Date: August 23, 2005
Company: DL Manufacturing
Sector: Loading Dock Equipment
Problem: Poor Dock Communication. Demand in today’s loading docks is greater than ever before - more products are being squeezed through each dock opening in less time - the result can be a
compromise in dock safety.
Results: Various types of Loading Dock Accidents
Solution: Many products are focused solely on the restraint aspects of dock safety.These systems fall short in addressing the connection that
exists between the truck driver, truck, restraint, loading dock door
and the loading dock worker. All of these elements play a vital role
in dock safety. When they are not in sync, the potential exists for
a major accident.
DL Manufacturing offers the most complete dock communication safety system available on the market today.
Today’s loading dock areas are required to handle more capacity then ever before as companies look to improve efficiency in today’s competitive market. Business and facility managers are driven to focus on the improbable equation of increasing productivity, minimizing capital expenditures, reducing maintenance, improving worker safety and enhancing employee satisfaction. In most businesses, increased productivity gets the highest priority. However, improvements in operational efficiencies can come at cost. Though dock accidents are relatively few in number, the results are often devastating. Business and facility managers can be deceived by the potential risk especially when considering the continued focus on operational productivity and efficiency.
DL Manufacturing is a company that manufactures innovative products for the loading dock industry. As experts in loading dock safety, DL studies historical data and examines the root causes. We use this information to develop our products with the latest technology to offer value by reducing maintenance costs and most importantly improving loading dock safety and maintaining or enhancing productivity. In studying loading dock accidents, our research has found two common elements that make up most dock accidents – (1) there is a driver in the truck and (2) the dock door is open. “Over the years I have tried every type of trailer restraint and have been disappointed because they did not work and/or maintenance costs were astronomical. While always maintaining my concern for employees working on the loading dock, I kept trying to find a solution that would work. It is not often that a new product can have such an impact so quickly, but the Smart Chock fully automated dock communication and restraint system & Versa Light dock light both have become our standard for dock installations at C&S Wholesale and ES3” comments Dennis Mead, Corporate SVP Construction and Engineering of C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc.
A critical component to any successful organization is good communication. Teamwork, productivity and growth depend on having sound communication systems in place. At DL Manufacturing, we believe that dock safety requires a seamless communication plan to ensure success. That is why we have developed the most comprehensive dock communication system available in the market. Our Smart Chock and Safety Signal Dock Communication Systems offer the kind of solution that improves safety while enhancing efficiency and productivity. “I am very impressed with the Smart Chock because of its simple design and almost no maintenance required, combined with pricing that is very affordable - whether you have one dock door or one thousand” comments Dennis Mead, Corporate SVP Construction and Engineering of C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc.
The secret behind the design of Smart Chock is the creation of a communication system that connects the inside dock workers with the outside truck drivers. In the case of a loading dock area, the following components must be linked in order to develop a seamless safety system; the truck driver, the truck, the wheel chock, the loading dock door, and the loading dock worker. Without connecting the truck driver and the loading dock worker, you are at risk for an accident. Smart Chock communicates via a LED light system. The outside indicator box displays a red light, green light and wheel chock icon. The safety yellow inside indicator box displays a red and green light. When the driver approaches a loading dock door, the outside displays a flashing green signal using our patented driver-targeted LED design. Inside the workers view a red signal indicating that is unsafe for loading.
Once the truck driver is parked, he then positions the Electronic Wheel Chock. The unique design of this wheel chock includes a sensing eye that detects if the wheel is chocked and a saw tooth back plate on the chock itself. Our chock can withstand the most severe weather conditions including snow, rain and sleet. The Electronic Wheel Chock is connected to the outside indicator panel box by a heavy duty military spec cable with quick release plugs kept off the ground with a fiberglass cable pole. Once the truck is chocked, the outside wheel chock icon is illuminated, the outside green light turns off and the inside light box changes from red to green “chocked”, indicating that the wheel is chocked and it is safe to open the loading dock door. “The Smart Chock intelligence opens up more areas that will give us more benefits, door control, lighting control and the ability to make the loading dock door area automated and is as safe as we can make it” adds Dennis.
The advantage of using wheel chocks is that they meet OSHA specifications and are low cost compared with other technologies. Despite the perception that wheel chocks are old technology, the fact remains that chocks are proven to work and meet OSHA requirements.
The next critical portion of dock safety is the loading dock door. The Smart Chock System includes a convergent photo eye mounted on the track above the door so that once the door is in the up position the outside box light turns red while the chock icon remains illuminated. This completes the connection between the loading dock worker by using a series of safe, easy and seamless steps to ensure dock safety.
When loading is complete, the dock worker closes the door and the outside red light turns off. This indicates to the truck driver that they can proceed with un-chocking the wheel. Upon completion, the inside light turns red, outside chock icon turn off and the outside green light is illuminated.
If the chock is pulled prematurely with the dock door opened, the outside audible alarm sounds and the outside red light flashes. In addition, the inside audible alarm sounds, the inside red “un-chocked” light flashes and the optional Versa Light dock light flashes inside the truck. This is the only proactive system that alerts workers Inside the truck that a problem exists.
Smart Chock also offers value added features such as control of your Versa Light dock light and AeroTec dock fan. In a time with soaring energy and fuel costs this feature will automatically turn off the light and fan when the dock door is closed. Smart Chock can also interlock with your dock leveler to prohibit the use of the dock lever until the dock door is open.
The latest value added feature is our DockLogic Software Package that offers the ability to network a series of Smart Chocks and the ability to monitor in real time when a specific door opens and closes and when a wheel is chocked or un-chocked. Dennis adds “the Dock Logic Software Package will give operations and maintenance alike real data to look at door utilization, maintenance needs and scheduling and information for replacement cycles. This tool has been needed for along time and is finally here.”
For additional information on the above product please contact DL Manufacturing
Toll Free – 866.235.7468