A loading dock is typically an elevated opening (or openings) in a building’s sidewall where shipments are sorted and staged for loading and unloading of trailers, shipping containers or rail cars. To make that area more accessible and safe during the movement of goods, loading dock equipment and attachments are used. Because the shipping and receiving process requires personnel to conduct loading and unloading processes, dock equipment is designed to ensure the safety of both the workers and the loads as they enter and exit the trailer. Typical equipment includes attachments that secure and bridge the gap between the vehicle and the dock, lighting to illuminate the inside of the trailer, building-to-vehicle communication systems and weather protection.
There are several types of dock equipment. These include:
Security: To secure the trailer, shipping container or rail car to the dock face, or outside wall of the dock door area, and ensure that it does not roll or shift away, a variety of devices are employed. These include:
Gap bridging: To properly align the floor of the dock and the floor of the trailer, shipping container, or railcar or to close any space between the two a variety of devices are used to adjust the elevation of the vehicle and bridge the gap. These include:
Lighting: Lights are often used at the dock to both illuminate the work area, as well as to facilitate communication between personnel at the dock and a truck driver. Types include:
Weather protection: For dock areas that are exposed to the elements, a variety of devices are used to protect workers and surfaces from rain, snow, ice, heat and humidity. These include:
Dock equipment is used at the point where a trailer, shipping container, or railcar is loaded or unloaded.
Dock equipment provides a variety of benefits:
Dock equipment can be found in facilities in nearly every industry, including:
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