Loading bays are busy places. People, vehicles and machinery are constantly moving and the risk of injury, property damage or disruption to the supply chain is high. In fact, it’s estimated that 25% of industrial accidents occur in loading bays – and for every incident, there are around 600 close calls.
Identify the risks
Any loading bay is a high-risk environment, but when workers are busy or fatigued, wearing hearing protection or facing language barriers, the potential for human error and accidents increases.
A vehicle pulling away from the dock prematurely due to miscommunication or lack of understanding can have potentially fatal consequences for forklift operators or others working nearby. And when trailers are not restrained properly, vehicle creep can occur causing gaps to appear between a trailer bed and the loading bay. Vehicles can also roll backwards and tilt sideways leaving those working between them vulnerable to becoming trapped and crushed.
To prevent these issues, vehicle restraint systems, such as the automatic DE6290AR or the manual DE6190MR from ASSA ABLOY, lock the vehicle’s wheels in place, preventing unplanned movement.
Preventing vehicle creep and drive off
The physical restraint combined with enhanced traffic lights sequencing and visibility minimises the risk of drive offs. The restraint system also acts as a parking guide whilst reversing onto the loading bay, to help correct alignment and positioning. Once the trailer is in the right place, the automatic system is remotely activated from within the building or the manual system is pushed into position, triggering a precision-timed restraining arm which blocks the rear wheels from any forward motion. The two-way interlocking system means the dock doors cannot be opened before the wheel restraint is engaged. Once loading or unloading is complete the blocking arm can only be disengaged once the dock door is closed and operatives are safe from any trailer movements. The intelligent blocking arm activation makes the system suitable for a wide range of trucks, including those with a wheel at the very rear. The retractable blocking arm tucks neatly into the restraint when not in use, preventing damage to truck wheels or tail lifts, additionally, a sensor can be added for vehicles with mud flaps.
The restraint systems can be used on their own or combined with optional equipment such as, the combined Dock-IN traffic lights solution, or control panel mounted camera system which provides visibility of the yard and improves safety for yard operatives.
The benefits of enhanced safety
The ASSA ABLOY system offers multiple benefits over traditional approaches to restraining vehicles such as wheel chocks, which are less effective in slippery conditions and offer a limited restraining force. Implementing the right restraint system in loading bays enhances safety by protecting operatives from unexpected trailer movements, boosting their confidence during loading and unloading. Although loading bays inherently carry risks, a proper restraint system can significantly reduce these hazards, creating a more secure and efficient environment that protects employees, assets, and the company’s bottom line.
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