Pallet Rack Guards | Protect Uprights, Inventory, and Aisles from Impact
Pallet rack guards provide essential protection for warehouse infrastructure, including upright columns, pallet rack ends, and backing. Reduce impact damage, protect staff, and maintain OSHA compliance with rack protection systems built for durability.
Column Guards for Upright Impact Protection
Pallet rack column protectors are built to shield upright frames from forklift collisions and daily contact. These guards absorb and deflect impact, helping to prevent structural damage and reduce repair costs. They are a must-have for high-traffic warehouse areas where racking is exposed to moving equipment.
Available in bolt-down or strap-on styles, column guards are compatible with most selective rack systems. Adding upright protection is a cost-effective way to improve rack lifespan and employee safety in any storage environment.
Impact Resistance
- Shields uprights from forklift and pallet jack contact
- Easy bolt-down or strap-on installation
- Fits standard pallet rack sizes and profiles
- High-visibility finishes for safety compliance
- Prevents costly damage and improves safety
End-of-Row Rack Guards for Aisle Protection
End-of-row guards protect the sides of pallet racks from impact during forklift turns or aisle navigation. These steel barriers are anchored to the floor and absorb direct hits that could otherwise damage uprights or knock the entire row out of alignment.
Positioned at high-risk impact zones, rack end guards are a critical safety component for distribution centers, shipping docks, and high-traffic storage areas. Their bright finish improves visibility, helping operators avoid contact.
Features
- Prevents side impact at rack row ends
- Anchored steel barriers for strength and stability
- Works with most standard racking systems
- Increases visibility in forklift lanes
- Helps facilities meet OSHA safety goals
Rack Backing Panels for Fall Prevention
Rack backing systems help stop stored materials from falling off the back of pallet racks. These wire mesh panels are mounted to the rear of the rack to act as a barrier that keeps inventory contained and employees safe. They are especially important in locations where racks border walkways or work zones.
Backing panels are modular and easy to install. They also allow full airflow and visibility for inventory checks while helping to maintain a clean and compliant warehouse.
Safety First
- Prevents product falls from rear of racking
- Mesh construction allows airflow and visibility
- Mounts directly to pallet rack frames
- Improves safety near foot traffic zones
- Fast to install and easy to retrofit
Bollards and Column Guards for Maximum Rack Protection
Combining bollards with column guards offers added protection for high-impact zones across the warehouse. Steel pipe bollards are installed in front of racks, doorways, or sensitive equipment to stop forklifts before they reach the structure. When paired with rack-mounted column guards, these systems create a layered defense against collisions and costly damage.
Bollards are available in floor-mounted or core-drilled options with bright finishes to enhance visibility. Used together, these solutions help prevent downtime and extend the life of your racking investment.
Protect Your Facility
- Floor-mounted bollards absorb heavy forklift impact
- Column guards protect upright frames directly
- Combines visual and physical safety barriers
- Ideal for high-traffic corners and aisle ends
- Helps prevent racking damage and inventory loss
Protect Your Facility with Pallet Rack Guards
Pallet Rack Column Guard
Pallet Rack End Guard
Safety Bollard Post
Honest Results
“Thanks for getting our Compact Pallet Rack system completed on time with little disruptions to our operation. Jim did a great job of listening to understand our needs and was able to design a system that works well for us. Kerry and the installation group were great. They were well organized and left the area very clean every day and at the end of the project.”
“Just wanted to reach out and tell you how pleased I am with the renovation. I have been at SMU for quite a long time and for a while I thought that I was destined for inefficient, terrible storage spaces. The transformation that took place was absolutely mind blowing.”
“Together your employees make a magnificent team that portrays good work ethics, dedication, and positive attitude that would make any company proud. The customer service that these gentlemen have given Team Tinker only ensures that we will continue to maintain a partnership with Southwest Solutions Group. Keep up the good work.”
Frequently Asked Questions
- Column guards: Protect individual upright frames from forklift impact
- End-of-row guards: Shield rack sides at aisle ends
- Rack backing panels: Prevent stored items from falling backward
- Bollards: Floor-anchored posts that stop equipment before it hits racks
- Corner guards: Protect exposed corners from side hits
- Around upright columns in traffic lanes
- At the end of each rack row
- Behind racks bordering pedestrian walkways
- Near staging zones or dock doors
- Along turning points in narrow aisles
Yes. Most rack safety products are designed for simple retrofitting. Column guards and end-of-row barriers are often bolt-on or strap-on installations that do not require rack disassembly. Backing panels mount to the rear of existing frames and can be cut to size or added modularly. Bollards only require surface anchoring or core-drilling. With minimal tools and downtime, these upgrades allow facilities to bring older racking up to current safety standards.
- Prevents damage to uprights, frames, and aisle ends
- Helps reduce repair costs and equipment downtime
- Improves visibility for forklift operators
- Supports safer working conditions in high-traffic areas
- Adds physical barriers to separate equipment from racking
Column guards help extend the life of racking systems by absorbing collisions that would otherwise dent or bend upright frames. Forklift impacts, even at low speeds, can weaken structural integrity and increase the chance of rack failure. By deflecting this force, guards prevent damage that leads to expensive replacements or collapse risk. Over time, these low-cost guards pay for themselves in avoided repairs and safer daily operations.
Yes, the steel used in most pallet rack guards is specifically selected for durability in industrial environments. Column guards are typically built from thick-gauge steel or high-density polymers and can absorb multiple impacts without permanent deformation. Floor-anchored bollards are made to stop forklifts outright and are often powder-coated for longevity. While no guard is indestructible, most are engineered to hold up under repeated contact in high-traffic warehouses.
Explore Our Racking
Pallet Racking
High-capacity warehouse racks designed for pallet storage, forklifts, and fast product access. Structural and roll-formed options available. Explore Pallet Racking
Wide Span Storage Racks
Heavy-duty racks that bridge the gap between shelving and pallet storage. Ideal for hand-loaded bulk items and backroom inventory.
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Cantilever Racks
Open-arm racks for long, bulky, or oversized items like lumber, piping, or furniture. No vertical obstructions, easy forklift access.
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Gravity Flow Racks
Sloped flow racks keep inventory moving forward for FIFO picking. Ideal for cold storage, staging areas, and high-turnover goods.
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Pallet Rack Bins
Durable bin systems that fit standard pallet racks for organized storage of small parts, supplies, or boxed items.
Explore Pallet Rack BinsProtect Your Racking and Your People
Pallet rack guards are a simple but critical upgrade for any warehouse or storage facility. From upright column protectors to end-of-row barriers and backing panels, these safety solutions help prevent accidents, extend the life of your infrastructure, and keep your operation running smoothly.
Whether you're outfitting a new facility or retrofitting an existing one, Southwest Solutions Group can help you find the right combination of rack protection to match your layout and budget.
Call us at (800) 803-1083 or Contact Us to schedule your free consultation today.
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