#Loading docks driver
Conversely, a red light on the outside of the dock communicated to the truck driver that it is not safe to pull away from the dock. Inside the loading dock, a green light indicates the trailer has been secured to the building and it is safe for a forklift operator to begin the loading and unloading process. The red/green signaling system found around many loading docks has become a familiar fixture at plants and warehouses in the last several decades. One clear trend is toward technological upgrades of loading docks, specifically making them more automated. A good start is finding a comprehensive safety system which offers upgradeable features to reduce risk in the present and increase safety in the future when the timing and budget allows. However, there is no single piece of equipment that can resolve every safety challenge at the loading dock. These can lead to losses of $135 million in direct costs and another $650 million in indirect costs.Īn estimated two-thirds of loading dock accidents can be prevented with equipment and technology which already exists. When accidents occur at the loading dock – and they do, all too frequently – it leads to damaged products and equipment along with costly workplace injuries. However, gradual improvements in ergonomics and technology have elevated the loading dock from a relatively low-tech area to a safer, easier workplace for employees. Click here to talk to a Rite-Hite representative today.Despite major technological advances reshaping the inside of industrial settings and warehouse facilities throughout the U.S., the loading dock has remained seemingly unchanged. Before you make your decision, we recommend talking to an expert that can listen to your needs and loading dock restrictions so you can make the most informed decision possible.
In addition, the ease of installation and generally smaller investment, since constructing dock pits can be costly, can make edge of docks more attractive to businesses with tighter budgets.Īt the end of the day, traditional dock levelers and edge of docks have the same purpose, but their differences make them ideal for very different types of loading dock setups. If your facility has limited working ranges, light load capacities and tight centerlines in the drive approach, it may make more sense to utilize edge of docks. Captive fleets, for instance, will typically have a predictable, standard height.Įdge of dock levelers have similar functionality to traditional dock levelers-the lip is raised up, extended and then lowered to bridge the dock to the trailer bed. While this configuration offers less flexibility for handling a variety of dock and trailer heights, edge of dock levelers are perfect for warehouses or industrial facilities that service trucks with minimal height differences. Last but not least, traditional dock levelers offer a wider variety of leveler styles to fit your loading dock needs and restrictions, including:Īs opposed to traditional dock levelers that are mounted within a dock pit, edge of docks are designed to be mounted directly to the dock face. This allows for multiple pieces of dock equipment to be interlocked, which enables a customizable sequence of operation to ensure safety and security for trailers and personnel at the loading dock. Loading dock levelers also offer a greater number of options for incorporating loading dock communication and safety controls than edge of docks.
The size of loading docks and the heights of truck trailers are standardized to a degree, but dock heights do tend to vary, which is why dock levelers may be needed for your loading dock operations. It’s this flexibility that really sets the two apart from one another. When a truck comes to the dock, the leveler is then raised up and a lip folds out, connecting the dock with the trailer bed.Ĭompared to edge of dock levelers, the design of traditional loading dock levelers creates a safe bridge for a wider variety of dock and trailer sizes. The first thing to note about traditional dock levelers is that these are mounted within a loading dock pit.