Accidents can happen anywhere, but the loading bay is potentially a particularly risky area of the warehouse. One danger is the slip hazard that can be caused by ill-fitting canopy seals letting water into the loading bay. Another is trailers tipping forward when they are uncoupled from the tractor unit if too much weight is placed towards the front of the trailer. Goods loaded on wheeled equipment can roll out of the vehicle if there is a steep incline on the dock or within the trailer. If the vehicle is jolted by loading equipment vehicle creep can occur, widening the gap between the bay and the vehicle which may result in goods falling off.
This article was first published in the September 1st 2020 issue of Warehouse & Logistics News, subscribe to the magazine by clicking here.
As lockdown restrictions begin to ease, production companies across the country could find that customer demand increases at pace to compensate for the Covid-19 business shortfall. Equally, logistics enterprises playing ‘catch up’ in terms of dispatch and delivery might find an upscale in orders necessitates more enabling changes to be made in the loading environment. Thorworld Industries’ Rent-a-Ramp solutions can help bridge any busy period in the loading bay, either on a short- or long-term basis. Standard, Deluxe and Super Deluxe ramps are all available within the rental programme, with weight capacities ranging from 6,000 to 15,000kg.
Hörmann UK supplied 44 loading bays, including both standard and double deck docks, to Panattoni Park Luton, 414,000 sq ft of prime logistics and manufacturing warehousing space on the Southern M1. Ten of Hörmann UK’s level access doors, 20 fire exit doors and a range of additional safety devices have also been installed across the two warehouses.
The Brakes group was able to both save money and reduce energy use in their chilled warehouse, by adding loading bay equipment from Assa Abloy Entrance Systems to their docking bays. High speed doors were fitted behind the sectional doors on the level access doors. The fast-acting fabric high seed doors allow the frequent access of fork lift trucks into the building during the day, keeping energy losses to a minimum. At night the sectional doors are closed, optimising insulation.
Transdek has developed bespoke loading bay solutions for DFS Group, the UK’s leading sofa retail specialist, to enhance efficiency and safety at the retailer’s Glasgow and Edinburgh regional Customer Distribution Centres. The project has enabled DFS to streamline its handling processes and reduce the risk to colleagues for unloading from height. As a cost-effective alternative to the original plan to fit dock lifts at each warehouse door, Transdek designed a bespoke modular loading lobby for each site, which allows DFS to wheel products directly on and off goods vehicles. Dock levellers and dock shelters were integrated in to the docking area to facilitate a seamless product flow.
One hopes warehouse operators continue to maintain the highest standards of safety in the loading bay to protect the wellbeing of staff and customers.
George Simpson
Features Editor
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