By Christopher Knollys, Managing Director of sara Loading Bay Specialists.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the transport and storage sector has a considerably higher rate of injury than the UK average, and has the second highest rate of total injuries. An estimated 25% of all factory and warehouse accidents occur in the loading bay area, which is not surprising when considering the volume of traffic using loading bays, as well as the variety of personnel who are required to work in the area.
Dock Equipment, safety systems and industrial door solutions
Dock equipment used in the distribution industry to make the loading bay area of a facility more accessible and to provide safe movement of goods in the dock area. The equipment is used to enable the safe loading and unloading at the distribution area ensuring that the goods at the rear of the truck are being unloaded or loaded at the same height as the receiving warehouse/distribution centre floor. Loading dock equipment includes elevating docks, dock levelers, dock boards, dock lights, bumpers, seals, shelters, vehicle restraints and industrial traffic doors.
Loading bay safety is critical
Dec 04, 2013
FlexiEdge fast-action industrial doors launched by Stertil Stokvis
Nov 13, 2013
Stertil Stokvis has introduced the FlexiEdge range of fast-action industrial doors offering exceptional safety plus unrivalled resistance to wind, weather and impact damage.
sara LBS launches internet portal for high speed doors
Oct 30, 2013
sara LBS, one of the UK's leading suppliers of high quality roller shutter doors, has launched a new web portal dedicated to high speed door technology.
sara LBS loading bay installed in Trinity Leeds shopping centre
Oct 09, 2013
sara LBS has supplied a selection of loading bay equipment to a leading UK supermarket chain for use in its store at the Trinity Leeds shopping centre.
Thorworld Industries ramps up supply to help textile recycle bank manage the load
Oct 09, 2013
Loading and unloading specialist Thorworld Industries has designed and manufactured two bespoke mobile yardramps to recycling expert BCR Global Textiles, to help manoeuvre the increasing number of clothing containers currently being processed by the organisation.
Stertil Koni lifts support second series of Classic Car Rescue
Sep 18, 2013
Following the huge popularity of the first series of Channel Five's Classic Car Rescue, two 3000kg capacity vehicle lifts from Stertil Koni will once again be playing a vital role in helping the show's stars, Bernie Fineman and Mario Pacione, to restore shameful rust buckets to their former 'classic car' glory in this year's second series.
Unusually shaped goods and limited loading space are key drivers for bespoke yardramps, says Thorworld
Sep 11, 2013
Loading/unloading equipment specialist Thorworld Industries Ltd has detailed some of the reasons why its customers require bespoke yardramps, in order to highlight the importance of tailor-made solutions to meet individual customers' specific logistics needs with a number of recent projects.
Easilift advises a safe start to loading bay design
Sep 03, 2013
Easilift Loading Systems is to underline how companies can improve safety in the loading bay at the Fork Lift Truck Association's 2013 National Fork Lift Safety Conference.
Improving the safety of automated production lines with integrated machine protection doors
Aug 28, 2013
Christopher Knollys, Managing Director of sara LBS, explains how integrating machine protection doors into your automated production areas can reduce the risk of accidents whilst boosting productivity.
The hidden costs of specifying low-quality loading bay equipment...
Aug 07, 2013
Distribution centres and warehouses are at the very heart of any logistics network. To maximise efficiency, and therefore profitability, it is essential that goods can be loaded and unloaded quickly. A key cause for concern for any Warehouse Manager is the reliability of the loading bays as a failure can cause massive disruptions to the entire network. This makes it essential that suitable loading bay equipment is specified and that a regular maintenance schedule is kept. Christopher Knollys, Managing Director of sara LBS, explains how industry certifications can help end-users to specify parts with confidence and the importance of loading bay servicing.
Dock Equipment
Dock equipment refers to the items used to assist with the loading and unloading of materials from trucks in loading bays to buildings. A loading dock, or bay, is typically an elevated opening a building’s sidewall where shipments are sorted and prepared for loading and unloading trailers or shipping containers. Loading docks may be exterior, flush with the building envelope, or fully enclosed, and are commonly used in freight transport distribution centres.
A loading bay is a platform that evens out the height difference between a warehouse floor and a truck. The loading bay is robust and built for heavy loads. Dock plates, dock levellers or dock boards are used to bridge the gap between the truck and the loading bay floor, which work to create a smooth transition of goods between truck and loading docks.
Loading dock equipment:
Dock levellers: These are devices that bridge the gap between the dock and the truck bed, leveling the surface so that goods can be easily loaded and unloaded. There are two main types of dock levellers: automatic and manual. Automatic dock levellers are powered by hydraulics or electric motors, while manual dock levellers are operated by hand cranks.
Dock doors: Dock doors are used to seal the loading dock and keep the interior of the building climate-controlled. There are two main types of dock doors: overhead doors and rolling doors. Overhead doors are raised and lowered vertically, while rolling doors slide horizontally.
Dock shelters: Dock shelters are used to protect goods from the elements while they are being loaded or unloaded. They are typically made of fabric or plastic and are supported by a frame.
Dock bumpers: Dock bumpers are used to protect the dock from damage caused by trucks backing into it. They are typically made of rubber or plastic and are attached to the dock with bolts or brackets.
Vehicle restraint systems: Vehicle restraint systems are used to prevent trucks from rolling away while they are being loaded or unloaded. There are two main types of vehicle restraint systems: wheel chocks and chains. Wheel chocks are blocks of wood or metal that are placed in front of or behind the truck tires to prevent them from rolling. Chains are attached to the truck and anchored to the dock to prevent the truck from moving.
Common Types of Dock Levellers:
- Pit Levellers
Mechanical Pit Leveller
Air Pit Leveller
Hydraulic Pit Leveller
Vertical Dock Leveller - Rail Dock Levellers
- Edge of Dock (EOD) Leveller
In addition to these common types of loading dock equipment, there are a number of other specialized pieces of equipment that may be used in certain situations. For example, some loading docks may have loadhouses, which are enclosed structures that provide a safe and secure place to load and unload goods. Other loading docks may have conveyor belts, which can be used to move goods from the truck to the interior of the building.
The specific loading dock equipment that is used will vary depending on the needs of the business. However, the types of equipment listed above are the most common and are essential for safe and efficient loading and unloading of goods.
