levelers can cause chronic spinal injuries and other physical problems – not to mention breaking products. For vertical levelers, ideal for drive-through applications, a key consideration is using a sensor that disables the lowering function of the leveler if movement is detected in the pit area. This adds an additional layer of pedestrian safety during leveler cleaning, maintenance, and everyday use. In addition to the loading dock leveler, it’s important to have a strong vehicle restraint to secure a trailer to the building wall. Operators can engage a vehicle restraint with a trailer’s rear impact guard (RIG) using NEMA 4X controls from inside the plant instead of having to go outside to place unreliable, simple wheel chocks on the potentially dangerous drive approach. Wheel-based restraints can also be an automated operation if the application allows. A properly engaged vehicle restraint can help prevent a host of trailer separation accidents that can lead to risk to products, equipment, and—most importantly— injuries to material handlers. Using logistics equipment at the loading dock once required manual labor. Now, when equipment is interlocked into controls, it can be operated with the ease of a button push.
Interlocking Controls and Safe Sequence of Operation The development of programmable, interlocking controls at the loading dock adds another layer of safety. By combining the vehicle restraint, dock leveler, overhead dock door, dock barrier, and more, dock controls can be programmed to work only in a safe sequence of operation. This allows facility managers to help prevent accidents due to improper usage—saving facilities money, and costly downtime in the long run. Integrating multiple loading dock operations into a simple, centralized control system makes it easier for loading dock attendants to perform docking operations safely and quickly. For example, an interlock system disables the use of a hydraulic leveler, overhead door, or dock barrier until the vehicle restraint has achieved a safe engagement.
Eyes Outside - Boots Off the Ground Advanced loading dock controls can go beyond sensors and offer a live view of the critical safety points on the loading dock exterior. A monitor on the inside of the loading dock, using an exterior camera, can provide a real-time view of the vehicle restraint at the RIG or wheel, as well as at the nose of the trailer. This allows loading dock workers to see if the vehicle restraint has properly engaged with the trailer RIG or wheels, based on which application is used. When equipped with a dual camera, workers inside the loading dock can get a live view of the nose of the trailer to verify trailer stand presence in the case of dropped trailers. Confirming the vehicle restraint is engaged and/or trailer stand present eliminates the need for workers to go outside and manually check these products are working properly. In contrast to false alarms from presence-sensing
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devices, active monitoring from a camera can help keep boots off the ground and help prevent accidents on the drive approach. Additionally, workers might be able to see why a vehicle restraint goes into fault mode instead of having to diagnose the problem while potentially in harm’s way. As a standalone product, these outdoor cameras and indoor monitor can be incorporated into a loading dock area to provide the same benefits described above.
Clear Communication at the Loading Dock Red/green interior and exterior dock lights are the most ubiquitous tool for communication and safety at a loading dock. A green light on the control box inside indicates to a forklift that the trailer is locked and safe to enter, while the corresponding red light outside tells the truck driver it is not safe to pull away (and vice-versa). However, these interior lights are not always visible, as stacked pallets can obscure a lift driver’s view. Thankfully, advancements in LED light communication systems have addressed this issue – and more. Hazard recognition and control systems that incorporate the newest technologies can offer safety solutions inside and outside the loading dock area on the drive approach. This combination of components uses motion detection, line-of-sight notification, and audible alarms to provide hazard recognition and communication to people on and off forklifts. Working in tandem, these safety tools help create a safer, more productive loading dock environment, both inside and outside, by helping keep people a step ahead of the potential dangers in their path. Outside the dock opening, from a fixed location above the dock door, a sensor detects the motion of
