You wouldn’t walk around in the dark at home, and you shouldn’t expect your dock workers to load and unload freight in the dark. A good set of dock lights should be standard equipment on any loading dock, but managers sometimes fail to install them, not realizing that overhead lights alone don’t always give the coverage that’s needed. High visibility sources of light attached to a moveable arm can be aimed to illuminate places in the trailer and on the dock that the overhead light can’t reach. These lights provide good coverage so workers can move about safely on the dock and in the trailer, meaning there’s less chance of injury to workers or property. Employees need to be able to see what they’re doing when engaged in tasks such as opening and closing tractor trailer doors or overhead doors.
Enhancing your work environment with the installation of dock lights goes beyond illumination. Your work ensures a significantly safer atmosphere for nighttime operations. This becomes particularly crucial when handling refrigerated cargo that demands prompt unloading upon arrival. High speed overhead doors can only get your team so far when they’re struggling to see where they’re parking. By investing in well-lit dock areas, not only do you optimize safety, but you also streamline the unloading process. It’s a single step in overhauling the setup and efficiency of your operations.
No More Broken Pallets
The wooden pallets on which goods are loaded are often broken during transit, or when dock workers misstep because they can’t see uneven surfaces. The goods on top of the palettes then may be damaged as well, particularly as dock workers try to unload them.
Dock lights can help prevent this common problem. When you’ve got good lighting that covers the whole work area, you can introduce regular safety checks, to make sure the pallets are secure. This will help reduce the likelihood of a load of materials shifting and falling. The lights will also help dock workers as they move the pallets, so they don’t stumble or move them onto uneven surfaces.
Better Lighting Protects Your Fleet and Garage Doors from Accidents
When it’s late at night and a semi is coming in, your drivers need to see where they’re going. Without adequate lighting, this could result in multiple accidents. Anything from someone getting hit to a driver running into one of your overhead doors. A few LED lights can go a long way to protecting both your garage doors and your trucks. Lights are a quick and easy investment in protecting your assets as well as your workers.
Choosing Dock Lights
There are several brands of quality dock lights available. The best lights are made with durable metal frames that can stand up to wear and tear. They’re usually bright yellow, so that they’re easier to see night or day, and may come with a wire protection guard to protect the bulbs. The lights may be mounted on dock walls or doors, but portable lights are also available, which make it easy to light up a specific work area as needed.