Barricades: Everything You Need To Know

Worldwide, millions of accidents happen every hour. Do you know why? Due to worksite accidents, slips, falls, vehicle collisions, and this long list goes on. However, there is a way that facilities can adapt and implement to ensure everyone’s safety. And that’s by using barricades on roads, constructions, and worksites.

But barricades come in different types, catering to different purposes. So if you own a commercial business or manage construction, roadwork, and traffic control work, knowing everything about barricades is important. That way, you can effectively use them, guide the public, and prevent accidents.  So let’s discuss everything in this guide!

What is a Barricade?

Barricade Meaning:

A barricade (often known as a barrier) is a physical or structural object that is used to create an obstruction to block or control the surrounding movements.

Barricade Definition:

A barricade is a physical, robust, long-lasting, and bright-colored object, often placed on roads, worksites, and commercial buildings. Its main purpose is to block, restrict, redirect, or control access of vehicles and pedestrians to an area. When placed on a zone, they visually and physically deter vehicle and foot traffic access. Plus, guide them to ensure their safety.

How and What Barricades are Made Of?

Generally, barricades are built and made with plastic, metal, and concrete materials. Let’s quickly discuss them and their manufacturing process:

• Plastic Barricades

What They’re Made Of: Plastic barricades are usually made with virgin or recycled High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)/ Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE). They are very flexible, long-lasting, easy to transport, and set up. Plus, they are weather, UV, and impact resistant too. That makes them ideal for use in both indoor and outdoor sites. 

How They’re Made: JACKWIN’s plastic barricades are typically made using HDPE material through three different molding processes, for different types of barricades. Here’s how we manufacture plastic barricades through these processes:

• Steel Barricades

What They’re Made Of: At JACKWIN, we make steel barricades using galvanized steel. They are heavy, but are durable, sturdy, rust-free, and UV, weather, and impact resistant. Apart from that, they are expensive too, but are more long-lasting compared to other barricades’ materials. 

How They Are Made: Well, we use steel pipes or bars. Then, we either cut or bend them into the required shapes (frames, legs, crossbars). After that, we take individual parts and weld them together to form a strong unit. After welding, we dip the units into hot galvanized or powder-coated liquid. So that our barricades become rust-free and last longer. Lastly, we do some finishing checks such as installing hooks, interlocking systems, or foot stands to enhance stability and usability.

• Concrete Barricades

What They’re Made Of: Concrete barricades (often known as Jersey Barricades) are usually made with a mixture of several other materials for added strength and durability. Such as cement, sand, gravel/aggregates, water, or steel rebars. 

How They Are Made: Generally, a steel or fiberglass mold is used based on the barricade shape. Then, steel reinforcement rods or mesh are placed inside the mold for structural support. After that, wet concrete is poured into the mold. Next, workers vibrate the mold so that all air bubbles are removed and the filling is spread evenly. After that, concrete is left within the mold for several days, until it becomes hard and sturdy. Once it becomes, the mold is removed, and facilities do the final touches. Such as cleaning or painting (if needed) the barricade.

Who Constitutes Barricades?

If you’ve ever driven on roads (suppose U.S. roads), you’ve definitely come across different types of barricades, in different colors, shapes, and sizes. These barricades aren’t placed randomly by the facilities. 

Instead, their application and design are strictly defined by the government and safety authorities. That includes OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) authorities. These organizations set the standards for facilities that are accountable for managing, controlling, or working at public sites, like roads.

These standards tell them what, how, and what type of barricade should be used, as per the application or environmental needs. Their main purpose is to ensure maximum safety for everyone and create an organized environment at work and in public places.

Types of OSHA Barricades

OSHA barricade types are those barricades that are approved by OSHA and meet their set standards. Their types generally fall into two main categories:

1. Rail Barricades

Rail barricades are usually brightly-colored and made up of metal or plastic material. Specifically, you can use them around maintenance areas, parking lots, walkways, electrical hazards, industrial zones, and even in events (during concerts or festivals). They are generally brightly-colored and have good height and width. Their main purpose is to warn, block and restrict foot and vehicle entry into the marked zone.

1. Traffic Safety Devices

These are specially designed for traffic control purposes. They come in different sizes, shapes, colors, and materials, catering to different vehicles’ speeds, sizes, and road types. Regardless of their division in specifications, they serve the same purpose as other barricades. Here’s a list of all traffic safety devices:

• Traffic Cones: They are lightweight, flexible, and have reflective strips (for high visibility). Often used for temporary lane marking, detours, or quick warnings.
• Drums: Big, round plastic barrels with reflective tape, often used for long-term projects in high-speed areas (to divert or guide drivers) or at construction sites (to create a barrier and protect your workers).
• A-Frame Barricades: Two boards in a foldable A-frame, great for giving quick warnings on places, like sidewalks, event areas, emergency construction work, or blocked roads.
• Vertical Panels: They are tall, slim boards with reflective strips. Plus, JACKWIN’s vertical panels are rust-proof and can resist fading and temperature. Often used where space is limited (such as construction sites or curves).
• Water-Filled Barriers (Jersey Barriers): They are heavy, flexible, crash-rated, impact-resistant, highly visible, and require water or sand filling to weigh them down. Often used on highways or for serious protection.

OSHA Barricades Key Requirements

As we mentioned earlier, OSHA-approved barricades are those safety devices that meet their mandated safety standards. Now let’s discuss what those standards or regulations actually are:

1. OSHA Barricade Height Requirements

• For low-speed zones, facilities must use barricades that are at least 42 inches (1.1 m) tall to enhance visibility from a far distance and prevent accidental crossing.
• For high-visibility applications (e.g., roadways, construction zones), facilities should use taller barricades (up to 50–54 inches).

2. OSHA Barricade Marking Requirements

• Barricades must be in high-contrast colors with bright markings over them. Such as alternating stripes of orange and white, red and white, or yellow and black.
• During nighttime or low-light visibility areas, use barricades that are built with reflective sheeting.
• Along with barricades (especially small-sized ones), facilities should place signage boards as well (e.g., “DANGER – DO NOT ENTER,” “KEEP OUT”).

3. OSHA Barricade Visibility & Color Requirements

Standard colors for barricades must be:

• Orange (most common for construction zones).
• Red (for immediate hazards).
• Yellow (general caution).
• Made with reflective sheeting, must be highly visible and free from obstructions.

4. OSHA Barricade Accessibility Requirements

• Facilities should place barricades at open and front places. So they do not block emergency exits, fire escapes, or ADA-compliant pathways.
• If used near pedestrian routes, they must allow safe passage or provide alternative access.

5. OSHA Barricade Stability & Durability Requirements

• Facilities should use barricades that are sturdy and can easily resist wind, impact, or accidental displacement.
• As barricades are mostly installed outdoors, their material must be weather-resistant.
• Heavy-duty barricades (Type I, II, or III barricades for traffic control) must meet MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) standards and regulations.

6. OSHA Barricade Inspection & Maintenance Requirements

• Each business and company is required to do regular inspections. Check for any damaged or faded barricades and ensure that barricades remain in good condition.
• If any damaged or faded barricades are found, repair or replace them at the first place.
• Reflective tape/signage boards near barricades must be kept clean and visible.

Why It’s Important to Comply With OSHA Barricades Requirements?

Well, following OSHA barricade requirements isn’t just an option, it’s a mandatory step. Barricades are placed to warn, guide, or restrict access to hazardous areas. Right? However, if the barricades are not used or placed correctly, they put workers, drivers, and pedestrians at risk. 

According to our 18+ years of experience in the traffic and road safety products manufacturing industry, here are a few reasons why compliance matters:

• When you properly place barricades at sites. This tells traffic to slow down. And that way, vehicle collisions, crashes, and accident chances are reduced.
• If you neglect OSHA guidelines, it can result in hefty fines, lawsuits, or shutdowns. Especially after an incident or the occurrence of serious incidents due to your negligence.
• OSHA-approved barricades use standard colors, shapes, and signs. So, using them will help people immediately understand the risk and tell them to be cautious.
• Especially on roads or public sites, properly placed barricades show that the project is being handled by professionals.

What Can Barricades Be Used For?

• Control Traffic Flow: You can install barricades on roads to guide, redirect, or slow down vehicles. That way, you can restrict them from entering the construction zones, accidents, lane closure,s and tell them to drive through their marked lane.
• Block Hazardous Areas: In places like open trenches, broken walkways, and zones with electrical risks, you can place barricades in a certain pattern. This blocks the zone and tells pedestrians or drivers not to enter.
• Crowd Management: At heavy crowd events, concerts, protests, and even in commercial buildings like shopping malls, banks, barricades can help you a lot. You can use them to guide people through a safe zone and prevent overcrowding.
• Create Safe Work Zones: In construction or roadwork, ensuring workers’ and drivers’ safety is crucial. Here, you can use barricades to block the worksite and separate workers from active traffic.
• Emergency Situations: In emergency situations like road accidents or fire hazards, facilities can use barricades and install them near emergency sites. That way, you can restrict unauthorized entries into the zone.

Are Barricades Environment-Friendly?

Absolutely, they can be, but depending on the material and how they’re used. See, nowadays, most barricades, such as JACKWIN’s plastic barricades, are manufactured using raw, recycled, or recyclable materials. That way, plastic waste is significantly reduced. 

Apart from that, our water-filled barricades require water for increased weight. So after the project ends, facilities can drain that water from the barricades. Then, they can use that water for other environmental needs.

Barricade Vs Barrier

Although most people used both names interchangeably. But they have different meanings according to what they do and where they are used. Let’s quickly understand the distinction between the two:

How Long Do Barricades Last?

Well, the exact answer depends on their maintenance, material, usage, and most importantly, exposure to impact, rain, and harsh weather. But we can provide you with the estimated longevity range. 

On average, plastic barricades can last 2 to 10 years (if they’re UV and impact-resistant). Metal or steel barricades can last 10+ years (if the material is rust or corrosion-free). On the other hand, concrete barricades are most durable. So they generally last up to 20+ years. However, upon regular inspection and cleaning, you can extend their life span.

Most Common Applications of Barricades

Construction and Hazard Control: You can place them on the construction sites or hazard control sites. Whether it’s on a road, commercial building, sidewalk, or parking lot. By placing them around the worksite or danger zone, you can guide, alert, and restrict the public from entering. Plus, these barricades act as a barrier between the road and the worksite, and hence keep your crew safe. 

Crowd Management: Well, to manage heavy crowds at concerts, public gatherings, and even in commercial buildings, like banks, parks, and shopping malls, you can use barricades to mark a restricted site. That way, barricades tell the crowd about restricted zones and guide them to stay within the safe zone. 

Traffic Control: You know, on roads, vehicles, pedestrians, repair work, and a lot of other things are going on side by side. In such sites, you can use barricades to provide guidance to traffic about lane closures, detours, and tell them to slow down vehicles and pass through the safe lane.

Key Features to Consider When Choosing Barricades

Barricades are meant to visually guide, divert, or block access to the zone. However, the correct selection of barricades’ material, size, visibility, colors, and a few other factors matters too. That’s why, as a leading traffic and safety products supplier, we have listed down a few key features that you must consider before choosing barricades for your next project:

• Material Type: We suggest you go for plastic material as they are durable, but cost-effective. Plus, they are lightweight, easy to transport, flexible, and UV-resistant too. But if you want something heavier and durable for high-speed roads, you can go for concrete Jersey barricades. 
• Visibility: Barricades are installed indoors and outdoors. So, for increased visibility in nighttime or low-visibility areas, we suggest you go for barricades with bright colors and reflective sheeting.
• Durability: Ensure the material you choose can withstand impact, weather changes, and rough handling. JACKWIN’s traffic barricades are made with high-quality material, are long-lasting, UV and impact resistant. Plus, they last longer.
• Portability: If you need to move barricades often, go for plastic-material barricades, as they are lightweight and require less human effort for transportation needs.
• Stability: Well, if you manage traffic or crowd control in windy or high-traffic areas, go for barricades that are heavy and can withstand heavy wind or harsh weather (like JACKWIN’s traffic cones and water-filled barriers).
• Compliance: Most important one, always ensure to choose barricades that must meet OSHA, MUTCD, or your area’s local safety standards.

Best Practices for Setting Up and Using Barricades

• Always place barricades at an even height. From where drivers can see them from a far distance. Plus, if you’re installing them during nighttime or in a low-visibility area, then use barricade lights for enhanced visibility.
• Choose barricades based on your project location and traffic areas. Such as going for plastic-based barricades, for temporary or short-term projects. On the other hand, go for steel barricades for crowd control. And for permanent needs, use concrete ones for high-impact zones.
• When you set up barricades, make sure you place them in the same pattern with an equal distance. That way, they clearly define the restricted area and restrict pedestrians and vehicles.
• Always inspect barricades before every use and install the ones that are in good condition. Because if you use cracked, faded, or broken barricades, you could face serious penalties from higher-ups. 
• Ensure you follow and comply with safety standards for barricade placement and use. This helps you stay legally protected. Plus, you could properly guide/ divert/ block traffic to avoid accidents.
• Situations change, especially on active and high-speed traffic sites. So, whenever or where needed, you must ensure to reposition or update barricades.

Wrapping It Up:

At this point, we hope that you now have a deep understanding of everything about barricades. Although it seems a very basic object placed on roads, from a public perspective. However, they play a huge role in ensuring the safety of drivers, workers, and pedestrians.

So if you are looking for high-quality barricades for your next project, JACKWIN has been serving professionals like you for 18+ years. Currently, we have a large stock of available plastic and metal barricades at a competitive wholesale rate. Our team can also customize barricades for you as per your requirements. So contact us today for a quick inquiry!