Do I Need Column Pads & Where Should They Be Installed?

Column pads are one of the simplest and easiest ways to maximize the safety of your facility. These pads add valuable cushion to columns, helping prevent injuries in the case of an impact. Understanding when column pads are necessary and just where they should be installed can help you protect customers and employees and create a safer overall environment.

What Are Column Pads?

Column pads are protective coverings designed to be applied to vertical columns in a structure. These pads typically feature durable vinyl covers that are wrapped over foam. Most pads feature hook and loop tape sewn into them, so you can easily wrap them around a column. The result is a quick and easy installation, plus you can easily remove the pads if you need to access the columns in the future.

You’ll find column pads available in several different thicknesses and sizes. The thicker the foam, the more shock absorption it generally provides, so choosing a thicker padding gives you enhanced protection and safety. These wraps are offered in numerous dimensions, plus you can often order custom pads in the dimensions and colors you need.

Common Hazards Around Columns

Columns are often an essential structural element for buildings, but their presence can be hazardous for employees and customers. When employees are working in industrial or warehouse settings, they can potentially walk into columns while navigating the space. Columns used in schools, especially in gymnasiums, pose a collision hazard for students. And when athletes are working out or training in gyms, they can sustain an injury if they collide with a column.

When Column Pads are Necessary versus Optional

Column pads are typically necessary when there’s a high risk of a collision with a column. For example, a school’s insurance might require the school to place wraps on all of the columns in the gymnasium. When creating a safe room for students, a school may have to install padding on the corners, walls, and columns.

There’s more of a grey area when there isn’t an imminent risk of colliding with a column. For example, a post that’s well out of the way of a working area might not need to be padded. That said, it’s always a good idea to invest in column pads to cover any exposed structures, and this simple precaution could pay off by preventing injuries.

Where Column Pads Should Be Installed

Consider installing column pads on any column where a collision is possible. That might include:

• Corners, such as a corner in a commonly used route in a warehouse


• Loading docks, including columns and square posts that staff are driving or walking in between


• Pedestrian zones where staff or customers frequently travel


• Columns in or around areas used by customers or students, such as in gyms or dog training facilities

Order Column Pads from Greatmats

At Greatmats, we have an excellent selection of column pads, plus we specialize in other types of padding, like wall pads. Many of our items can be custom-ordered, and we’re happy to manufacture column pads to meet your specific requirements. Contact our customer service team today to place a custom order or to learn more about our products.