Safety barrier fences are used as safety measures on construction sites and public works. This blog explains what they are in detail, where they’re used, and how they meet industry standards and regulations.
What Are Safety Barrier Fences
These are physical barriers used to block or control access to “restricted areas” on construction sites, roadworks, or temporary public works. You’ll see them around the edges of the site, near excavations, or anywhere there’s a hazard risk.
These fences are often made from plastic panels, metal mesh, or fabric screens, with an open mesh design. One example is this safety barrier fence with a repeating pattern of rectangular holes that run throughout the roll.
This design gives workers and passersby a sightline, so hazards behind the fence remain visible while still creating a physical boundary. Paired with a bright orange colour, this helps it stand out against most backgrounds.
Designs may vary, but all share the same purpose: to stop someone from getting too close to something they shouldn’t.
When Are Safety Barrier Fences Needed
On construction sites, they’re used around:
- Excavations and trenches: Open digs can be deeper than they look, and the edges aren’t always stable.
- Manholes, shafts, and service openings: Easy to miss if you’re not paying attention, and a serious risk if they’re left open without warning.
- Slopes, embankments, and unstable ground: Where the terrain itself could cause slips or falls.
- Live vehicle routes: Sites where diggers, forklifts, or delivery lorries are on the move.
- Material storage zones: Designated spots for storing equipment, tools, or building materials. Often in large stacks or containing hazardous items.
Beyond construction, safety barrier fences are useful anywhere there’s a temporary hazard needing clear marking, such as:
- Roadworks
- Public events
- Maintenance sites
They guide foot traffic, avoid mishaps, and make sure off-limits areas stay that way.
Meeting Health and Safety Standards with Barrier Fencing
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 sets out the general duty for sites to manage all risks that could lead to injury. Using barrier fences around hazardous areas is a simple measure to comply with this.
Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), effective site management of health and safety is crucial. This includes restricting entry to high-risk areas. Barrier fences are there to manage unauthorised access and maintain order and control movement.
Moreover, the Work at Height Regulations 2005 specifically target risks associated with working at height. They require that sites identify all potential fall hazards and implement strong controls to prevent accidents. Safety barrier fencing, particularly made of metal, is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay in line.
If there are hazard risks, safety barrier fencing is one of the simplest but helpful measures to lock those areas down and keep people out of harm’s way.
We supply safety barrier fencing along with other scaffold protection products. If you have any questions or would like a quote, contact us at customercare@s-pgroup.com or call +44 (028) 9442 8611. SP Group is a scaffolding supplier based in the UK and Ireland.