Let's take a look at some different scenarios, focusing on safety first. Loading docks are busy places with multiple activities taking place simultaneously and are the most common area for accidents to occur. In many cases, there's no one person capable of overseeing everything that's going on while product is being moved in and out, trucks are being loaded and unloaded, weather concerns may be an issue and pedestrians and moving equipment are operating in the same area. It's a recipe for the potential of serious injury, but you can take steps to ensure that your dock operations are running safely and efficiently.
Some of the ways dock safety can be compromised include forklift mishaps, including overturning or running into other equipment and/or personnel. The OSHA designation "slips, trips and falls" – one of the most dangerous areas in all warehouse operations – applies to dock work. Other areas of concern include trailer separation, material handling injuries, and unguarded machinery and dock edges. Obviously, good training and good oversight cannot be replaced by equipment, but taking proper measures with your installed dock equipment can go a long way to preventing accidents. Some of warehouse and dock and door equipment that Madland Toyota-Lift supplies – and can help you install and maintain – includes:
Dock Levelers
Not all trucks are built to the same height and a heavy load can adjust the height of a truck, as well. It's up to you to make sure that the difference between your warehouse floor and the truck is level so that loading and unloading minimizes the probability of a forklift accident or an employee fall. Some examples of different types of dock levelers are hydraulic (stores in the dock pit and provides the smoothest transition), manual, vertical, edge of dock, container. At Madland Toyota-Lift,
we can help you decide which type is best for your budget and the scope of your operation.
Seals and Shelters
Your dock doors are large holes in the walls of your warehouse – exposing people and products to dust, debris, weather and critters (think rats), while letting any temperature controls you employ escape. These things contribute to contamination, employee safety and product maintenance. Putting a complete seal on your dock doors can have an immediate effect on these issues, helping promote employee productivity, as well as helping your budget when it comes to energy-related bills. Additionally, dock seals can protect the integrity of your dock doors compromised by an over-eager driver backing in a little too quickly. Dock seals and shelters are easy to install and maintain and Madland Toyota-Lift
can help you with that.
Restraints
Whether inadvertently or by carelessness, a truck leaving the dock at the wrong time during the loading or unloading operation can have tragic consequences. Truck restraints can prevent that from happening by providing a secure force to prevent the truck leaving and "creep", which can occur as a trailer is being handled by forklift activity. At Madland Toyota-Lift, we supply truck restraints, as well as stop and go communication lights for an added safety level.
Lifts
Budget-friendly dock lifts may be used for a variety of tasks, including leveling the space between a dock and a trailer, as a safer option to ramps and inclines, to move expensive heavy equipment from one floor to another and more. Dock lifts are available in a variety of weight capacities, from medium duty to heavy duty and more.
Dock Accessories
From proper dock lighting to dock bumpers and plates, Madland Toyota-Lift has dock accessories to complete your dock preparation for maximum safety, efficiency and production. We'll be happy
to consult with you and come up with a plan of action to satisfy your business goals.
At Madland Toyota-Lift, we have the dock equipment and the years of experience to optimize your operations. We also offer complete installation.
Contact us today to find your warehouse and dock solutions.
