Any warehouse that has forklifts moving products onto a truck in a loading dock needs dock levelers. A hydraulic dock leveler is placed at the threshold of the opening of the loading dock, covering the space between the open trailer bed of the semi-truck and the dock floor of the building. It provides a smooth, safe surface for forklifts to drive over. There are numerous benefits to gain, so consider the following factors when you are thinking of investing in an edge-of-dock leveler.
Reduced Risk of Dock Shock
Without a leveler, forklift drivers will experience a sudden change in deck height. This creates vibrations throughout the vehicle and the driver, and over time, this can result in severe back problems. This is known as Dock Shock. Chronic jolting and jarring can also lead to damage within the legs, lower back and neck. These types of work-related injuries can result in over $10,000 in medical costs when accounting for an employee’s prescription medication, doctor visits and physical therapy. More severe back issues can result in medical expenses as high as $300,000. It is in a company’s best financial interest to avoid employees getting these injuries, and a mechanical dock leveler can help tremendously.
Prevention of Lost Products
Another major issue warehouses have to contend with is potentially losing products in transit. When items are on a forklift, they can fall off if the driver is not careful. This is more prone to happen if the forklift experiences a sudden drop from the loading dock to the truck bed. Boxes can fall off if they are not properly secured, and this leads to a loss of revenue. Dock levelers help with preventing this. Most warehouses will end up using their levelers hundreds upon thousands of time every year. It is in a warehouse owner’s best interest to invest in a hydraulic dock leveler to avoid a host of issues.
Simple Maintenance
Similar to all other pieces of equipment in your warehouse, you need to maintain your leveler. Fortunately, maintenance is simple to carry out, and you can typically hire expert technicians in your area to help you out. All the components in the dock leveler need to be cleaned regularly to remove dirt and debris. Some components require lubrication to prevent corrosion and degradation. You also need to adjust your leveler regularly to ensure it is moving properly. You need to inspect every aspect and document the fact you have maintained your edge-of-dock leveler. You will then be able to show any Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s officer you have taken all necessary precautions to protect your workers.
If you think your business can benefit from a W. E. Carlson dock leveler, contact us today to see which one is right for your business.
