If your dock leveler is making a weird noise or if the lip won’t extend fully, you need to have it serviced. Lead time for a new dock leveler can be several weeks and even months in some cases, so it’s critical to address and repair dock leveler issues before they turn into problems that can’t be repaired.

Read on to learn about:

• Six dock leveler problems you shouldn’t ignore
• Dock leveler troubleshooting
• How often do dock levelers need service?
• When to repair vs. replace a dock leveler

If you’ve ever driven through a busy parking lot, you know what chaos looks like. While you troll the aisles looking for a place to park, hazards surround you. Distracted shoppers wander the road with their noses stuck in their phones. Cars back out of spots without looking. Shopping carts clog up parking spaces. And traffic jockeys for the right-of-way with no clear direction from signs or lights. 

These conditions would be a nightmare on a loading dock. Yet, without proper engineering controls, a loading dock and a busy parking lot have much in common. So it’s no wonder 25% of all warehouse injuries take place on the loading dock. And for every accident, there are hundreds of close calls. 

With trailer restraints, you can prevent these accidents. Smart hook trailer dock locks can save your company millions in time, money, and human misery.

 

Sealing systems such as dock seals and shelters are a relatively low-cost investment that offer significant benefits in energy cost savings and loading dock safety. By enclosing the gap between the trailer and the dock door, parked trailers become secure, climate-controlled extensions of your facility. The right sealing system prevents outside weather (heat, cold, rain/snow) from entering your facility and damaging cargo. In addition to reducing heating and cooling costs, you maintain a clean, dry dock area and reduce the chance of a slip-and-fall accident. An enclosed dock area also means pests and vermin stay outside where they belong.

Learn more about the different options for loading dock sealing systems:

Loading dock managers are relentless workers. They strive to meet ever-growing productivity targets and minimize downtime, invest in new material handling equipment, and hire more personnel. Their crew adheres to an aggressive loading and unloading schedule.

While productivity is top of mind, safety at the loading dock is often an afterthought. Managers are pressed into cutting corners with safety and overlook hazardous situations. But that doesn't have to be the reality for your loading dock.

The loading area between the truck and the warehouse is one of the most hazardous areas for forklift operators and warehouse employees. Thousands of workers are injured or killed each year due to trailer creep, premature truck departures and sloppy placement. 

It’s a sad fact that safety measures aren’t considered until after a serious accident occurs. Many loading dock accidents can be prevented with a simple dock lock, also known as a vehicle restraint. A dock lock is inexpensive protection against a worst-case scenario, such as a forklift falling off the dock. It takes up very little space, and you may be able to get a discount on your insurance for being proactive about loading dock safety.

Dock levelers and edge of docks are used to bridge the gap between a truck trailer and the warehouse dock. Typically, there is an 8-10 inch gap between the edge of the dock and the trailer due to rubber or steel bumpers used to protect the dock from potential damage from trucks.

In order to load or unload a trailer, the warehouse needs a bridge to drive a forklift, pallet jack, or other material handling equipment over the gap. This is where a dock leveler (aka pit leveler) or edge-of-docks comes into play.

Loading docks are a hub of activity. Forklift accidents can happen anywhere, but weather, moving trucks and other factors make loading docks one of the more hazardous areas for forklifts.

Common forklift accidents on loading docks include:

The lift truck falling off the edge of the dock
Employees being struck by a forklift
Skidding or slipping due to wet or icy conditions
Trailer separation (the truck pulls away with a forklift still inside)