Safety bollard buyer’s guide
Safety in industrial environments is all about preventing accidents and minimising damage. High-quality safety bollards are a key investment in that process. They help keep your valuable machinery and critical infrastructure protected during unavoidable impacts. But how do you choose the right safety bollard for your specific situation? What should you look for when buying, how do you account for your available budget, and what about certifications and standards?
This buyer’s guide provides a clear overview of all the essential elements to help you make an informed decision.
Table of contents
What should you consider when buying safety bollards?
What should safety bollards protect?
Discover why investing in safety bollards is essential for protecting your machinery, infrastructure, and buildings.
Selection criteria: what should you look for when choosing safety bollards?
Which factors influence the choice of the right safety bollards? This ensures that the safety bollards you buy match your environment, industry, and safety requirements.
How busy is the work area and what kind of vehicles are driving around?
Understand how traffic density and vehicle types affect your purchase of safety bollards.
What are the key features of safety bollards?
Learn about essential features such as impact resistance, sustainability, and visibility—factors that determine how effective a safety bollard is.
What to consider regarding ease of installation, placement options, and expandability of safety bollards. Find out how to reduce installation costs and prevent unnecessary downtime.
What should you do after a collision?
Learn what steps to take after a collision to limit further damage and safety risks.
What is the budget and what are the long-term costs?
How do you set the budget—and why is it important to look beyond the initial purchase price?
Certification and standards: what should you look for?
Find out how the right certifications ensure product quality and reliability.
Conclusion: Safety as a smart investment
Tailored advice
Are you considering investing in safety bollards? Take into account several factors, including the risks in your work environment, the intensity of vehicle traffic, and the level of protection required. At Boplan, we’re happy to help you make the right decision.
Would you like a quote or more information about our safety bollards? Get in touch with our team of experts for tailored advice and practical tips.
What should safety bollards protect?
Safety bollards protect several critical areas within an industrial environment.
Equipment and machinery
Machinery and installations are valuable and essential to your production process. A collision or damage can result in extended downtime and costly repairs. Safety bollards absorb impacts and prevent direct contact with machines, loading stations, or sensitive equipment. This not only reduces repair costs but also helps prevent production downtime and operational losses.Buildings and infrastructure
Buildings, loading bays, gates, and walls are constantly exposed to collision risks. Without proper protection, this infrastructure is at risk of serious damage in every collision. Bollards provide a strong, sustainable buffer that protects the building itself, reducing maintenance costs and extending the lifespan of your infrastructure.
Selection criteria: what should you consider when choosing safety bollards?
There are many different types of bollards available. To ensure you select the right one, it’s important to take several key factors into account in advance. Below are the most important selection criteria to help you determine which bollard best fits your specific needs and environment.
4. Ease of installation
Safety bollards should be easy to install—without complex procedures or lengthy downtime. That’s why you should opt for:
- A modular, easy-to-install solution.
- A bollard that can be replaced quickly and with minimal intervention after an impact.
5. Compliance & Certification
Quality and safety must be guaranteed. Always check whether safety bollards comply with recognised safety standards and certifications such as:
- TÜV NORD certification, which confirms that the bollards meet strict safety and quality standards.
- Testing standards such as PAS 13 and UNI/TS 11886-1, which guarantee the declared level of performance.
- Sustainability aspects, such as 100% recyclability and compliance with environmental regulations.
By weighing these criteria carefully, you can make an informed choice and invest in safety bollards that match both your safety needs and your budget. Ask for expert advice to make your decision even easier.
How busy is the work area, and what types of vehicles operate there?
4 factors to consider when dealing with moving traffic in the workplace.
- What type of traffic is there on site?
In environments with heavy traffic – such as forklifts and lorries – robust safety bollards are required to absorb high-impact forces. In zones with lighter traffic, such as hand carts and pallet trucks, less heavy-duty bollards are often sufficient.
- How busy is it and are there peak times?
In constantly busy work areas or during peak times, it is essential to install more robust safety bollards. In environments with frequent vehicle manoeuvres or high traffic flow, bollards must withstand repeated impacts and prolonged stress.
- How fast do the vehicles move?
Vehicle speed influences the choice of safety bollards. The faster the vehicles move, the greater the force of impact during a collision. In areas where higher speeds are permitted, shock-absorbing bollards must be used to handle and dissipate greater energy levels.
- How heavily loaded are the vehicles?
The vehicle load determines the amount of force exerted on the safety bollard during a collision. Heavily laden vehicles have longer braking distances and cause more damage on impact. This requires reinforced protection in critical zones.
What are the key features of safety bollards?
When deciding to invest in safety bollards, it’s essential to consider their key features. This determines how effectively they protect your workplace, how sustainable they are, and how much you can save on costs. Below is a clear overview of the most important functions and features to help you make the right decision.
1.What is their impact resistance?
How much impact should the safety bollard absorb to limit damage to vehicles, infrastructure, and goods? Choose safety bollards made from flexible polymer. The material temporarily deforms on impact and returns to its original shape afterwards.
2. Material and sustainability
Polymer bollards are resistant to corrosion, unlike their steel counterparts. This significantly reduces maintenance and replacement costs. In industrial or chemical environments, it’s also important that the selected bollards are resistant to UV radiation, extreme temperatures, and chemical exposure.
Opting for polymer safety bollards? Make sure they are 100% recyclable. This way, you invest sustainably and reduce your environmental footprint.
3. Safety and ease of use
- Finger safety: look for additional safety features like Boplan’s Base Defender, which helps prevent fingers from becoming trapped between the bollard and a hand cart.
- Some safety bollards also protect the mounting bolts from damage.
- Choose bollards in high-visibility colours or with reflective strips to reduce the risk of collisions.
Four key considerations when installing safety bollards
Correct installation is essential to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of the safety bollards. Here are a few key factors to consider:
2. Who carries out the installation?
Some bollard systems can be installed easily in house, while more complex setups require professional installation. It is important to check in advance whether certified technicians are needed—and whether this has an impact on your project timeline.
4. Flexibility and future expansion
Industrial environments are often subject to change. It is important to choose safety bollards that can be easily repositioned as your infrastructure evolves.
Tip: Plan the installation to minimise disruption to activity in the zone, and involve professionals to ensure optimal performance.
What to do after a collision with a bollard? In 3 steps
A safety bollard truly proves its value in the event of a collision. But what exactly should you do after a collision has occurred? To quickly restore safety for your staff and infrastructure, follow the steps below:
1. Checkpoints after a collision
After each collision, carefully inspect the following checkpoints:
The safety bollard itself
Check whether the bollard has fully returned to its original shape after impact. Although polymer safety bollards absorb impacts well, it is important to check for any permanent deformations or visible cracks.
The base plate and fixings
Also inspect the base plate and fixings that anchor the bollard to the floor. Ensure everything is still secure and undamaged.
The surrounding environment
Check for any indirect damage to surrounding infrastructure, machinery, or goods.
2. Damage? Repair it as soon as possible
The sooner you restore a safe environment, the lower the risk of further damage or injury. A damaged bollard may lose its protective function and could fail to stop a forklift during a subsequent collision. This poses a serious safety risk. Mark and isolate the damaged area with safety tape or temporary barriers until repairs are completed.
3. Choose modular systems
With a modular system, you only need to replace the damaged parts rather than the entire structure. This not only saves costs but also reduces production downtime. For maximum flexibility, choose a system that is easy to expand and adapt.
By responding quickly and appropriately after a collision, you maximise the benefits of polymer bollards and minimise further costs and risks.
What is the budget, and what are the long-term costs of safety bollards?
When investing in safety bollards, your available budget naturally plays a key role. However, it’s crucial to look beyond the initial purchase price and consider what the bollard delivers in the long term—especially how much it can save you. Below, we explain how to best assess these costs:
Budget: look beyond the purchase price
Of course, the unit price matters—but don’t base your decision solely on this direct cost. Pay close attention to the type of polymer safety bollard you need: bollards for high-impact areas typically require a higher investment, while lighter models may be sufficient in low-traffic zones. Carefully calculate how many bollards you need and where they will be installed. This helps avoid unexpected costs later. Don’t forget to account for optional extras—such as reflective strips—to maximise visibility.
Read our blog to learn more about the advantages of polymer safety solutions over steel or concrete alternatives.
Certification and standards for safety bollards: what should you look for?
When buying safety bollards, always check that they meet applicable standards and certifications. Certifications serve as proof that the bollards are safe, reliable, and effective. What should you focus on?
TÜV Nord certification: independently tested
One of the most important certifications for safety bollards is the TÜV NORD certificate. This independent assessment confirms that the bollards have been rigorously tested for impact resistance, safety, and quality. TÜV NORD-certified safety bollards provide proven protection in line with recognised international standards.
Testing standards: UNI/TS 11886-1
Check whether the safety bollards have been tested in accordance with recognised impact standards such as UNI/TS 11886-1. This standard ensures that bollards are effectively tested under realistic impact conditions—guaranteeing reliable protection in your specific work environment.
In many cases, a tailored proposal is the best option. Do your safety solutions need to meet specific standards? At Boplan, we’ll gladly advise and provide a tailored solution that matches your sector and working environment. Get in touch before making your final decision.
Conclusion: Safety as a smart investment
By investing in high-quality polymer safety bollards, you benefit not only from immediate protection and visible safety, but also from significant long-term cost savings. Less maintenance, less damage, less downtime, and fewer risks make safety bollards a smart and sustainable investment.
Safety bollards are rarely the only solution
Combine with other safety solutions
Safety bollards protect critical zones from collisions, but they are rarely a standalone solution. In practice, they are often used alongside guardrails, pedestrian safety systems, or flexible machine protection. Because our safety solutions are modular, they connect seamlessly with one another. This allows you to build a complete and efficient safety system tailored to the risk zones in your workplace.
Also explore our buyer’s guide on industrial safety barriers and discover safety solutions that work perfectly in combination with safety bollards.
Safety bollards in practice: customer stories
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about safety bollards
1. Which bollard do I need for my application?
Use our Boplan Impact Calculator to quickly and easily find out which safety bollard is best suited to your situation.
2. How do I calculate the impact level my bollards have to withstand?
Determine the required impact level based on factors such as vehicle weight, speed, and type of traffic in your working environment. Our Impact Calculator will guide you step by step.
3. What is the difference between polymer safety bollards and metal or concrete bollards?
Polymer safety bollards absorb impact more effectively and return to their original shape. Metal or concrete bollards are rigid and typically need to be replaced after impact damage. Want to know more? Read our blog: Polymer vs steel.
4. Can I install safety bollards myself, or do I need professional help?
Modular bollards can usually be easily installed by you. For more complex installations or specific environments, professional installation is recommended. Refer to the product’s installation guide for details.
5. How do I maintain safety bollards, and what are the maintenance costs?
Polymer safety bollards require very little maintenance. Periodic visual inspection is usually sufficient.
6. How sustainable are polymer safety bollards, and are they recyclable?
Our polymer safety bollards are 100% recyclable, have a long service life, and support sustainable site management. Learn more on our sustainability page.
7. Can safety bollards be used outdoors, and are they weather-resistant?
Yes, polymer safety bollards are designed for outdoor use and are resistant to UV radiation, moisture, and extreme temperatures. Explore our outdoor safety solutions.
8. What happens to a safety bollard after a collision? Do I always need to replace it?
Thanks to their flexibility, polymer safety bollards naturally return to their original shape after an impact. In case of severe damage, you only need to replace the affected components.
9. How quickly can I order safety bollards, and what is the delivery time?
Delivery time depends on the type and quantity of bollards ordered. Standard models are typically available on short notice. Contact us for a personalised quote and delivery estimate.
10. What warranty do I get when purchasing safety bollards?
Boplan offers standard warranties that vary by product type. For full warranty details, please contact our team directly.