Holistic approach to the loading bay
October 1st 2005

According to Sara Loading Bay Specialists, a combination of legislative requirements and demands for increased profits means that it is important to adopt a holistic approach to the demands placed on an industrial building.

As a result of this philosophy, it is not uncommon for a sara technical salesman to visit a client for many years before he supplies his first product.

More importantly, the sara technical salesman will continue to regularly visit the client, so optimum operational requirements are maintained.

For a bespoke solution that will optimise the efficiency of your operation, levellers, doors and dock seals must be designed to accommodate the full range of vehicles being used.

Consideration must be given to the apron of the building and what implication any yard gradients will have on the vehicle’s approach and its loads.

Excessive gradients can reduce battery life of materials handling equipment or make it difficult for operatives to manoeuvre, slowing down the turnaround of vehicles, increasing costs and reducing efficiency.

Safety on the loading bay relies on effective communication between the dock operator and vehicle driver. In order to achieve this sara can recommend a solution that will improve safety while considering the implications on your daily operations.

Sometimes, the simplest solutions cost very little. For example, many sara customers simply instruct their drivers to hook their keys onto the loading bay door. When the door opens, the keys are out of reach. The vehicle cannot move until the door is closed and the bay secure. No injuries, no damage, no theft, no cost - just common sense.

The interface of the delivery/despatch vehicle to the building is crucial to improve safety and environmental requirements.

Choosing the correct dock seal depends on vehicle types, size of loads, size of door opening, temperature requirements and vehicle approach. How many vehicles are not effectively sealed, thereby increasing the company’s energy costs?

Choosing the correct dock leveller depends on vehicles, vehicle loads and turnaround. sara can advise on mandatory requirements relating to European and British Standards.

sara also offers nationwide service using only in house engineers, fully trained and experienced in all aspects of industrial doors. The company has six depots throughout the UK, engineers equipped with fully stocked vehicles, a 24 hour call out operation and competitively priced maintenance contracts.

More articles from Sara LBS Limited: