Safety has always been a major concern when it comes to loading bays, but 2016 has seen a number of new product launches and improvements, which have been designed to minimise hazards and prevent future accidents. Leading door manufacturer, Hörmann, has remained at the forefront of safety innovation and it’s new awardwinning products are set to have to major impact on loading bay safety in 2017.
This year, Hörmann launched its first UK Wheelblocker – a new piece of safety equipment that locks lorries into the loading bay. The product was designed after the Health and Safety Executive revealed that 15% of all workplace transport injuries happen during the unloading and loading process, particularly when a vehicle accidentally leaves the loading bay too early.
However, Hörmann’s MWB Wheel-Blocking system allows loading bay workers to manually lock lorries and trailers into place so that they can’t move until the process is complete. A rotating arm lock, fold-out support pedestal and operating lever detect the working position of the wheels and an advanced LED sensor flashes green once the vehicle has been secured. The status of the lorry is then displayed in the hall along with a key switch that provides an override function for swap containers.
Commenting on the product launch, Hörmann’s UK Marketing Manager, David O’Mara, said: “As loading bay specialists, we understand the hazards that are present during the loading process, and we’re committed to reducing them by creating innovative safety features, such as the Wheelblocker. It’s a vital product for any warehouse and we hope to see a dramatic reduction in loading bay accidents as a result of introducing it to the UK market.”
Hörmann’s efforts to improve safety haven’t gone unrecognised. The company recently won the Design4Safety award for its Safety Light Grille, which has been designed to eliminate hazards when passing under spiral and high speed doors. The noncontact safety device, which is incorporated into the door frame, uses light beams to constantly monitor the door opening. If the beams are broken, the door will stop moving to prevent any impact damage.
However, it’s not just product innovation that’s helping to improve loading bay safety. Hörmann has also invested in training this year to ensure that its products are properly installed, maintained and serviced. As well as working directly with end customers, Hörmann trains its network of trade partners on all technical aspects, from specification and fitting to maintenance and repair. In addition to this, the company is also hosting a variety of training sessions and seminars at the UK headquarters as well as the Hörmann Forum, a new training and exhibition centre in Germany.
The maintenance packages are varied to suit a different needs.The “premium plus” package, for instance, includes expert training from Hörmann’s team so that inhouse engineers are able to undertake basic maintenance, minimising the need for costly call outs. As well as providing competitive maintenance contracts on all Hörmann products, the company is now offering to service any brand of industrial door or loading bay as part of its flexible packages. Round the clock call outs are also available for emergency maintenance and customers can even enjoy a discount of up to 10 per cent on Hörmann replacement parts and labour.
The changes and new product launches mean that 2016 has been a successful year for Hörmann. The manufacturer has continued to work with some of the country’s biggest businesses, such as Asda and Amazon. Hörmann’s loading bay equipment was also selected for the DP World London Gateway Port and Logistics Park due to its adaptability. With cargo being off-loaded from the container ships onto cassette trailers rather than lorries, the site required modified loading bays that could cater for these unique circumstances.
Having worked predominantly on largescale big shed or distribution centre projects, Hörmann is also now becoming more involved in smaller loading bay sites. This shift in demand has come about following the growth of e-commerce and changing shopping habits, forcing retailers to develop new ways to satisfy consumer needs.
2017 is, therefore, already shaping up to be a busy year and Hörmann’s commitment to expand it’s UK product portfolio next year is sure to see more product developments and improvements in the pipeline.
HÖRMANN (UK) LTD
01530 513000
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