What are industrial catwalks?

Industrial catwalk systems are a secure and practical way for employees to access overhead areas in a factory or warehouse. They provide an easy means of accessing equipment as well as acting as elevated footpaths for workers, and can be customized to suit the specific needs of your operation.

Industrial catwalk systems are designed to prevent disruption of activities on the floor, and can be assembled overnight with no new construction needed. Catwalks coupled with mezzanines are a highly effective way to take advantage of the vertical space in your building and augment your capacity without the considerable pain of new construction.

How Are Catwalks Used?

Commercial facilities use catwalks for a variety of reasons, the most common being to connect two locations on the manufacturing or warehouse floor without inhibiting the wider workflow. This can also greatly improve safety, as catwalks are able to channel employees away from hazardous equipment, chemicals, forklifts, or other potentially unsafe operations.

Catwalk systems can also provide elevated access to tanks, hoppers, machinery and other large installations. Generally, it can be awkward to service and adjust oversized equipment using floor level options like scissor lifts. Catwalks can be stationed so that workers can readily access equipment for routine maintenance functions.

Warehouse catwalks are frequently used in combination with mezzanines to facilitate access to elevated storage and work spaces. Mezzanine and catwalk combinations can take advantage of the cubic area in a warehouse, significantly enhancing space utilization and efficiency.

Catwalks come in a broad array of types, so you can choose one that meets your specific needs. If you're not sure what type of catwalk would work best for your business, contact Raymond West for consultation.

What are the benefits of using industrial catwalks?

There are several advantages to putting catwalks to use in your warehouse. For starters, they can be freely customized to fit the specific needs of your operation. This they are an ideal solution for a small business with anticipation of growth.

Additionally, catwalks provide safe and convenient accessibility to all areas of your building. This is particularly beneficial in facilities where installed fixtures must be serviced frequently or where there is a lot of floor traffic. Essentially, industrial catwalks make more of your warehouse accessible while improving safety.

How are industrial catwalks installed?

Factory built catwalks usually ship in sections that can be readily assembled onsite. Walkways, supports, rails and stairs can all be bolted together fairly easily. Catwalk assembly can be done by your employees or outside contractors like Raymond West.

Customized catwalk systems are a more involved process. After an initial site survey, system design, fabrication and installation can take several weeks.

Are industrial and warehouse catwalks safe?

Catwalks are quite safe. They come equipped with safety rails and stairs, and their heavy steel construction can easily withstand mishaps like moderate forklift impacts and other safety incidents.

As a matter of fact, catwalk systems can greatly enhance the safety profile inside your facility by removing employees from potentially risky activities. For facilities with heavy forklift traffic, catwalk systems can route pedestrians away from lift trucks and reduce accidents.

For a handful of industrial tasks like smelting or chemical processing, catwalks can be essential equipment for keeping workers away from potentially hazardous activities.

Catwalk Systems Near Me

If you think your operation could benefit from the use of catwalks, or you want to discuss options for catwalk or mezzanine systems, contact an engineering expert at Raymond West today.

Raymond West's Stockton facility serves much of the northern Central Valley, including Stockton, Lathrop, Lodi, Tracy, Modesto, and Merced.

Raymond West | Stockton Material Handling Equipment Supplier

19107 Christopher Way
Lathrop, CA 95330
(800) 675-2500