Machine Guarding

Protect your assets with barrier protection, machine guards and guard rail systems.

Safety guarding goes beyond protecting your equipment. It’s about ensuring the wellbeing of your workforce and meeting UK health and safety standards. Our machine guards fortify operational resilience and help you create a secure workplace, whether that’s a factory, warehouse, data centre or laboratory.

What is Machine Guarding?

Machine guards are a type of barrier protection used to create a protective shield between machinery and operator. Our impact protection profiles are engineered from robust materials such as steel and used to encase heavy-duty machines, manufacturing equipment, electrical works and hazardous chemicals. These guards ensure the longevity of your assets and the safety of those operating in proximity.

Why Do Machine Guards Matter?

These protective barriers serve as a safety measure against potential accidents and injuries, preventing direct contact with moving parts, sharp objects or other hazardous elements of industrial equipment.

Most production environments will have machine guards (UK) with regulations that demand to be met. With the help of our specialists, you can guarantee employee protection, ultimately optimising production targets and minimising downtime.

Types of Machine Guards

We offer many machine guarding options for the demands of different workplaces.

– Mesh Partitioning

Consisting of interwoven expanded, aluminium wire mesh and a steel framework, mesh partitions create a barrier that offers machinery visibility and operator safety. They’re suitable for manufacturing facilities, warehouses and production lines with high foot traffic where visual access to machinery is required.

– Steel Partitioning

Steel partitions are constructed with robust panels to offer a fully enclosed, durable barrier around machinery. This type of machine guard is known for its strength to protect against heavy machinery and potential impact risks, like those found in manufacturing plants, foundries and other industrial settings with large equipment.

– Steel Barrier Guards

Comprising of steel panels and a secure framework, safety barrier guards are often yellow so that forklifts or other vehicles can visually identify equipment, machinery or materials and avoid collision. Bolted barriers and metal fencing can be used around potential pinch points or hazardous areas.

– Mesh Cages

These machine guards use galvanised steel panels to create a full enclosure around machinery or equipment. The wire mesh cages can be customised in size to provide a secure barrier while allowing ventilation and visibility. They’re commonly employed in facilities where controlled access to machinery is required, such as around robotic systems.

– Safety Shields

Transparent, protective barriers can be used to shield users from potential hazards whilst in operation. With options including movable or fixed, they’re a versatile protection for industrial environments where manufacturing processes with rotating parts or with flying debris.

– Protective Covers

These specialised guards are designed to shield machinery from environmental factors, contaminants or accidental contact. They’re used to improve the longevity and reliability of assets such as precision machinery (machine draw operators), electronic equipment or industrial automation.

– Guardrails

A guard rail creates a physical barrier along walkways, platforms or machinery use areas. Constructed from robust steel, this protective barrier prevents collisions in high risk areas in potentially hazardous locations.

– Machine Guarding Doors

Along with your steel partitioning system, we install machine guard doors for controlled access to machinery. These are designed for configuration with various machine guard systems and are often used when selective access to machinery is required, such as maintenance or loading operations.

Our comprehensive range of machine guarding caters to diverse workplace needs. For a tailored solution, be sure to talk to our experts.

How Much Do Machine Guards Cost?

The cost of machine guarding will vary depending on different features. You should consider:

The type of machinery guarding you use
The number of machines you use
Any bespoke requirements (e.g. sizing or machine guard design)

It’s our belief that workplace safety should be accessible to all. We offer a variety of systems to suit different budgets and performance requirements and encourage you to give our team a call to discuss the best solution for your space.

Benefits of Machine Guarding

Primarily designed for workplace safety, investing in proper safety guarding offers many advantages.

Employee Safety – Prioritising the safety of your workforce isn’t just a strategic business decision – it’s a moral obligation. Safeguarding measures like machine guards create a protective barrier that reduces the risk of accidents and injuries. By taking care of your people, you inherently take care of your business.
Health and Safety Compliance – Industrial workplaces must adhere to health and safety regulations. We recommend conducting a risk assessment or regularly checking building regulations to identify the key areas that require your attention.
Productivity – A safe work environment directly impacts productivity. When employees feel secure in their workplace, whether moving around or operating machinery, they can streamline work processes, ultimately boosting productivity and business profitability.
Cost-Efficiency – Preventing accidents and injuries with the help of machine guards can help your business avoid unnecessary expenses associated with insurance claims and employee sick days, helping to optimise operational costs.
Equipment Longevity – Machine guards contribute to the longevity of your industrial equipment by protecting them from potential damage. This protective measure reduces repair or replacement frequency, leading to cost savings and ensuring the continuous operation of machinery.

Customisable Machinery Guards

We recognise that each industrial environment has distinct safety requirements. That’s why we offer bespoke machine guards with customisable sizes, materials and configurations. Modular wall systems also enable easy adjustments so you can accommodate changes in machinery or workspace requirements. If you have a unique request, please get in touch with our specialists.

UK Machine Guarding Compliance

In the United Kingdom, adherence to regulations is crucial to safeguarding both people and property. Compliance typically involves meeting the standards outlined by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations such as the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER). Please ensure you’re up to date with the latest safety standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are machine guards used for?

Machine guards are used as protective barriers around industrial machinery. Their primary purpose is to prevent accidents, injuries and in some cases, unauthorised access.
What are the most common types of machine guarding?
The most common types of machine guarding include:
- Mesh partitions
- Steel partitions
- Steel barrier guards
- Mesh cages
- Guardrails
Understanding each type is essential to determine the most effective solution to provide protection based on the nature of your machinery and workplace requirements.
Where is machine guarding required?

Machine guarding is used in industrial workplaces where machinery is a risk to operators and nearby personnel. Common applications include manufacturing facilities, warehouses, production lines and similar workspaces with heavy machinery.
Does machine guarding have to be yellow?

While yellow is a common colour for machine guards, it’s not required by law. The colour choice is often based on industry standards, providing visibility to potential safety hazards.
Can I get a quote for my machine guards?

You can request a quote for your steel partitions by submitting a form. Rest assured that our experts are up to date with the latest industry standards to advise on the best solution for your space.

Machine Guard Safety Tips

Maintaining a safe workplace goes beyond implementing machine guarding systems. Here are a few additional tips to consider:

Staff Training – Educate your employees on the importance of machine guards, the different types and the correct usage.
Regular Inspection – Implement routine inspections to check the integrity of your machine guards and ensure any signs of damage are addressed immediately.
Emergency Procedures – Establish clear emergency procedures so that your staff know how to shut down machinery safely and emergency exits are easily accessible.
Maintenance Protocols – Conduct regular maintenance of your machinery and machine guards.
Documentation – Keep documents of inspections, maintenance and staff training that may serve as a record of compliance and be invaluable for audits or investigations.

Machine Guarding Solutions

At Steel Partitioning UK, we provide high quality machine guard safety solutions to remove the risk of accidents and give you peace of mind at work. With a variety of systems available, talk to one of our experts today to discuss your warehouse safety.