Loading bays can make or break some distribution businesses, especially those concerned with time- sensitive products like fresh, refrigerated food. Such operations, in particular, need dock levellers to be specified correctly for the traffic so that the kit quality is up to the job. Problems can also emerge at the design stage if the loading bay has been poorly designed, leading to costly redesign later. Over time businesses change so anticipating the future, while difficult, is important.
To avoid being compromised, loading bay operators should build in flexibility so that their dock levellers can cope with not just volume changes but also load weights caused by a change in handling techniques. Deciding, for example, to change from loading lorries with one pallet at a time to two pallets could easily lead to repeated leveller failures and so seriously disrupt delivery schedules, as one national fresh grocery distributor found. The problem was only solved when the grocery distributor reverted to good quality levellers from Sara LBS, that had been giving faultless service since the 1990s.
Accidents can be another source of loading bay throughput delays. The worst kind, perhaps, is premature lorry departure, leading to forklifts plunging over the dock edge to kill or seriously maim. Over the years, many safety devices like wheel locks and traffic light systems have been developed and even now the technology is changing. A good example is the Traka Dock Management system iFob technology, who have joined forces with Castell to create Docksafe. Installed by Easilift Loading Systems, DockSafe isolates trailers for enhanced safety to control access, improve security and build a full activity audit trail for traceability and accountability. It provides a high level of data on driver activity and bay usage and its advantage over existing trailer isolation systems is the flexibility provided by the iFob. As such, it marks an advance in technology that makes it possible to introduce features impossible even five years ago.
While these technical safety advances are welcome there is nothing to match the need for employee training, which is key to reducing the danger to pedestrians, given that two thirds of forklift accident victims were not driving at the time, according to HSE statistics. Backing up a robust training scheme are simple and inexpensive controls like floor markings and barriers which further cut risk by segregating pedestrians and trucks. Other simple measures for consideration include enforcing truck speed limits near pedestrians, prohibited use of mobile phones and personal stereos, and waiting areas for lorry drivers to use during loading/unloading.
Other safety risks are less obvious like the risks from dangerous fumes, especially pertinent to loading bays where trucks may operate in confined lorry spaces. Diesel powered trucks should be avoided in favour of LPG if sustained oomph is necessary, or electric which is the cleanest and almost silent. Failing that, then diesel trucks should at least be fitted with catalytic converters and soot filters. Both electric and LPG, however, are not risk-free. In LPG engines, poor ventilation or servicing may create toxic carbon monoxide so LPG engines should only be serviced by LPG-trained engineers in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations.
In pursuit of ‘green’ issues like reducing the carbon foot print, many loading bays adopt fast-acting roller doors to keep warmth in and pests out but this could work against personnel’s interests unless there are adequate fans and extraction units. Dangerously high levels of fumes can cause illness, unconsciousness and even death. Again, looking to the future, loading bay operators should remember that they could be faced with lawsuits for serious health issues from retirees caused by long-term exposure to diesel fumes. Don’t let the past return to haunt you.
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