Pallet Gates Archives

Ajax understands safety in the workplace is of the upmost importance and the construction of pallet gates provide the necessary all-round edge protection to prevent injury. Recently, our Technical Sales Manager Mike Godbert shared his technical expertise on standards and guidance on pallet gates in the workplace:

Our Ajax pallet gates are designed and fabricated here in Nottingham, we have been fabricating safe access pallet gates for around 30 years and have built a considerable archive of unique bespoke solutions for many blue chip retailers and manufacturers.  We also produce a range of standard sizes for a single and double pallet gate with a load height of 1800mm high.  These sizes are available in our very popular ‘Roll-Over’ design as well as the more traditional ‘Swing-Arm’ version.

Our Roll-Over pallet gate is the more popular option as it takes up less space when closed and is ideal if you are unloading from the top or vacuuming powders for example as you can leave the load in position whilst unloading whereas with the swing arm you have to remove the pallet from the load area.

Rollover Pallet Gate (pictured above)

 Swing Arm Pallet Gate  (pictured above)

Both design options offer compliant edge protection to all operators and workers as no matter if the gate is open or closed the operator is always protected from falls.

Our pallet gates are designed in line with the following standards :-

• BS EN 1991-11:2002 category (XII)
• BS EN 1993-1-1:2005
• BS EN 1990:2002
• BS EN ISO 14122-3 CLAUSE 8.2.1.2

Chains, rope, tape, hinged gates, stacked pallets etc. should never be used as an edge protection, and yes some companies do use these methods to ‘protect’ there workers.

If you have an existing space available where you require a pallet gate, all we need is the existing opening width and the position of any restrictions such as ceiling height or hanging service lines, or if you have a specific pallet/load size then confirmation of its dimensions and we can do the rest and advise on the gate that best suits your needs.  We supply our units in polyester powder coated mild steel as standard but can offer any colour if you have a specific need.  We also offer options in stainless steel grade 304 and 316 for the food and pharmaceutical industry as well as mesh or plate infills to guard against small items falling and steal floor plates.

Some minor assembly is required, the gate is delivered to site in 3-4 parts and all assembly fixings are supplied.  Assemble the unit and place in the required position at the floor edge as shown on our issued drawing.  The unit sides must be parallel and square before fixing the feet to the floor.   Floor fixings are not supplied due to the vast array of floor materials.

As we design and fabricate here in Nottingham, we can offer a bespoke design service if needed. To find out more email: ajax@canalengineering.co.uk for more information.

A pallet gate is a special type of safety gate that protects workers from falls from height when loading and unloading. They are commonly used for mezzanine floors in warehouses and distribution centres.

How do pallet gates work?

A pallet gate will sit at the edge of the higher level, surrounded by guardrails and safety barriers that prevent goods or workers from falling off the edge.

The most important feature of a pallet gate is that it provides continual edge protection while it is in use. This enclosed gate system protects the open edge all points during the loading or unloading process.

When a pallet is loaded onto the mezzanine, the gate is swung open to allow access to the higher floor. As the gate lifts up, it simultaneously closes off the back section of the gate. This prevents workers from being able to access the open edge.

Once the goods are safely loaded onto the mezzanine, the gate is closed, blocking off the dangerous edge and opening up the mezzanine side to allow workers to access the pallet.

Take a look at this video from our parent company, Canal Engineering, to get a better idea of how a pallet gate works.

How is a pallet gate better than an edge gate?

Edge gates are a simple solution to the issue of requiring edge protection as well as accessibility. Unfortunately, simple goes not always mean safe.

While there are many different styles of openable edge safety protection such as swing gates, removable bars or chains, they usually need to be manually closed after use. This means that they can easily be left open, and an open gate does not provide protection.

What type of pallet gate do I need?

There are various different types of pallet gate, with a number of standard designs available. While some uses may be suitable for standard gates, you may require a bespoke solution to ensure safety, efficiency and convenience in your application.

You will also require a different type of pallet gate depending on how and where you will be loading.

You may be loading using a:

• forklift
• hoist
• crane

to load:

• onto a mezzanine
• onto a platform
• through a doorway
• through an opening

It is also necessary to consider the available space in the loading area, such as height and depth, as well as the maximum height or width of the pallets will also be a factor when choosing the right pallet gate.

Bespoke pallet gate solutions from Ajax Safe Access

If you’re interested in finding out more about our range of pallet gates, or any of our other equipment for working safely at height, get in touch with Ajax Safe Access today.

We will visit your premises, learn about your operation, and advise on the safest pallet gate option for your needs.