Modern loading dock equipment can improve productivity and safety. One of the most crucial—and frequently the most hazardous—links in any supply chain is a loading dock. Semi-trucks, forklifts, pallet jacks, and robotic equipment all interact with human employees in these usually hectic workplaces.
Additionally, the number and speed of those contacts are rising in tandem with the e-commerce industry’s rapid expansion. It is understandable why shipping, receiving and material handling accounts for around 25% of all industrial accidents.
These accidents come at a great cost. According to the National Safety Council, occupational injuries in the US cost the economy almost $200 billon a year in lost productivity, worker’s compensation, product damage, and production or fulfillment delays.
On a positive note, facilities may prevent upwards of 70% of all reported incidents and related expenses by implementing appropriate safety measures. Purchasing the appropriate loading dock equipment and technologies can help lower these hazards and guarantee that workers get home safely at the end of the work day.
Improve Material Handling Productivity and Safety
With Updated Loading Dock Equipment
| Click On The Links Below To See Some of Custom Equipment Company’s Products For Loading Dock Material Handling and Distribution | |||
| ► Dock Equipment | ► Loading Dock Barrier Gates | ► Pit Mounted Dock Lifts | ► Stationary Dock Ramps |
| ► Loading Dock Lights | ► Redzone LED Warning Light | ► Dock Seals | ► Edge of Dock Levelers |
Activating Heavy Machinery with Automation By Simply Pressing a Button
Modern Loading Dock Equipment is heavy duty — and HEAVY — by any measure. Vehicle restraints must be able to lock in 18-wheel tractor trailer rigs and a wide range of other vehicle kinds and sizes, and dock levelers must be able to handle 10,000 lb. forklifts (without merchandise) passing across them into a semi-trailer hundreds of times a day. Manually moving either piece of equipment is hazardous and difficult.
The main feature of any loading dock are the levelers. In addition to their vital function as a link between the trailer bed and the dock interior, businesses should think about how they affect safety and ergonomics. Hydraulic loading dock levelers can operate with a push-button and can be integrated into a combined dock control system, eliminating the need for personnel to utilize a back-breaking pull-chain.
Levelers that provide a seamless transition from the facility floor to the leveler to the trailer and back are also better because forklift drivers who bounce across bad levelers may sustain chronic spinal injuries and other physical issues, in addition to breaking the products they are moving or damaging their forklifts.
Another essential element of any loading dock is vehicle restraints. Once a trailer centers and backs in, the first thing to do is secure the rear wheel or rear impact guard, depending on the application. This lessens the likelihood of disastrous trailer separation incidents. Workers can safely operate the equipment from within the building by using an interior control box to operate automatic vehicle restraints. It only takes a button push to engage them.
Safe Operation Sequence and Integrated Controls
Another significant advancement in modern loading dock equipment and safety has been the creation of programable controls and their connectivity. By programming these controls to only activate when the overhead dock door, loading dock leveler, dock barrier, and vehicle restraint are working in safe order, you avoid costly and potentially hazardous mishaps.
Since the overhead door and hydraulic leveler cannot be turn on until the vehicle restraint has successfully engaged the truck or wheel, this safe sequence of action starts with the vehicle restraint. The leveler can then lower into the trailer, the overhead door raises, and the safety barrier is out of the way.
Dock Lighting Communications
In today’s loading dock environment, red/green exterior and interior dock lights have become standard safety and communication tools. Furthermore, communication has never been greater thanks to extra sensor and LED technology.
A sensor outside the dock opening may identify when a tractor-trailer is backing into a dock position from a set position above the dock entrance. Dock workers and pedestrians in the drive approach get a warning of the looming hazard by a visual and auditory alarm that can integrate into the vehicle restraint or on its own. 
Because the sound of a cab’s loud engine, which can be heard from the back of the trailer, is frequently drowned out by background noise. This multiple sensory alert system is especially crucial.
When it senses the presence of a pedestrian or material handling equipment inside the trailer, additional motion-sensing technology within the dock area can illuminate the dock leveler with a bright blue light. This can be used in conjunction with the vehicle restraint to prevent the trailer from unlocking while there is motion inside it and to warn dock workers or forklift operators who enter an unsecured trailer. While the blue light strobes and an audible alarm warns the unwary dock worker they are in an unprotected trailer. the external light system turns red at the same time to tell the truck driver that there is movement within the trailer.
Security Cameras
Beyond LEDs, an external camera image of the vehicle restraint that is visible on the control box inside the dock can add another level of visual communication. This aids to keep personnel out of the way during the hazardous driving approach. Workers can also confirm the presence of the trailer stand at the trailer’s nose if it has a twin camera.
Another new invention is the loading dock timer. In order to help facilities avoid detention and delay charges on shipments that take too long to load or unload, the timer can be set up automatically to count up or down when the vehicle restraint secures a trailer to the facility.
Using Product Improvements to Protect Employees
As e-commerce has grown, shipping and receiving spaces have only gotten busier and more crowded. Thankfully, workers may remain safer and more productive at work with the use of loading dock safety and logistics equipment.
Many of the top loading dock systems are available as standalone options or as retrofits, giving facilities an incremental, cost-effective equipment integration option, even though cost may be an initial barrier to safety enhancements for some facilities. 
These solutions, which range from safety warning systems to interlocked equipment and push button operation, can enhance worker satisfaction, safety, and production for any dock operation.
Custom Equipment Company, empathizes with any Material Handling Shipping and Storage issues you may be experiencing. When using us as a supplier, please work closely with your CEC Customer Representative, to make certain your order is fulfilled in an expedient and efficient manner.
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