When Should Guardrails Be Used?

Date Posted:1 September 2025

Safety starts with barriers. Discover how guardrails protect workers, reduce risks, and safeguard compliance across warehouses, factories, and worksites—creating safer, more productive environments.

What Are Guardrails and Why Are They Important?

Guardrails are fixed safety barriers designed to prevent falls, collisions, or unauthorised access in high-risk work areas. Commonly made from steel, aluminium, or durable polymers, guardrails are installed in environments such as warehouses, factories, loading docks, and construction sites to create physical boundaries between people and hazards.

They are essential for worker protection in areas involving elevated platforms, mezzanines, vehicle traffic, or moving machinery. By preventing accidental falls or unauthorised entry into restricted zones, safety guard rail fencing play a critical role in workplace health and safety (WHS) compliance.

While often confused with handrails, guardrails serve a different function. Handrails assist with stability on stairs or ramps, whereas guardrails are intended as fall-prevention and impact-protection barriers. However, the two systems are frequently used together for comprehensive safety.

Installing guardrails is a proactive way to minimise workplace injuries, manage traffic, and meet WHS responsibilities under Australian law.

When Should Guardrails Be Used?

Elevated Work Platforms and Mezzanines

Guardrails are essential on elevated work areas, including mezzanines, raised walkways, and maintenance platforms. WHS regulations in Australia mandate fall protection for any working height over 2 metres, and guardrails are a proven, passive safety solution.

In warehouses, factories, or workshops, workers may need to access elevated zones for storage, inspections, or maintenance tasks. Guardrails serve as a permanent safety barrier and security bollard, eliminating the risk of accidental falls without relying solely on personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety gear.

They also assist in compliance with AS 1657-2018, the Australian standard for fixed platforms, walkways, stairways, and guardrails, ensuring safe movement across high areas.

Pedestrian Walkways Near Traffic Zones

In facilities where pedestrians and vehicles share access—such as logistics centres, warehouses, or large manufacturing sites—guardrails are vital to keeping foot traffic safe.
They form a physical boundary between walking paths and areas used by forklifts, pallet jacks, or delivery trucks. This helps reduce the risk of collisions and near-misses.

In high-traffic environments, guardrails are often used in conjunction with other safety systems like bollards, gates, or line markings to create clear, navigable routes for both people and vehicles. By directing traffic flow and reducing ambiguity, they help streamline operations while prioritising safety.

Around Machinery or Hazard Zones

Guardrails are also used to restrict access to hazardous machinery or operational zones. These barriers help prevent unauthorised or accidental contact with moving parts, hot surfaces, or dangerous processes.

In manufacturing or processing plants, guardrails are often combined with warning signage, interlocked access gates, and lockout/tagout procedures for comprehensive hazard control.
Guardrails can also help establish safe maintenance areas by clearly delineating operational machinery from service zones. This promotes safer workflows and reduces the likelihood of injury during daily operations or servicing tasks.

Loading Docks and Ramps

Loading docks, service ramps, and raised platforms pose significant fall risks for both workers and equipment. Installing guardrails at these points creates a safe boundary that prevents falls and keeps handling equipment from rolling off the edge.

These areas often experience high traffic and fast-paced operations, particularly in distribution centres or retail warehouses. Guardrails can absorb minor impacts from pallet jacks or trolleys while also guiding personnel safely during loading and unloading.

In addition, they improve visibility of edges and drop-offs—especially important during night shifts or in low-light environments—helping prevent injuries and product damage.

Construction Sites and Temporary Work Areas

On construction sites, guardrails are often part of temporary or modular safety systems used to manage dynamic work conditions. Mobile guardrail systems can be installed quickly around edges, excavations, scaffolding, or elevated walkways to provide fall protection and zone demarcation.

They are especially useful in temporary access areas or when work conditions are constantly changing. Lightweight, modular systems allow for fast relocation and easy reconfiguration, keeping the site compliant with safety protocols.

At Verdex, we believe guardrails play a key role in managing short-term hazards and maintaining a safe environment for contractors, visitors, and site workers alike.

Australian WHS Standards and Guardrail Requirements

Guardrail installation and usage in Australian workplaces is governed primarily by AS 1657-2018, which outlines the minimum safety requirements for walkways, stairways, and guardrails. This standard provides guidance on materials, design, height, spacing, and load ratings to ensure the system provides reliable fall prevention.

Guardrails are required when workers are exposed to a risk of falling from a height greater than 2 metres. They are also recommended around hazardous areas or traffic zones, even when fall hazards are not present, to provide impact protection or access control.

Key installation requirements include:

A minimum guardrail height of 1 metre above the walking surface
Midrails or infill to prevent objects or limbs from passing through
Load-bearing capacity to withstand horizontal and vertical forces as specified in the standard

Employers are responsible for ensuring guardrails are installed and maintained in line with these standards to meet WHS obligations and reduce workplace injury risks. Alongside guardrails, accessible first aid kits are another essential requirement for workplaces to handle incidents effectively

Choosing the Right Guardrail System for Your Site

Selecting the best guardrail system depends on your site’s unique environment and operational needs.

Fixed guardrails are ideal for permanent fall protection, while modular or portable systems offer flexibility for temporary worksites.

Material options include steel for heavy-duty applications, aluminium for corrosion resistance and lightweight use, and plastic for low-impact indoor zones.

It’s important to consider compatibility with other safety products, such as safety gates, bollards, and fencing systems, to ensure seamless integration.

Verdex offers a comprehensive range of guardrail solutions as well as a variety of workplace safety equipment and supplies tailored for both indoor and outdoor use, backed by expert advice and installation support to help you stay WHS-compliant and operationally efficient.

Reach out to the team for more information by emailing sales@verdex.com.au or filling out or online contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are guardrails required by law in all workplaces?

Not all workplaces legally require guardrails, but they are mandatory in areas where there is a risk of falling from heights above 2 metres, as per Safe Work Australia guidelines and AS 1657-2018 standards.

What’s the difference between guardrails and handrails?

Guardrails are used to prevent falls and restrict access, typically found on elevated or hazardous zones. Handrails, on the other hand, are used for stability and support on stairs, ramps, or slopes.

Can guardrails be used outdoors?

Yes. Guardrails made from galvanised steel or aluminium are ideal for outdoor applications, including construction sites, loading bays, and vehicle zones, due to their weather resistance and durability.

Do guardrails require regular inspection?

Absolutely. Guardrails should be inspected regularly for signs of wear, corrosion, or damage. Periodic checks ensure they remain structurally sound and continue to meet WHS safety standards.

When Should Guardrails Be Used?

What Are Guardrails and Why Are They Important?