Justifying cost of ownership, minimizing damage, and preventing injury can help maximize loading dock value. The material handling sector, as with most businesses, is working its way out of the economic challenges of the past several years. To meet rising demand, some operations are building new distribution centers, adding to their existing facilities, or replacing equipment that has been used far beyond its life expectancy in an attempt to squeeze every last drop out of the company's capital investment.
As the filled orders go out and the quotes come in, it is a good idea to look beyond price and focus in on the issue of lower cost of ownership and increased safety. What will owning that piece of equipment cost the company beyond its purchase price? How will that investment pay off for the company? Will this make my employees more productive without sacrificing safety?
This consideration is especially true for loading dock equipment. Considering that this equipment handles five-ton forklifts making hundreds of trips a day, the loading dock experiences its share of maintenance problems.
Selecting the right equipment can lower maintenance and operating costs as well as increase safety and productivity for years to come.
Choosing the right dock equipment
Loading dock equipment includes dock levelers, dock boards, yard ramps, dock seals, safety rail, visual signaling, and floor markings. Levelers, and dock boards bridge the gap between the dock and the trailer. Choices include manual mechanical, pneumatic (air), electric hydraulic, and power-assisted.
Another valuable piece of dock loading equipment is vehicle restraint and visual signaling. This equipment is used to increase safety at the dock. Since the movement of trucks during loading and unloading can cause injuries or death, vehicle restraints and signaling are used to keep them in place.
Energy costs
With the high cost of energy these days it has become very important to reduce other parts of operating budget such as energy consumption. When a truck is at the dock, thousands of HVAC dollars can be lost if the gap between the trailer and the dock is not sealed properly. Dock seals are used to fill the gaps between the trailer and the dock door. This helps to prevent the leakage of air, which is the major cause of energy loss. Also, it improves the safety of material and helps prevent contamination of the stored material, which could occur due to air infiltration. There are different types of dock seals. Among them, inflatable seals are the most widely used. Another more economical alternative may be to install strip doors or vinyl curtain doors. Strip doors save you energy costs by reducing the amount of heated or cooled air lost through your unprotected door opening. Superior design features like rounded edges to prevent cutting and concaveness to promote tight sealing, assure maximum efficiency and safety.
Safety on the dock
Bumpers and dock guard barrier gates can stop a 10,000lb load moving at 4mph from smashing right into your dock door. For example having a guard barrier gate helps reduce the accidents resulting from lift trucks, pallet jacks, and pedestrians falling off the dock when the overhead door is open. Corner, wall, and beam protection are used to protect your machinery and employees from accidental damage or injury. Safety rails and floor markings delineate high-traffic areas within a facility and provide personnel protection around loading docks and other areas. Safety rails are available in many different designs such as end, corner, and interior. Floor markings are a very inexpensive way to tell an employee or visitor not to walk or stand in a certain area, or to separate specific areas of a dock.
Besides the above, there are several other types of loading dock equipment which includes lights, doors, lifts, and so on. There are several things that one should consider when buying loading dock equipment. Some of them are reputation of the manufacturer, cost of the equipment, specifications of the equipment, and its safety features. The most important specifications that should be checked are the weight bearing capacity and size of the equipment.
This equipment provides workers safe accessibility to the dock area. They facilitate loading and unloading of materials in the dock area. Moreover, they ensure safe movements of workers and goods. Ensure the safety of your workers operating heavy equipment in your warehouse and loading dock. There are many of equipment available that can save workers from fatal accidents. Keeping your employees and your product safe is first and foremost. The most import thing to think about when choosing your dock equipment.
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