Safety and reliability are key when performing daily warehouse operations, so dock equipment maintenance is crucial. Levellers, seals, bumpers, and truck restraints are all essential pieces of dock equipment that must be looked after. Here are some tips for dock equipment repair and maintenance to keep your warehouse operations running smoothly and safely.

Benefits of Dock Equipment Maintenance and Repair

Maintaining your dock equipment has several benefits for your business.

• Increase safety. Most importantly, maintenance makes your warehouse a safer place to work for your employees. About one-quarter of all warehouse injuries occur at the loading dock, a high-traffic area with many moving pieces of heavy equipment. Neglecting upkeep of this equipment can lead to injuries or fatalities and have a devastating impact on the company.

• Minimize downtime. Loading docks serve an essential function in a warehouse workflow. When something goes wrong at a loading dock, the ripple effect is felt throughout the entire supply chain. Faulty equipment can result in costly delays and downtime.

• Increase efficiency. Even if your dock equipment is functioning, regular maintenance could make your equipment work faster, increasing the efficiency of the entire operation.

Regular maintenance can identify damaged parts and minor issues before they result in costly repairs, replacements, and liability. Over the long term, it can save your business a lot of money.

Loading Dock Maintenance Checklist

Here’s a list of equipment to check to ensure your loading dock is safe and working efficiently.

• Truck restraints. Truck restraints, also known as trailer or vehicle restraints, fasten semi-trucks to the building during loading and unloading. The restraints prevent a truck driver from inadvertently driving away while a forklift is working in the back. They’re often used in tandem with wheel restraints, or wheel chocks, which are tapered blocks wedged in front of the wheels to prevent movement.

• Dock levellers. A dock leveller, or dock plate, is a bridge that covers the gap between the loading dock and the truck. It protects people, products, and equipment from falls. Here’s more information on the warning signs that your dock leveller needs repair.

• Warning light systems. Traffic lights are an effective safety communication tool in warehouse loading docks. The lights flash red or green to indicate whether it’s safe for drivers to proceed. Ensure these lights work properly and are visible.

• Fall protection equipment. Handrails, fences, barriers, chains, and gates control human and vehicle traffic. These items must be inspected periodically for rust, cracks, and stability.

• Dock bumpers. Bumpers are made of soft but durable material that prevents collisions between trucks and the building. They can absorb up to 95 per cent of the impact of a backing truck colliding with a dock. Ensure all bumpers are in their correct location and fastened securely.

• Dock seals. Dock seals protect workers and equipment from extreme weather by forming a tight seal between the loading dock and the truck. Seals can quickly get worn down in loading docks with heavy traffic. You can reduce wear and tear by adding replaceable reinforcement boots and friction-resistant fabric.

There are many warehouse loading dock and door repairs that we can assist with. If you notice broken or rusting parts, strange noises, or malfunctioning equipment, book a dock equipment repair with a professional technician right away. Ignoring relatively minor issues can lead to expensive repairs and downtime down the road.

Commercial Planned Maintenance Program

The best way to prolong the life of your warehouse’s loading dock and commercial doors is regular maintenance. Creative Door Services™ offers a planned maintenance program whereby a technician will periodically visit your facility to inspect your dock equipment and doors. They'll ensure it’s in good working condition and make any necessary repairs.

Preventative maintenance helps reduce downtime, increase safety, and improve productivity. The best part is that you don’t have to keep track of maintenance schedules — we do it for you.

Warehouse Loading Dock Equipment and Commercial Doors in Western Canada

Creative Door Services™ is your one-stop shop for shipping dock repairs. Our technicians are trained in warehouse and dock equipment maintenance and have the best tools for the job. We also have a massive parts inventory at our disposal, so we can get your parts quickly and minimize downtime. Plus, we have an extensive range of safe, reliable, durable loading dock overhead commercial doors for commercial applications, and our team can install them for you.

You can find us in Kelowna, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba. To learn more or request a free quote, contact us today!