety gates connect to rack systems?
Yes. Our safety gate models can be made in a Rack Supported design to fit within any manufacturer’s rack systems. The Roly, Pivot and Tri-Side models can be designed for rack systems.

What kind of fall protection for pallet drop areas is best in pick modules?
Several safety gate designs work well in pick modules, and it’s best to use a Rack Supported design as this type of system will allow the gates to open and close flush with the uprights of the system and not extend into the truck or picking aisle. You can learn more about choosing the right safety gate for pick modules here.

Are mezzanine safety gates easy to operate?

Yes. We design our safety gates to be easy to operate and as ergonomic as possible. The gates require no lifting or moving into place, and can also be equipped with power operation for a virtually no-touch system.

Will industrial safety gates really protect workers when they need it most?
Yes, if they are the right safety gate for the area and are properly installed. The goal is to protect workers from exposing themselves to an unprotected ledge during their entire work operations so it needs to be in place at all times and easy to use.

Will the safety gates be used consistently?

The best safety devices work automatically. If the safety gate requires less effort, such as with the use of power operation, it will be used more often. To ensure consistency of use, workers should not be able to circumvent the system.

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