Case Studies
Fueling Up on Safety - Protecting RD Petroleum Tanks
Some things just need protection — and above-ground petrol tanks are at the top of that list. No matter how carefully positioned, these tanks face a real risk from vehicle impact. Petrol may be an everyday commodity, but it’s also highly flammable and potentially explosive. While Hollywood action scenes might dramatise fuel fires, the danger is all too real, with serious incidents having caused devastating injuries and loss of life. For one high-use above-ground tank, we worked with the client to install protection where it matters most: the refuelling end where vehicles regularly pull up. Certified Protection, Minimal InterruptionWe recommended Tru-Gard™ Standard Bollards. Slimline, impact-tested to AS/NZS 1170.1, 3.8 car park standards, and designed to protect without obstructing access. For added coverage along the tank’s sides, we used our 610-1 safety barrier configuration: 610mm-high posts with one barrier rail, providing strong protection without creating access issues. Depending on site layout and risk, we can also recommend larger bollards or higher barrier configurations (such as 610-2, 910-2, or 910-3) for maximum peace of mind. Solutions Supplied Tru-Gard™ Standard Bollards Tru-Gard™ Safety Barrier 610-1 Configuration Keeping Dangerous Goods SafeWhen it comes to storing and protecting petroleum, prevention is everything. Our solutions help ensure safety for your site, your people, and the public. If you have an asset that needs protecting contact our team today for a no-drama safety solution.
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Playing it Safe at Mount Smart Stadium
At times, it can be hard enough being a Wah’s fan, without the additional worry of being run over on the way to and from the game! Mount Smart Stadium, home of the NRL’s New Zealand Warriors, is a busy venue, welcoming tens of thousands of fans each year for sporting fixtures, concerts, community events, and other large-scale entertainment. Their stadium management team approached us to install our bollards around the perimeter of the grounds to keep pedestrians safe from traffic and prevent vehicles from parking too close to the stadium walls or gates. With limited vehicle access required at times, usually in the form of a golf cart, our team worked around the cart’s measurements while creating a much clearer and safer pedestrian zone. The Tru-Gard Solution: We supplied a combination of fixed safety bollards and removable bollards, allowing for flexibility in the event of future earthworks, construction, or emergency access. All removable bollards can be easily unlocked and removed when needed, ensuring both adaptability and security. It’s a great outcome for the Mount Smart Stadium management team and fans alike. Now everyone can visit Mount Smart knowing they’ll be safe while focusing on the most important job of all, cheering on their team - Up the Wahs!
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More than just bad parking: A Tru-Gard Safety Insight into Safer Car Parks.
Car parks – they’re everywhere, and they’re full of hazards. No, we don’t just mean people’s questionable parking; there are genuine dangers, including moving traffic, rogue trolleys, and pedestrians to watch out for. Incidentally, we have a simple, non-moving solution for making these areas safer – our Tru-Gard Bollards. Available in safety yellow or galvanised finishes, they can be installed in your choice of removable, surface-mount, or in-ground configurations to suit. While this may sound vaguely like the safety equivalent of a fast-food order, side note also perfect for these sites, our bollards are the ideal solution for sites where pedestrians and vehicles need to be separated. The benefits don’t end there – our Tru-Gard bollards are perfect for supermarkets, shopping centres, sports grounds, hospitals and healthcare centres, stadiums, or anywhere pedestrian and vehicle traffic need to be kept apart. They are also backed by our 10-year warranty and have been independently tested to ensure they are up to the task. By minimising risks and ensuring clear boundaries, our bollards help make these spaces safer for everyone – reducing accidents and providing peace of mind for both drivers and pedestrians. “At Tru-Gard, we’re driven by a commitment to make every car park safer – from quick supermarket stops to hospital visits. Our bollards provide a reliable way to keep people and traffic safely apart. Wherever your park, we’re working to make it safer.” – Bromley Taylor, Safety Sales NZ If your site could do with additional safety or, you’d like our team to provide advice for your space contact us today to find out more about our customised safety solutions.
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Bollards, Barriers, and Beyond at Bunnings Timaru
If you’ve ever shopped at a Bunnings Warehouse, especially on a sunny day or public holiday, you’ll know just how busy the place can be. With customer vehicles constantly on the move, trucks making deliveries out the back, forklifts shifting stock, and plenty of pedestrians and staff on foot, it’s a hive of activity. With all these moving parts, it was essential to develop a safety solution that considered every aspect. We worked closely with the team to identify risks and hazards specific to their store and create custom safety solutions to suit. The Tru-Gard Solution: At the front, Tru-Gard Bollards keep pedestrians safe and the building protected from any accidental “put it in drive instead of reverse” incidents. Out the back, Tru-Gard Barriers safeguard team members and the building from damage caused by wide-swinging trucks and forklifts laden with heavy pallets of hardware. We also supplied Tru-Gard Expanding Barriers, enabling staff to create temporary safe zones while they work and redirect pedestrians around short-term hazards. The Products: Tru-Gard Certified Safety Bollards Tru-Gard Certified Safety Barrier Tru-Gard Expanding Barrier By working together, this store is now safer for staff, shoppers, and store assets. If you’d like to know more about customising a safer space for your site, contact our team today.
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Preventing Fatalities & Injuries for Ports, Cold Stores, & Shipyards: A Tru-Gard Safety Insight.
In the busy, high-risk environments of ports, cold storage facilities, and shipyards, protecting people, products, and property is paramount. These dynamic workplaces come with inherent risks, from separating pedestrians and traffic to managing freight and safeguarding high-value assets. From unloading freight into cold storage to navigating bustling packing and handling facilities, hazards are everywhere. Customised Safety Solutions for Every Space Tru-Gard products are designed to meet the unique needs of each facility. From internal fit-outs to external safety, our solutions are configurable to suit any layout or hazard profile. Whether you need to separate pedestrian walkways from vehicle paths, protect racks of stock from forklift damage, create safer work zones for staff, or safeguard doors against truck damage, Tru-Gard products ensure every corner of your workplace is covered. Our Product Range: Built for Protecting Our versatile product range includes: Handrails and barriers: Essential for creating safe walkways for pedestrians, separating vehicles, and protecting property from damage. Door frame bollards: Protect entry points and commercial doors from impact damage. Cast-in and removable bollards: Offering flexible solutions for permanent or temporary installations. Mesh tunnels: Safeguard workers in high-risk zones while preventing damage from falling stock. Pallet protection: Safeguard pallet racks and stock. Personnel gates: Provide controlled access points for pedestrians. Every product is designed and manufactured in Dunedin, New Zealand, ensuring the quality and durability needed to withstand the harsh demands of these environments. Between 2012 and 2023, 18 deaths were reported among port workers in New Zealand, with an average of 1.8 fatalities per year.**Source NZ Herald, 20 Oct. 2023 Proven Expertise Across New Zealand & Australia Our team has worked on projects across the country, from the northernmost ports to the southern tip of New Zealand. Our experience spans diverse facilities, including temperature-sensitive cold stores, cruise ship passenger terminals, car parking, and busy docks. This breadth of expertise enables us to understand the specific challenges faced by New Zealand and Australian ports and deliver tailored solutions that work. Why Choose Tru-Gard? Risk reduction: Minimise the chances of damage to products and property, and most importantly, reduce the risk of accidents or loss of life. Operational efficiency: Streamline workflows by meeting safety requirements, reducing downtime from accidents, and avoiding costly repairs. Durable solutions: Products built to last in demanding environments, with finishes suitable for internal and external applications. Locally owned and operated: Proudly NZ-made, supporting local businesses that understand the unique challenges of the New Zealand and Australian environments. Real-World Impact: Safer Workplaces, Stronger Operations As published in the New Zealand Herald, between 2012 and 2023, 18 deaths were reported among port workers in New Zealand, with an average of 1.8 fatalities per year. With a stevedore fatality rate of 20 deaths per 100,000 workers, the second-highest fatality rate of any sector in New Zealand. Although no safety product can prevent every accident, Tru-Gard has a proven track record of helping businesses improve operations and mitigate risk. For instance: At Port Otago, our custom handrail and bollard system reduced risks by keeping cruise ship pedestrians separated from moving vehicles, preventing tourists from entering high-risk areas. In other ports, our solutions have minimised near-misses and accidents between forklifts and pedestrians in busy freight zones. At the San Won cold storage facility in Timaru, our barriers and personnel gates have provided clearly defined, safer pedestrian walkways, and ongoing protection against damage, saving the business time and repair costs. Let’s Make Your Workplace Safer If you’re looking to enhance safety in your port, cold store, packing facilities, or shipyard, Tru-Gard is here to help. Whether it’s a new-build project or assessing your current safety measures, contact our team today to learn how we can make your workplace safer. Read another Tru-Gard Safety Success Story Here
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Heavy Haulage Meets High Safety at Mainfreight Hobsonville
We’re excited to introduce Mainfreight’s brand-new distribution centre on Westpoint Drive, Hobsonville. This state-of-the-art facility allows Mainfreight to service its customers in western and northern Auckland from a strategically located base, reducing reliance on facilities over an hour away. From this new location, Mainfreight supports freight operations across a vast region, stretching north from the Auckland Harbour Bridge to Te Hana and west from Henderson to cover all of West Auckland. This area represents a significant portion of Auckland’s freight traffic—approximately 35-40% of the city’s total volume. To accommodate this, the depot has been built on a grand scale, with a massive 15,000 m² footprint that includes the main depot floor, loading zones, and extensive truckways and breezeways. The facility also features three raised dock levellers, a commercial-grade gantry truck wash, and parking for 100 vehicles, ensuring the site is equipped to handle the high volume of activity it sees daily. To protect key areas of this high-traffic site, Mainfreight partnered with us to install robust steel solutions. The project included our Tru-Gard™ Downpipe Protectors, large Cast-in Bollards, and several runs of Certified Safety Barrier, all designed to safeguard vulnerable parts of the building from heavy transport and lighter vehicle movements. Our signature, high-visibility, galvanised yellow was chosen to withstand outdoor weather conditions while ensuring safety—plus, it perfectly complements Mainfreight’s bold corporate colours. The result? A bright, functional, and resilient depot ready to meet Auckland’s freight demands. Tru-Gard Products Used on this Project: Bollards Safety Barrier Downpipe Protectors Wheel Guides
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Trailblazing Safety Solutions for Mountain Biking Otago
Here at Tru-Gard, we love the opportunity to provide a safety solution for more unusual spaces. So, when the team from Mountain Biking Otago got in touch about their car park, we were excited to offer a tailored solution that would meet their unique needs. Much like carrying a puncture kit or wearing a helmet, having visible, strong barriers in your car park just makes sense. Whether you’re managing an outdoor adventure site or any location where vehicles and people need to stay separated, the right bollard solution can make a significant difference. At Mountain Biking Otago, large SUVs and utes are commonly used to transport bikes, but with multiple riders and vehicles on site, safety and organisation are crucial. Tru-Gard Certified Bollards keeping adrenaline seekers and vehicles separated. “At Tru-Gard, we thrive on tackling unique projects, so collaborating with Mountain Biking Otago on their car park was a fantastic opportunity for us. Creating a safe, well-organised space is essential in any high-activity site like this, where large vehicles and multiple riders need clear boundaries. Our removable bollard solution not only brings the flexibility needed for their dynamic environment but also adds an extra layer of safety to help keep riders and vehicles in their own lanes.”– Bromley Taylor, Safety Solution Sales NZ By installing removable bollards, we gave Mountain Biking Otago the flexibility to clearly define their car park and separate vehicle zones from pedestrian areas. The bollards help keep vehicles out of spaces where they’re not needed, reducing the risk of accidents, and ensuring that areas are used for their intended purpose. This simple yet effective solution also allows for easy adjustments — bollards can be added or removed as required, making it easy to accommodate changes in traffic, site use, emergency access or any other changes as needed. These bollards are not only practical; they’re also highly visible, clearly marking where drivers and riders should and shouldn’t be. In a busy, action-packed environment like a mountain biking site, visibility and safety are paramount — and our Tru-Gard bollards help enhance safety for everyone on site. If you’d like to learn more about bollard solutions for your site, whether standard or tricky, contact our expert team today, or view our range here. NZ Sales – Bromley Taylor, bromley.taylor@tru-gard.com __ Read another Tru-Gard Safety Success Story Here Tru-Gard Certified Bollards creating clearly defined zones for riders and drivers. Please note bollards featured in this project use a former cap design.
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