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Rack & Column Protectors

Rack & Column Protectors - Minimize Damage & Maximize Safety.   

Pallet rack upright protectors shield rack frames from the low-level impacts that add up over time in busy warehouse aisles. Forklifts and pallet jacks frequently make contact with upright posts, and without protection, repeated collisions can weaken structural integrity, leading to rack failure, inventory loss, or safety incidents. Installing upright protection at aisle ends, rack intersections, and other high-traffic points helps preserve racking systems, supports OSHA and safety compliance, and reduces long-term repair costs.

Two related but distinct products are worth understanding here: standard Rack End Protectors (Product A) mount at the end of a rack row and provide a wider protective footprint, while Space Saving End of Aisle Rack Protectors (Product B) offer similar end-of-aisle protection in a narrower profile designed for tighter aisle clearances. Choose based on the aisle width and clearance available at your rack ends.

Building columns face the same impact risk as rack uprights, but the stakes are higher. A rack upright can be replaced. A damaged structural building column is a facility integrity issue, and repairs often mean bringing in a structural engineer, pulling permits, and shutting down the surrounding area during the fix. Column protectors address this by wrapping the base of the column, typically the 3 to 4 foot zone where forklifts and pallet jacks make contact, in a rigid steel or heavy-duty sleeve that absorbs and deflects impact before it reaches the column itself.

Most building column protectors use a two-piece or hinged design that clamps around the existing column without welding or structural modification, so they can be added during initial construction or retrofitted onto an occupied facility. Shape matters here: round Hexagonal Column Guards fit round support columns cleanly, while square or rectangular guards like the Vestil Heavy Duty Column Protector fit standard I-beam or box columns. Corner-specific options, like the Triple Elbow Machine Guard and MECO Corner Pipe Guards, are built for 90-degree building corners and column edges rather than freestanding posts. High-visibility safety yellow finishes are standard across this category, reinforcing the point that these are meant to be seen, not just to absorb a hit that already happened.

Product Lines Available:

Building and Structural Column Protection
♦ Vestil Heavy Duty Column Protectors, 23-3/4" to 47-3/4" high, two-piece design for I-beam and box columns
♦ Vestil Hexagonal Column Guards, 48" to 60" high, fits round support columns
♦ Vestil Triple Elbow Machine Guard, 28"x28" to 34"x34", 24-1/2" to 42-9/16" high, 90-degree corner protection
♦ MECO Corner Pipe Guards, 90° Bend Steel Corner Protectors
♦ Handle-It Corner Column Protectors, 12" to 42" high

Pallet Rack Upright and Post Protection
♦ Husky Pallet Rack Upright Protectors, 12" to 18" high
♦ Handle-It P12-3R Universal Post Protectors, 12" high
♦ Handle-It Post Protectors, 12" to 24" high
♦ Handle-It Post Protectors, 12" to 18" high
♦ Handle-It V-Nose Pallet Upright Guards, 4" high
♦ Vestil Structural Rack Guards with Rubber Bumper, 12-1/4" to 36-1/4" high
♦ Vestil Low Profile Rack Guard, 11-7/8" to 35-7/8"

Rack End and Aisle Protection
♦ Handle-It Rack End Protectors, 42" to 48" long (Product A)
♦ Handle-It Space Saving End of Aisle Rack Protectors, 42" to 48" long (Product B)

Selecting the Right Type:

♦ Application: Use Building Column Protectors on structural building supports and corners, and Rack Upright or Post Protectors specifically on pallet rack frames.
♦ Column shape: Choose Hexagonal Guards for round columns, or Heavy Duty and Triple Elbow protectors for square, rectangular, or corner column configurations.
♦ Aisle clearance: choose standard Rack End Protectors when space allows, or Space-Saving End-of-Aisle Protectors when tighter aisle clearance is needed.
♦ Environment, choose Vestil Structural Rack Guards with a rubber bumper for cushioned impact absorption, especially useful in cold storage or freezer environments prone to condensation.

Where Commonly Used:

♦ Building Columns and Corners, dedicated column guards prevent forklift impact from becoming a structural repair.
♦ High-Traffic Aisle Ends, protectors reinforce rack intersections where equipment frequently turns.
♦ Cold Storage and Freezer Environments, added protection addresses slick surfaces and condensation risk.
♦ New Facility Installations and Retrofits, upright and column protection is added during initial setup or as an upgrade to existing structures.
♦ Manufacturing Plants and Distribution Centers: protected columns and rack uprights reduce structural repair costs in high-traffic zones.

CustomMHS carries the full line of pallet rack upright and column protection from Husky, Handle-It, Vestil, and MECO, backed by each manufacturer's warranty.

 

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MECO Corner Pipe Guards
90° Bend Steel Corner Protectors
machine protection



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Vestil Heavy Duty
Column Protectors
23-3/4" to 47-3/4" high
Vestil Heavy Duty Column Protectors		 Imagem
Vestil Triple Elbow
Column Protector
28" x 28" to 34" x 34"
24-1/2" to 42-9/16" high
machine protection 
Vestil Hexagonal Column Guards
Vestil Hexagonal
Column Guards
48" to 60" high
Vestil Hexagonal Column Guards		 Handle-It Corner Column Protectors
Handle-It Corner
Column Protectors
12" to 42" high
Handle-It Corner Column Protectors		 Husky Pallet Rack Upright Protectors
Husky Pallet Rack
Upright Protectors
12" to 18" high
Husky Pallet Rack Upright Protectors
Handle-It P12-3R Universal Post Protectors
Handle-It P12-3R
Universal Post Protectors
12" high
Handle-It P12-3R Universal Post Protectors
 Handle-It Post Protectors
Handle-It Post Protectors
12" to 24" High
Handle-It Post Protectors		 Handle-It Post Protectors
Handle-It
Post Protectors
12" to 18" high
Handle-It Post Protectors
Handle-It Corner Column Protectors
Handle-It Corner
Column Protectors
12" to 42" high
Handle-It Corner Column Protectors 		  Handle It V-Nose Pallet Upright Guards
Handle It V-Nose
Pallet Upright Guards
4" High
Handle It V-Nose Pallet Upright Guards 		  rack protection
Vestil Structural Rack
Guards with Rubber Bumper
12-1/4" to 36-1/4" high
Vestil Structural Rack Guards with Rubber Bumper
 Handle-It Rack End Protectors
Handle-It Rack
End Protectors
42" to 48" long
Product "A"
See Comparison Below
Handle-It Rack End Protectors		 Handle-It Space Saving End of Aisle Rack Protectors
Handle-It Space Saving 
End of Aisle Rack Protectors
42" to 48" long
Product "B"
See Comparison Below
Handle-It Space Saving End of Aisle Rack Protectors 		 Vestil Low Profile Rack Guard
Vestil Low Profile
Rack Guard
11-78" to 35-7/8"
Vestil Low Profile Rack Guard 

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is pallet rack upright protection used for?
Pallet rack upright protection is designed to shield rack columns from forklift impacts and everyday warehouse traffic. These protectors help prevent structural damage that can weaken an entire rack system. By reducing collisions, facilities improve safety and extend the life of their storage infrastructure.
Why is protecting rack uprights so important?
Rack uprights are one of the most vulnerable parts of any pallet racking system. Even minor forklift strikes can compromise rack stability and create serious safety risks. Upright protection helps avoid costly repairs, product loss, and potential collapse hazards.
What types of rack upright protectors are available?
Rack upright protection products come in several styles, including steel column guards, bolt-on protectors, and wraparound barriers. Different designs are used depending on rack type, traffic level, and impact exposure. Choosing the right style ensures the best balance of safety and durability.
Where should upright protection be installed first?
Upright protection should be installed at rack end zones, aisle corners, and high-traffic intersections where impacts are most likely. These locations experience the most turning, staging, and forklift maneuvering. Protecting these critical uprights first provides the greatest immediate safety benefit.
How does upright protection reduce warehouse maintenance costs?
Protectors absorb impact before damage reaches the rack itself, preventing expensive structural repairs. They also reduce downtime caused by rack inspections, replacements, or reconfigurations after collisions. Over time, this leads to lower operational costs and fewer safety interruptions.
How do I choose the right rack upright protection for my facility?
The best choice depends on forklift traffic volume, rack layout, and the level of impact risk in specific areas. Heavy-duty steel guards are ideal for high-impact zones, while lighter protectors may work in lower-traffic sections. Reviewing traffic patterns and hazard points is the best way to select the right solution.
Is the manufacturer’s warranty included with my purchase?
Yes. All products sold on CustomMHS.com include the original manufacturer’s warranty unless otherwise noted. Custom MHS is an authorized dealer for the brands we carry, which means your purchase is covered by the manufacturer's full factory warranty.
Do you ship nationwide?
Yes. We ship throughout the United States and Canada using trusted freight partners experienced in handling industrial equipment. Our team coordinates shipping details to ensure safe and efficient delivery.

Built for Manufacturers, Warehouses &
Industrial Facilities

CustomMHS is an authorized distributor of industrial storage and material handling equipment for manufacturers, warehouses, distribution centers,
and industrial facilities across North America. From shelving systems and pallet racking to storage containers, workbenches, carts, security fencing, and cabinets,
we carry industrial-grade brands and help you choose the right specs, load ratings, and configuration for your facility, workflow, and space before you order.