A-SAFE Protect New Hoogvliet Facilities With Industrial Safety Guardrails
Dutch supermarket giant, Hoogvliet, recently collaborated with A-SAFE safety specialists to install a number of high quality safety solutions to enhance the protection of its employees and machinery whilst boosting efficiency.
Modern warehouse protection
Hoogvliet, one of the leading supermarket chains in Holland, opened their new 72,000 square meter facilities in 2020 with the growth of the business and the demand for further capacity.
Equipped with the latest technology, the Hoogvliet distribution centre, which is based in Bleiswijk, Netherlands, features a highly efficient operation which is mostly automated.
The operation includes array of automatic processes such as; feed-stations, pallet drop off and depalletization onto trays. Further to this, products are moved around the facilities via conveyor belts and picked by thirteen fully automation Order Picking Machines (OPM) or Semi-Automatic Car Pick Systems (CPS). Although mostly automated, there is still a requirement for pedestrian access and vehicle access around the centre.
A fresh approach to safety solutions
The investment into the new operations HUB brought a fresh approach to protection. This is due to Hoogvliets’ experience with steel barriers at older facilities, which lead to high maintenance costs and damage to flooring foundations and vehicle upon impact.
This has resulted in the forward-thinking company exploring polymer alternatives, due to their high resilience and impact absorption engineering which leads to a signification reduction in costs versus the steel alternative.
Protecting warehouse staff from vehicles
Taking on the guidance of the A-SAFE safety specialists, Hoogvliet moved forward with the installation of polymer safety barriers and swing gates to highlight the approach to areas of high risk to pedestrians, prompting extra care to be taken.
The Dutch supermarket giant also installed A-SAFE bollards to protect loading areas from impact damage. In addition, pedestrian and traffic barriers were installed in stockroom areas to protect employees from moving vehicles.
Seeing the benefits of polymer barriers
Hoogvliet Facilities Manager, Jan Bergman, has observed the positive impact that A-SAFE solutions have had in their distribution centre. The range of products have successfully reduced damage to internal transport, and the products show little signs of damage following a number of impacts. As a result, the company is already seeing a return on investment.
He states that since the facility became operational 2 years ago, there has been a significant reduction in damage to both the barriers and trucks. “While occasional collisions do still occur, the material used in the barriers is highly resilient and able to absorb impacts with ease. This has led to a significant reduction in the need for repairs on the rack legs, barriers, and concrete floors.”
This is something that was expected by Jan, who during the planning phase of the new distribution centre in 2020, proposed to use polymer solutions over steel was made. Bergman stated, "Collision with a steel system causes considerable damage to the trucks and concrete floors on which the steel barriers are attached to. That’s definitely not the case with A-SAFE polymer safety solutions, leading to a great cost reduction."
Collision with a steel system causes considerable damage to the trucks and concrete floors on which the steel barriers are attached to. That’s definitely not the case with A-SAFE polymer, leading to a great cost reduction.
A-SAFE the reliable safety partner
A-SAFE polymer safety barriers are designed with a patented, flexible polymer called Memaplex™, which allows them to maintain their original shape even after repeated collisions. This not only eliminates the need for costly maintenance and repairs but also provides a cost-effective solution for the managers of distribution centres. As Bergman states, "A-SAFE guarantees the performance of its products through inspection by TÜV-Nord, ensuring they meet PAS 13 guidelines which maintains strict quality standards for safety barriers. This inspires confidence in the durability and high quality of our equipment."
According to Bergman, A-SAFE's polymer safety barriers have additional benefits. Not only do they have a high visibility appearance, but they are easy to clean and can be expanded using the patented coupling system. Bergman notes, "I am very satisfied with A-SAFE solutions. The process of installation and design was smooth and non-disruptive. A-SAFE truly stand behind their process and product quality without any sense of arrogance. We have found a reliable partner!"
Article created in collaboration with WarehouseTotaal
Hoogvliet's Safety Solutions
Segregates and protects people. Defines walkways and provides impact protection from workplace vehicles.
Multi-purpose facility-wide use. Protects corners, doors, impact hotspots and equipment. Stops vehicles, allows pedestrian access.
Tight-fit column protection for square and rectangular columns. Protects vital building structures from light impacts and glancing blows.
Mid-strength guardrail for segregating vehicles with a low-medium impact height. Protects structures and equipment from impact damage.
Mid-strength guardrail with integrated handrail. Segregates vehicles from people and assets. Protects against impact damage.
Protects end of racking aisles against impacts from low ground-clearance vehicles.
Ground-level protection from vehicle forks, preventing damage and injury. It also acts as a pallet stop for stored goods.
Audio-visual overhead alerts for drivers. Prevents vehicle collisions with overhead structures and equipment.
Quick, easy installation that protects rack legs from front, side and scrape damage from industrial vehicles.
Enables quick and easy removal of sections of protective guardrail where infrequent access is required.
Contact our safety experts today for your free, no-obligation consultation