Durability, Safety and More: 9 Reasons to Use Cable Ramps

Just about every single construction site, warehouse, garage and studio across the nation has cables running all over the place. Without proper cable management, these cables become dangerous trip hazards for people walking through the area, and they could be damaged or destroyed by vehicles passing over them.

This is where cable ramps come in. A high-quality series of cable protection systems will enhance the safety of your facility, while keeping the cables themselves in better condition. Take a look at some of the primary benefits associated with the use of cable ramps.

1. Durability: High-quality cable ramps and protectors are designed to withstand a significant amount of abuse, which is important when you consider the high-traffic locations they’re used in. Durability is paramount where heavy machinery and equipment roll back and forth over these ramps.
2. Safety: This is perhaps the most obvious benefit of cable ramps. Strategic use of cable ramps and protectors prevents trip hazards at worksites, which is crucial to avoid potential accidents and injuries. It’s why cable management is part of OSHA worksite safety standards.
3. Avoid liability: By staying compliant with all safety regulations and promoting a safer workplace, you can also avoid potential liability in workplace injury claims. Accidents and injuries caused by poor cable management and safety standards could result in your business being held liable in the event of an accident.
4. Protection: Of course, cable ramps don’t just protect workers in the facility where they’re implemented—they also protect the cables themselves. Machinery rolling over the top of the cables can result in them wearing out. With cable ramps, those cables are protected for years to come, allowing you to avoid having to regularly spend money to replace them.
5. Versatile: You can find cable ramps in a variety of different sizes or styles to meet the specific needs of your facility. You’ll find ramps that can fit multiple cables, cables of different diameters, and ramps designed for specific styles of cables. These ramps will come in different lengths or widths, and can easily be grouped together to provide you with the protection you need for the full length of your cables running across exposed areas.
6. Accessibility: In addition to meeting safety standards as set by OSHA and other regulatory bodies, cable ramps also help create more accessible spaces for people using wheelchairs or other mobility devices, which might have a difficult time moving over certain types of cables.
7. Traction: Cable ramps provide some extra traction for footing when you’re walking over them. Good traction is important—especially when you’re stepping on an uneven surface.
8. Durability: High-quality cable ramps and protectors are designed to withstand a significant amount of abuse, which is important when you consider the high-traffic locations they’re used in. Durability is paramount where heavy machinery and equipment roll back and forth over these ramps.
9. Ease of use: Cable ramps are designed to be easy to set up so you can easily move them around as needed. They have very few maintenance requirements, so you can expect them to stay in good condition for a long time to come.

Choosing a cable ramp

If you find yourself in the market for cable safety solutions for your facility, warehouse or jobsite, consider the following factors as you start your search:

Channels

The number of channels you look for in your cable ramps will depend on the number of cables you have running across a particular area. More channels support more cables and larger channel sizes support different types of cabling or hoses—like those used for large water hoses, to ensure flow isn’t disrupted. Channel style varies, as well. Some ramps with large capacity channels—such as 5-channel cable ramps—have a lid design for cables, versus a drop-over design.

Weight rating

Consider the kind of equipment likely to pass over the ramps on a regular basis. From forklifts to fully-loaded dump trucks, select a weight rating that makes sense for your worksite. Cable ramp capacities typically range from 1,000 lbs. for foot traffic to as high as 6,000 lbs. for vehicles, and some industrial cable safety solutions can support up to 40,000 lbs. of heavy machinery rolling over them!

Material

There are a variety of different materials available for cable ramps, including rubber, plastic and polyurethane. Polyurethane has become the most popular for commercial cable ramps due to its lower weight, outstanding durability, excellent load bearing capacity, resistance to oils and chemicals, high abrasion points and ultraviolet resistance.

Colors

There are some colors that will provide you with better visibility so you can more easily see where the ramps are located on the floor when maneuvering equipment. If visibility is an issue, opt for cable ramps with orange or yellow channel covers. These will stand out in any environment and in most lighting.

Existing connectors or ramps

Consider the cable ramps and connectors you already have in your facility, and whether or not you need to match them. Match connectors on existing ramps to extend channel protection and make sure you know how many ganged ramp pieces you need beforehand. Connectors include dog bone and T-shapes, so be mindful as you link together cable solutions.

Outfit your facility with cable ramps to create a safer, more compliant workspace and to protect the cables you have running through your facility. Discount Ramps offer for office, foot traffic and smaller vehicle applications, ADA-compliant cable protectors to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility devices in the workplace, as well as heavy-duty cable ramps for construction zones and extreme applications like pit mines and large-scale operations. Dropover cable ramps offer an easier solution for quickly creating safe cable protection.