Mezzanine Safeti-Gates, Inc., an innovator in the design and manufacturing of pallet drop safety gates that provide fall protection in material handling and manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, and warehouses, has announced that its Open Top safety gate can be manufactured in a rack supported design, ideal for providing fall protection in pallet flow cluster picking applications. With the new Open Top safety gate configuration, four of the company’s safety gates for fall protection can be manufactured in free-standing or rack supported designs.
Multiple deep pallets are pushed into pallet flow systems in multi-level rack supported pick modules in busy material handling facilities. In cluster picking operations, there are typically one or two flow lanes in a bay with an aisle between the lanes; pickers on the platform then enter the lanes to pick from various pallets, putting items on a takeaway conveyor to be packaged and shipped. Freestanding safety structures may not work for cluster picking applications in busy distribution centers or material handling facilities because there is normally little space within the rack system.
The Rack Supported Open Top model is a dual-gate system that attaches directly to the rack uprights in rack systems or pick modules. Attaching to rack uprights maximizes space in the area and creates a secure connection without having to anchor the gate into the decking. The dual-gate system prevents pallets from holding the gates open when the lane is full and creates a completely enclosed workstation while providing fall protection for the workers in picking positions and around the empty pallet or tote return bays.
“More material handling facilities utilize cluster picking applications within their pallet flow applications to maximize space and efficiencies,” said Aaron Conway, president of Mezzanine Safeti-Gates, Inc. “In cluster applications, employees pick from loads on both sides of the aisle, and our new Rack Supported Open Top configuration not only allows picking on both sides, but it also provides fall protection within the multi-level pick modules with a dual-gate system.”
The Rack Supported Open Top safety gate uses dual, counterbalanced gates connected on the side to maintain a safe pallet drop area at all times while operating with no overhead mechanics. When the ledge-side gate is open, allowing the material to be delivered to the pallet drop area, the rear-side gate is closed, protecting the worker from falling off the ledge. When the rear-side gate is raised to gain access to the pallets, the ledge-side gate closes and compacts into the rack bay, maintaining a safe environment during all stages of the operation and keeping the area clear for traffic to pass along the aisle while providing room for employees picking from pallets on either side of the lane.
Open Top safety gates are ideal in areas that feature extra tall pallet loads in cluster picking applications. The design, which can be configured for 90-degree access to pallets on both sides, can be customized to fit specific rack configurations and existing or new structures. The dual-gate design ensures OSHA, IBC, and ANSI fall protection compliance. The safety gates fit any manufacturer’s rack configuration and are available in powder-coated mild steel.
Roly®, Pivot, Tri-Side, and now Open Top safety gates are offered in rack supported or free-standing configurations.
