Glass Outlet Pty Ltd

Glass Outlet's Virginia facility in Brisbane operates as a high-volume industrial distribution site, where customers and staff regularly work in close proximity to forklifts, cranes and other material handling vehicles while picking and packing orders.

As part of the facility upgrades, Glass Outlet engaged Barrier Group to consult on appropriate safety solutions, commencing with an on-site assessment conducted by a dedicated Barrier Group Account Manager.

During the assessment, it was identified that the facility needed a heavy-duty asset protection system to:

• Physically segregate and safeguard vulnerable pedestrian walkways and pickup zones from active material handling vehicle movement; and
• Protection of facility infrastructure (structural columns) that were adjacent to forklift travel routes.

Additionally, forklift operators required a flexible delineation system that would allow them to rapidly establish temporary exclusion zones during stock transfers and other high-risk tasks.

In line with the key project requirements, the FlexGuard™ Polymer Barrier System was recommended as the most suitable asset protection solution. Its modular design enables efficient logistics and installation with minimal disruption to site operations, helping reduce installation time and minimise operational downtime for the client. Additionally, the FlexGuard™ Polymer Barrier System provides a lower total cost of ownership by reducing ongoing maintenance requirements and minimising potential damage to both the facility floor and vehicles in the event of an impact.

The full scope of the safety upgrade included:

• FlexGuard™ Triple Rail Barrier was installed along key pedestrian walkways; wrapping around the facility's drive-in collection zone.
• FlexGuard™ Swing Gates were positioned at key pedestrian access points along the barrier perimeter, maintaining controlled entry while blending seamlessly with the polymer barrier aesthetic. (Note: Ball Fence Swing Gates are also available as an alternative option).
• Heavy-Duty Column Cushion were installed across the facility's key structural support columns to provides premium protection against direct forklift contact.
• Pilot 5 Retractable Belt Barriers were chosen for on-the-go temporary operational zones during stock transfers and warehouse aisle changes. Used with Pilot Magna Mount Brackets, the magnetised backing allows the retractable belt units to be ‘Twist-Loked’ on and secured directly to vehicles or pallet racking as needed.