Dock levelers are incredibly useful for so many commercial spaces who are needing to bridge the gap between their warehouse floor and the trucks they load and unload every day.

The benefits of using a dock leveler are vast. The added efficiency of your work operation and decreased physical strain on your employees is vital. A dock level allows you to load and unload your trucks in less time with less energy expenditure. Sounds like a win-win!

As with any sort of power equipment, you must be cautious with use following all safety guidelines. Below we will go over a few tips for using a dock leveler safely to ensure you get the most use out of your dock leveler in Ohio.

Understand The Manufacturers Guide

All operators of your dock leveler should have the opportunity to read and understand the manufacturer’s guide. They should become accustomed to the dock leveler and its control before operating it.  

Beware the Potential Hazards

Disregarding the manufacturer’s guide, not following safety protocol, or even one small slip-up could lead to serious accidents. It is important to be aware of hazards that come with operating a dock leveler. An accident could result in:

  • Crushing
  • Shearing
  • High-pressure fluid ejection 
  • Loss of stability
  • Slip, trip and fall 
  • Electrical contact
  • Failure, malfunction of control system

 Employ an Experienced Operator

Be sure your employees who will be operating a dock leveler have the appropriate training and experience. This means a person who, in accordance with his training and experience, has sufficient knowledge in the field of dock levelers and is sufficiently familiar with relevant regulations to be able to assess the safe condition of operating dock levelers.

Practice Safe Operating Procedures

In order to avoid dangerous accidents or hazardous situations, a dock leveler operator should always follow safe operating procedures. This could include the following:

  • Only authorized personnel should operate or be in the operating area. 
  • Make sure that the operating area is free from any foreign objects that could cause an accident. 
  • Keep away from the dock leveler when a trailer is approaching or leaving the loading bay area. 
  • Avoid placing hands touching near any moving parts. 
  • Refrain from using a damaged dock leveler.
  • Avoid overloading the dock leveler. 
  • Do not leave any device or object unattended on the dock leveler

Keep on top of Maintenance

Dock levelers need to be properly maintained in order to operate in a safe fashion. This includes checking for signs of wear and tear or corrosion. Many insurance companies require dock levelers to be serviced yearly or on some sort of regular basis. 

Our team of Dock level technicians has years of experience keeping dock levelers in tip-top shape. 

Dock Leveler Installation In Ohio

For competent dock leveler installation, repair, and maintenance contact our team of technicians at Springfield Overhead Door. We are experienced in helping commercial spaces get the best and safest use out of their dock levelers.