Loading Dock & Door Maintenance Frequency
As the primary area to move product in and out of the warehouse, your loading dock equipment is heavily used throughout the month. Like your forklifts, a regular maintenance schedule will help keep your loading dock equipment working efficiently and safely.
The frequency of loading dock equipment maintenance typically ranges from every 90 to 180 days, depending on your company’s traffic levels. When setting a schedule, consider how often the dock is used daily. Each inspection takes about 1 hour per dock position, and equipment must remain inactive during service for safety reasons. To ensure safety, it’s a good practice to place clear signage and safety cones around the work area, both inside and outside the warehouse, to alert employees of ongoing maintenance.
Planned Maintenance Inspection
Three primary areas are inspected during loading dock equipment maintenance: dock leveler, dock door and vehicle restraint. After inspection, these areas are then tested to confirm the equipment meets standards.
Dock Leveler
Your dock leveler serves as a bridge between the warehouse and the trailer, and is exposed to various elements, making it a fire hazard as dirt and debris accumulate. With several moving parts, its performance and safety can be compromised. A thorough front-to-back inspection beneath the leveler is crucial for identifying broken or worn components.
Dock leveler failures can jeopardize employee safety, as workers manually adjusting a misaligned leveler may get pinched, or forklift operators could get stuck between the dock and trailer.
Key areas inspected: pit, dock bumpers, hinges, lip spools & pins, welds, cylinders, springs and ramp control.
Dock Door
The dock door acts as a critical barrier, sealing off the warehouse from the outside. If the door doesn’t lock or latch properly, it leaves the warehouse vulnerable to theft and forces employees to use unsafe methods, like propping it open with brooms or screwdrivers. Additionally, employees may experience muscle strain from manually opening and closing the door if it's not functioning correctly.
Key areas inspected: door jambs & headers, guides, tracks, seals, locks, control box, wiring, springs and cables.
Vehicle Restraint
A vehicle restraint is used to connect and secure the trailer to the loading dock. The restraint prevents vehicles being loaded or unloaded from pulling away from the loading dock or making an unscheduled departure. Light communication may also be part of the vehicle restraint system, which provides visual “stop” and “go” signals for semi-drivers and forklift operators. If the restraint fails, an early departure may cause the forklift and its operator to fall off the loading dock or be trapped inside a moving trailer.
Key areas inspected: dock bumpers, fasteners, welds, control box, signage, light box and wiring.
