Improving the Safety and Efficiency of Your Loading Dock
Dock Equipment
Because shipping and receiving requires personnel for trailer loading and unloading, dock equipment ensures the safety of both workers and loads.
A dock leveler can be raised and lowered to accommodate varying trailer floor heights.
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:
- Dock bumpers - Pieces of rubber located at the floor level of a dock opening to cushion the building from truck trailer impact.
- Chocks (also called wheel chocks - Triangular blocks of rubber, wood or metal placed in front of, between or behind truck wheels to prevent trailer movement.
- Trailer restraint - Mechanical or hydraulic devices attached to the dock face that connect to the trailer to prevent its movement.
- Trailer jack – A device used to support the vehicle end of an over-the-road trailer when the vehicle departs, leaving the trailer behind for extended loading or unloading.
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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:
- Dock board or dock plate- A portable plate that can be placed manually or with a lift truck.
- Dock ramp or yard ramp – A portable metal ramp with curbs and wheels attached, pushed into position at the rear of a truck or side of a railcar to provide a bridge down to ground level for personnel or lift trucks to use in loading and unloading. The longer the ramp, the less steep the angle to be climbed.
- Dock leveler or edge-of-dock leveler - A manually, hydraulically air or electrically operated plate, located at the dock entrance, that can be raised and lowered to accommodate varying trailer floor heights.
- Dock lift – A fixed lift whose travel is generally 5 feet or less that is used to load/unload material from trucks and transfer it to dock or ground elevation. For loading and unloading trailers when no direct access to the building is available, a movable device can be used instead. These portable dock platforms use a scissor lift mechanism to lift the surface up to the level of the trailer. This allows personnel and handling equipment to ride up to the trailer and back down to ground level with loads.
- Hinged bridge - A hinged transition plate attached to the edge of the dock platform that unfolds to reach the truck bed.
- Conveyor – In certain facilities, trailers can be loaded or unloaded from a conveyor line in a fluid load process.
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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:
- Communication lights – Similar to traffic signals, these two- or three-light devices operate in pairs. The exterior light station signals to the truck driver when it is safe to dock the vehicle or depart from the dock. The interior light station notifies warehouse personnel that a vehicle is present at the dock face.
- Illumination lighting – Because dock areas are often utilized at night, dock lights are used to illuminate the work area, as well as to bring light into the trailer, shipping container or railcar to help personnel do their jobs safely.
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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:
- Loading dock door – Similar to a residential garage door, these retractable doors can be made of panels or curtains to control ambient temperature and humidity inside the building. They can be opened manually or automatically when a trailer is secured to the dock face.
- Dock seal or weather seal - A rubber or canvas covered pad or drape that extends a few inches out from a dock face to seal the gap between the dock and the trailer’s entrance.
- Dock shelter - A cover that can be extended to protect the opening between the door of a rail car or truck and a warehouse from inclement weather.
Dock equipment is used at the point where a trailer, shipping container or railcar is loaded or unloaded.
- Shipping: At the dock faces where outbound shipments leave the facility
- Receiving: At the dock faces where inbound shipments arrive at a facility
- Yard: If a building has no elevated dock openings, or if all dock openings are occupied by other vehicles, loading and unloading can be accomplished in the yard
Dock equipment provides a variety of benefits:
- Communication: Lighting that indicates and directs truck drivers and warehouse personnel that it is safe to park, enter or exit a trailer
- Illumination: Lighting that extends into the trailer to help warehouse personnel as they load or unload contents
- Loading and unloading: Providing safe access by bridging the gap between the dock face and trailer, shipping container or railcar
- Safety: Preventing personnel or loads from tripping or falling through any gap between the trailer, shipping container or railcar and the dock face
- Security: Securing the transport vehicle to the building to prevent movement until the loading or unloading process is complete
- Weather protection: Protecting personnel and loads from inclement weather
Dock equipment can be found in facilities in nearly every industry, including:
- Aerospace
- Appliance
- Automotive
- Beverage
- Chemicals
- Construction
- Consumer goods
- E-Commerce
- Food
- Hardware
- Hospital
- Manufacturing
- Materials processing
- Paper
- Pharmaceutical
- Plastics
- Retail
- Warehousing and distribution
Read more about how Dock Equipment is used in different industries and applications. Case studies detailing the use of Dock Lifts can be found here.
ANSI MH30.1-2022 Design, Testing, and Utilization of Dock Leveling Devices, (a revision of ANSI MH30.1-2015)
The purpose of this standard is to serve as the guide for designers, manufacturers, sellers, installers, owners, users, and governing bodies of dock leveling devices and to achieve the following objectives:
- to provide guidelines for the design and testing of dock leveling devices;
- to promote the understanding of the respective responsibilities of manufacturers, sellers, installers, designers, owners, users, and governing bodies associated with dock leveling devices; and
- to provide a uniform means of comparison for dock leveling devices.
A dock leveling device is a manufactured structure designed to span and compensate for space and height differentials between a loading dock and a transport vehicle to facilitate freight transfers in an effective and efficient manner. The three types of dock leveling devices within the scope of this standard are described in the following paragraphs.
- dock-face mounted type: A dock-face mounted dock leveling device is permanently affixed to the face of a dock. Also known as edge of dock (EOD) levelers.
- fixed type: A fixed dock leveling device is affixed to the dock structure and usually incorporates a mechanism to aid in positioning the leveling device with respect to a transport vehicle. Fixed types include both horizontal and vertical storing levelers.
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rail dock leveling device: A rail dock leveling device is a manufactured structure designed to span and compensate for space and height differences between a rail car loading dock and a rail car to facilitate effective and efficient freight transfer or passage.
- fixed type: a structure designed for stationary mounting to the dock, located at either the dock face or recessed into a pit. Placement of the bridging structure into a working or stored position will usually be aided by a mechanism incorporated into the design.
- sliding type: a structure designed to be permanently mounted to a dock face with a mounting assembly that allows for lateral movement of the bridging structure parallel to the dock face. Placement of the bridging structure, either laterally along the dock or into the stored or working position, may be manual or with a mechanism designed to aid in such positioning.
Performance and testing requirements for portable dock leveling devices are provided in ANSI MH30.2 2022.
ANSI MH30.2-2022 Design, Testing, and Utilization of Portable Dock Leveling Devices, (a revision of ANSI MH30.2-2015)
This standard defines performance and testing requirements for the design, use, and maintenance of portable dock boards and dock plates, collectively known as portable dock leveling devices. The purpose of this standard is to provide a uniform means of comparison, improve user confidence and knowledge, and to define product requirements for portable dock leveling devices.
A dock leveling device is a manufactured structure designed to span and compensate for height differentials between a stationary loading dock and a movable transport vehicle to facilitate effective and efficient freight transfers. Dock leveling devices may be either built-in or portable. Dock leveling devices are designed to be capable of withstanding typical loads imposed by material handling equipment.
A portable dock leveling device is not permanently affixed to either the transport vehicle or the dock structure. It is capable of being moved from one location to another by manual effort or by independently powered equipment. Portable dock leveling devices are commonly referred to as dock boards or dock plates. Dock boards are typically designed to be capable of withstanding heavy-duty loads imposed by material handling equipment, while dock plates are typically used in lighter-duty hand loading or hand truck loading applications.
Performance and testing requirements for built-in dock leveling devices are provided in ANSI MH30.1-2022.
ANSI MH30.3-2022 Design, Testing, and Utilization of Vehicle Restraining Devices, (a revision of ANSI MH30.3-2015)
This standard defines performance and testing requirements with regard to design, use, and maintenance of vehicle restraining devices. The purpose of this standard is to provide a uniform means of comparison, to improve user confidence and knowledge, and to define requirements for vehicle restraining devices.
A vehicle restraining device is a manufactured structure designed to interface between a loading dock and a transport vehicle. It is intended to facilitate effective and efficient freight transfers by limiting vehicle motion and preventing unanticipated departure or vehicle creep. Vehicle restraining devices commonly incorporate a communication light system between the dock worker on the inside of the building and the transport vehicle driver on the outside. The two types of vehicle restraining devices within the scope of this standard are described below.
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rear impact guard (RIG) type: this is the most common type of vehicle restraint. It is a vehicle restraint that engages the RIG of a transport vehicle, inhibiting uncontrolled separation of the vehicle from the dock face;
· NOTE – these are also known as “ICC bar restraints.” - wheel dependent type: A vehicle restraint that engages one or more wheels of a transport vehicle, inhibiting uncontrolled separation of the vehicle from the dock face.
Vehicle restraining devices are further classified according to manual vs. powered operations:
- manually operated: a vehicle restraining device that is both engaged and released manually;
- power operated: a vehicle restraining device that is both engaged and released through a powered means, either with a push-button or automatic operation.
ANSI MH30.1, ANSI MH30.2, ANSI MH30.3 Bundle
Package includes all three of the LODEM standards at a discount:
- ANSI MH30.1-2022;
- ANSI MH30.2-2022; and
- ANSI MH30.3-2022.
Loading Dock Accessory Products 101
Loading docks are an integral part of many commercial and industrial operations. Selecting proper equipment in the loading dock can be key to the successful operation of any facility. This document outlines the considerations and capabilities of various accessory products and can be deployed in a loading dock environment to help improve safety, operational efficiency, and asset protection.
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Why Should I Care About Vehicle Restraints?
Anyone who works near a loading dock is familiar with how busy, and potentially hazardous the
environment around loading and unloading can be. From trailer creep to trailer up-ending, these
financial and time-costing accidents can be better avoided with the addition of one piece of equipment:
a vehicle restraint.
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Loading Dock Compliance Considerations with New OSHA Rule 29 CFR 1910.26
In January 2017, a series of rules and regulations promulgated by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) pertaining to walking-working surfaces and fall protection standards were enacted. The new rules impose new requirements on employers who operate loading docks to either equip dockboards with run-off guards or to demonstrate that there is no hazard of transfer vehicles from running off the dockboard edge.
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Precautionary Label Brochure for Dock Levelers
The purpose of this publication is to provide voluntary guidelines for the selection and application of safety labels for use on loading dock levelers. This is a voluntary guide and should be incorporated into a comprehensive safety program by owners of loading dock levelers.
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Dock Planning 101
A properly designed dock area can be a huge contributor in productivity or a complete bottleneck for material flow if not given the time it deserves. This guide was created to assist in the basic design of the loading dock and introduce the reader to fundamental concepts of dock design.
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Dock Seals & Shelters 101
What You Always Wanted to Know About Dock Seals and Shelters But Were Afraid to Ask.
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What You Always Wanted to Know About Dock Levelers
A basic primer which answers the most frequently asked questions from entities considering the purchase of a dock leveling device.
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What You Always Wanted to Know About Vehicle Restraints
Nicole Carvagno, University of Tennessee - Knoxville
The 2023 LODEM Honor Scholarship ($2,000) has been awarded to Nicole Carvagno, a senior Supply Chain Management student at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Nicole is minoring in International Business and Sustainability. She has completed three internships where she gained experience in tracking inventories, creating systems for procuring product, and studying patterns to determine reduced costs in transportation. Nicole plans to enter the workforce after graduation and eventually earn an MBA.
Kathryn Sloan, Virginia Tech
The 2023 James Galante Memorial Scholarship ($3,700) sponsored by EASE, LIFT and LODEM has been awarded to Kathryn Sloan, a senior Industrial Engineering student at Virginia Tech. She is active with the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) and the Female Engineering Mentorship Program at her school. She has interned at a box manufacturing plant where she worked on the plant floor and analyzed data. After graduation, Kathryn would like to enter the workforce and then work on a master’s degree.
The Loading Dock Equipment Manufacturers (LODEM) members are the Industry's leading suppliers of loading dock equipment. They supply solutions worldwide and in virtually every major manufacturing and distribution sector.
Equipment used to make the loading dock area of a facility more accessible and to provide safe movement of goods in that dock area. Loading dock equipment includes elevating docks, dock levelers, dock boards, dock lights, bumpers, seals, shelters, vehicle restraints and traffic doors.
Mission
To promote market growth and safe use through the development of standards, best practices, and market intelligence, consistent with the best
interest of the user in the loading dock and accessory products industry.
Vision
To be the recognized independent authority for loading dock equipment and safety best practices.
LODEM members meet regularly to review, discuss and revise the standards for design, performance and proper operation of loading dock equipment.
LODEM Programs Include:
- The development and promotion of standard nomenclature.
- The development and promotion of guides and training materials for equipment operations, personnel safety, etc.
- The collection and dissemination of reliable industry statistics.
- The preparation and distribution of educational and promotional materials as to the benefits of LODEM solutions.
- The establishment of liaison and cooperation with private and governmental groups establishing standards and/or safety codes which are pertinent to this technology.
LODEM Managing Executive
Jayesh Mehta
jmehta[at]mhi[dot]org
704-676-1190
Leadership
Chairman
Gerard Biasutto
Blue Giant
Vice Chairman
Brett Lindstrom
Systems, LLC
