A traffic barrier, also called a road safety barrier or crash barrier, is a system designed to prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway and colliding with hazards, other vehicles, or workers. These barriers are essential for maintaining safety and traffic flow in high-risk areas such as highways, construction zones, and worksites.
Temporary safety barriers play a crucial role in protecting both workers and pedestrians. They can be used to separate traffic lanes, shield roadside projects, and block access to hazardous areas. With many types available, choosing the right barrier for your project can be challenging. Shore Hire is here to help explain what temporary safety barriers are, what they can be used for, and which of our barriers is the best fit for different project needs.
What ARE TEMPORARY SAFETY BARRIERS?
Temporary safety barriers are a type of protective traffic management system, usually made from concrete, plastic, or steel. They are designed to be easily installed, removed, and maintained, and they come in various sizes, colours, weights, and designs to suit different applications. These systems must be installed in accordance with Australian Standard AS/NZS 3845 and relevant state or territory guidelines.
Since January 2022, all states and territories in Australia have mandated the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) criteria for road safety barriers. This ensures that barriers used on public roads meet strict performance and safety standards.
WHAT CAN TEMPORARY SAFETY BARRIERS BE USED FOR?
When you think of a temporary safety barrier, you’re most likely going to think of concrete road barriers that are typically found in the middle or the side of the road, separating traffic lanes, protecting roadside construction sites, etc. These barriers work by absorbing the impact from a vehicle if it hits the barrier, redirecting it away from the construction site and its workers.
Temporary safety barriers can also be used on a construction site to create a barricade between workers or pedestrians and hazards, control access to restricted areas, and concrete barriers can even be used as a counterweight system for props.
WHAT TEMPORARY SAFETY BARRIERS DOES SHORE HIRE OFFER?
Concrete T-Lok Barriers: Our Concrete T-Lok Barriers are a temporary longitudinal barrier system that has an Austroads Safety Barrier Assessment Panel (ASBAP) approval to 100km/hour.
They are durable and heavy-duty and have a range of features, including a unique interconnecting T-Lok locking system and swift lift lifting points to make installation as easy as possible. We also have a Kenco Barrier Lifter, which automatically clamps over the top of the barriers to allow them to be safely and efficiently lifted into place. Our Concrete T-Lok Barriers comply with AS/NZS 3845 and is Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) rated.
These barriers can be used for protecting workers from out-of-control cars, flying debris, and other accidents that can occur on roadside job sites, traffic diversion and separation, crowd control, and as a counterweight system for props.
Triton Barriers: Our Triton Barriers are a portable water-filled plastic barrier system that feature an internal steel frame that can help to redirect plant if they hit the barrier.
These barriers have a convenient modular design that consists of a series of 2m barrier sections. They also feature quick-release taps to easily drain the water from the barriers when dismantling, gawk fencing for added safety, and an incredibly quick set up time – up to 180m of barriers can be installed per hour with just three workers.
These barriers can be used on some roads or for roadside projects, but they will not be suitable for all projects. Make sure you check with your state’s legislation or with Shore Hire for accurate information about your project. Triton Barriers can also be used for traffic diversion and separation, site protection from pedestrians or traffic, and crowd control. One benefit of choosing a water-filled barrier over a concrete barrier is their transport weight, when unfilled, is significantly less than that of a concrete barrier.
SH 2000 Water-Filled Barriers: Our SH 2000 Water-Filled Barriers are a portable water-filled plastic barrier system; please note that these cannot be used as a crash barrier or on main roads.
These lightweight barriers are easily transportable, weighing only 32kg when not filled with water. Once interlocked and filled with water on-site, they are a maintenance-free sturdy barrier system. If required, the top of each barrier features openings for installing mesh fencing or flashing lights.
The SH 200 is a popular crowd control and delineation device for pedestrian and vehicle separation at sporting venues and construction sites. These barriers cannot be used as a crash barrier, on main roads, or for roadside projects.
If you would like to learn more about our range of temporary safety barriers, or if you’re still unsure which one is the best solution for your project, visit your nearest branch, email [email protected], or call our friendly team of experts at 1300 SHORE HIRE.
