The traditional reliance on Joules as the primary measure of warehouse safety barriers has become outdated. While Joules have served as a baseline for many years, the emergence of modern technology and the advancement of machinery have rendered them insufficient. Relying solely on Joules oversimplifies safety decisions and increases risk. This outdated measurement highlights why there is a need to move away from traditional measuring standards to new systems that are better suited to the modern reality of industrial workplaces.
No longer fit for purpose
Warehouses have become much more multifaceted environments with the advancement of technology and machinery, which means that safety measures must also evolve. As operations grow in complexity, a one-size-fits-all approach is no longer sufficient. For example, two different vehicles travelling at identical speeds and carrying the same load can create vastly different impact scenarios based on factors like approach angle, height, and impact location. A single Joules rating does not adequately account for these real-world variables that warehouse managers deal with daily.
The disconnect between Joules measurements without context and practical applications has significant safety implications. Safety providers seem to have entered a race to see who can claim their barriers can withstand the highest number of Joules without considering the complexity of warehouse operations. In the end, the focus is on who can claim the highest number of Joules without understanding its implications or how it affects real business requirements. Focussing solely on the number of Joules ignores the complexity of industrial environments and is no longer fit for purpose if we wish to maintain high safety standards.
The need to protect from real-world variables
The industry must transition towards a more comprehensive classification system that considers the full spectrum of operational variables. Can a product withstand repetitive impacts – one, two or three times, day after day? Do these impacts damage it or even destroy it? Is it fit for purpose in both day-to-day rigorous use and worst-case scenarios? These are questions that cannot just be answered with impact forces measured in Joules, but by including factors such as:
Vehicle type and weight Angle, height and location of impact Frequency of potential collisions
By taking into consideration specific variables for each safety solution, barriers can be strategically placed to be truly fit for purpose, offering protection that is more effective and efficient. For example, barriers designed to withstand high-energy impacts are essential in areas with heavy machinery traffic, while lighter-duty protection can be suitable for pedestrian zones or light equipment areas. This targeted approach enhances safety and optimises resource allocation by ensuring that protective measures are precisely calibrated to actual risks.
A new standard for workplace safety
True innovation is not about adding complexity but delivering practical, user-focused benefits. Comprehensive safety requires a classification system that minimises risk by moving beyond one-size-fits-all metrics while remaining flexible to specific operational demands. To maintain high safety standards, we must move beyond the narrow focus of judging barriers as superior or inferior based solely on which one can withstand the highest number of Joules.