Why do Okanagan Businesses Need Chain Link Security Fences?

Why do Okanagan businesses need chain link security fences?

This may seem like a no brainer (to us, anyway), but people often get themselves into all sorts of predicaments when it comes to industrial sites and hazardous work places—Hello WorkSafe BC!—so it just makes sense that an Okanagan business using dangerous equipment or hazardous materials should build strong chain link security fencing on their site to protect people from...well, themselves.

In the Okanagan region of BC, there are hundreds of commercial and industrial sites that store materials and equipment that can create serious risk if accessed by the wrong person—or handled without proper supervision. Propane tanks, fuel containers, industrial chemicals, farming chemicals, construction supplies, and specialized equipment can all pose hazards to the public and to staff if they’re left exposed or unsecured.

A lack of safety cages or security fencing is a recipe for disaster!

Worldwide Examples of Fatalities and Injuries Due to Unsecured Industrial Sites

These days, we don't have to look too hard to find tragic examples of what happens when businesses don't properly secure industrial sites. Here are just two incidents of hundreds reported in the last 10 years that were directly related to a lack of security fencing (or improperly installed security fencing):

• In 2020 in Glasgow, Scotland, 10-year-old Shea Ryan died after accessing a construction site that was not properly fenced. He fell 20 feet into an uncovered manhole shaft and sustained a major head injury that led to his drowning. It took five years for the incident to be fully investigated, but the construction company was held fully liable for failing to have proper safety fencing in place.

• In 2022, a man in Penticton, BC died after crawling into an industrial recycling bin to sleep and being crushed by the recycling truck. Investigators and authorities all agree that, had the business property been properly fenced with security fencing, the man would not have had access to the bin at all. Another example of how important chain link security fencing can be in preventing injuries, fatalities, and lawsuits.

More generally, there is also a HUGE problem with illicit drug makers regularly stealing unsecured Anhydrous Ammonia (a common agricultural fertilizer sold by feed stores) to make Methamphetamine. It's usually stored as a liquid under pressure and, if depressurized incorrectly, can cause explosions, major chemical burns, acute respiratory failure and even death. Many farmers who use it don't secure the tanks behind security fencing and thieves steal it and release it mistakenly, causing many issues—residential evacuations, chemical poisoning, etc.

A hazardous materials safety cage made from chain link security fences (like the one below that Blue Rhino Fence built in 2024) is one of the most practical, cost-effective ways to control access, reduce liability, and keep industrial operations in Vernon and the rest of the Okanagan running safely. Whether you operate a warehouse in Vernon, an industrial yard in Kelowna, a service facility in Penticton, or a large dairy farm in Armstrong, secure containment is a smart upgrade that helps protect people, property, and your business.

How can chain link security fencing protect the public from real-world hazards?

As we said, people need to be protected from themselves and we can think of so many reasons your business should consider having a professional fence builder, like Blue Rhino Fence, come in and put up a solid, dependable chain link security fence.

It will Keep Curious Hands Away

Even when your site is “off limits,” it doesn’t always stop people from wandering in—especially if storage areas are visible from a sidewalk, parking lot, or shared access lane. A hazardous materials safety cage creates a physical barrier that helps prevent:

• Accidental contact with hazardous materials

• Tampering with valves, regulators, caps, or fittings

• Improper handling of containers or tools

• Unsupervised access to large machinery after hours

This matters in the Okanagan where many commercial properties are near residential areas, trails, busy corridors, and mixed-use zones. Chain link fencing with barbed wire toppers or electric fence toppers provides strong security while still allowing visibility for quick inspections.

It Reduces Fire and Safety Risks With Controlled Access

Some dangerous goods become far more hazardous when they’re moved, tipped, opened, or stored incorrectly. A secured and gated chain link enclosure helps ensure only trained staff have access, which reduces the chance of mishandling that could lead to:

• Leaks or spills

• Fire hazards

• Exposure incidents

• Emergency response calls

A properly planned enclosure isn’t just about locks—it’s about smart access control and safe storage practices.

It Deters Theft of Expensive Materials and Equipment

Aside from Anhydrous Ammonia thefts, general theft is a major concern for Okanagan businesses as well, particularly for items that are easy to resell or reuse. Propane cylinders, copper and metal materials, tools, and industrial supplies can disappear quickly—often after hours.

Chain Link Security Fences Create Less Time and More Noise

Most theft is opportunistic. A visible barrier—especially one with a lockable gate and extra security features like barbed wire or angled toppers—makes the target less attractive.

Chain link security fences work because they:

• Add delay (thieves need more time to get in and out)

• Increase visibility (harder to steal unnoticed)

• Create noise and effort (climbing/cutting is loud and risky)

If you’re storing high-value materials, a lockable enclosure is often a cheaper preventative measure than replacing stolen items repeatedly.

It Helps with Inventory Control and Accountability

A defined storage cage also helps your own operations. When dangerous goods and high-value supplies are stored in one controlled location, it’s easier to:

• Track inventory and reduce loss

• Limit access to authorized personnel only

• Spot missing items sooner

• Improve jobsite organization

Security improves when your yard layout supports it.

How can security fencing prevent workplace accidents and improve industrial site safety?

Separation Keeps People Out of Danger Zones

When hazardous or heavy materials are stored in open areas, staff and contractors may pass too close, stack items improperly, or use space that should be restricted as a shortcut.

A fenced enclosure creates a clear boundary that helps prevent:

• Trips and falls around stored supplies

• Accidental bumps or knocks that cause spills of heavy materials or chemicals

• Forklift incidents and unsafe traffic flow

• Unauthorized use of equipment or materials

A hazardous materials safety cage clearly tells everyone: this zone is controlled, and it’s controlled for a reason.

Better Compliance and Fewer “Close Calls”

Many businesses improve their safety culture by eliminating gray areas. Instead of relying on signs alone (“Keep Out”), a physical enclosure reinforces expectations. That often leads to fewer close calls, fewer incident reports, and a smoother relationship with insurers and safety planning.

Why is chain link ideal for safety cages and permitter fencing for Okanagan Businesses?

Chain link is popular for protecting dangerous-goods and heavy machinery containment because it balances strength, visibility, and cost.

Chain Link Increases Visibility for Inspections and Monitoring

Unlike solid fencing, chain link lets you see what’s inside without opening the enclosure. That helps with:

• quick checks for leaks, damage, missing items, or people inside.

• monitoring storage conditions.

• confirming access points are secured.

Chain Link's durable, Weather-Ready, and Low Maintenance

Okanagan sites deal with hot summers, heavy snow loads, freeze-thaw, and wind exposure. Chain link stands up well in these conditions and typically requires minimal upkeep.

Chain Link is Easy to Customize for Your Risk Level

A chain link safety cages and fences can be configured to protect what you’re storing and how your site operates.

Common add-ons include:

• Lockable swing or sliding gates

• Barbed wire or other anti-climb measures (where appropriate)

• Taller heights for higher-risk storage

• Divided sections to separate materials

• Signage integration (hazard warnings, access rules)

The goal is to make safe handling easy and uncomplicated.

What Should a “Good” Hazardous Materials Safety Cage Should Include?

A fence is only as effective as its design. If you’re building or upgrading a storage enclosure, prioritize the fundamentals.

1. Secure Gates and Reliable Hardware

The gate is the most-used part of the system, and also the most targeted. A good enclosure needs:

• A strong frame and properly set posts

• Quality hinges and latches

• A lock solution that matches your operations

• Clearance and layout that doesn’t encourage propping gates open

2. Right Sizing and Smart Placement

Too small, and you’ll end up storing items outside the cage “just for now.” Too awkwardly placed, and people will avoid using it. The best location supports smooth workflow while still controlling access—especially around loading zones and delivery paths.

3. Professional Installation

Proper post depth, tensioning, and alignment matter. A loose or poorly installed chain link fence becomes easy to conquer, easier to damage, and more expensive long-term.

Blue Rhino Fence: We Provide High-Quality Security Fencing for Okanagan Worksites

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f you’re planning a hazardous materials safety cage or upgrading chain link security fences on your property, it helps to work with a local team that understands Okanagan sites—everything from mixed-use commercial lots to industrial yards and storage compounds.

Blue Rhino Fence regularly builds chain link enclosures designed around real needs: public safety, theft deterrence, and safer day-to-day operations. The end result is a secure, clearly defined storage area or boundaried industrial site that helps you protect your materials and the people around them.

Chain Link Security Fences Provide Safety, Security, and Peace of Mind

Storing dangerous goods or high-value materials and machinery comes with responsibility. A well-built chain link enclosure around your Okanagan Business isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s a practical, must-have safeguard. Get in touch and let us help you create the safety and peace of mind your business needs with a well-built security fence.