Vehicle restraint safety systems play a critical role in loading dock safety by securing trailers in place during the loading and unloading process. Integrating—or interlocking—these vehicle restraints with dock levelers significantly enhances safety protocols and reduces the risk of accidents at the loading dock.
Why Interlock Vehicle Restraints with Dock Levelers?
The primary purpose of interlocking a vehicle restraint system with a hydraulic or pneumatic dock leveler is to prevent dock leveler operation until the trailer is properly secured. This helps eliminate the risk of:
- Unscheduled trailer departure
- Trailer creep or movement during loading
- Dock attendant injury or equipment damage
By ensuring the trailer is locked in position before dock equipment can be activated, interlocked systems provide a critical layer of safety.
Common Dock Equipment Interlocks
The most typical interlocked components at a loading dock include:
- The overhead door
- The vehicle restraint
- The dock leveler
Here’s how a fully interlocked sequence works:
1. The overhead door must be opened to enable the system.
2. The vehicle restraint is then activated and must securely engage the trailer’s rear impact guard.
3. Only once the trailer is secured by the vehicle restraint will the dock leveler become operational.
With the overhead door open, the trailer secured in position by the vehicle restraint and the dock leveler in position with the hinged lip assembly resting on the bed of the trailer the dock attendant can begin loading or unloading.
Override Function for Damaged or Missing Rear Impact Guards
In the event that a trailers rear impact guard is bent or missing, the vehicle restraint functionality can be over ridden by an authorized dock attendant at the control panel. Turning the control panel selector switch to Override permits the use of the dock leveler without first activating the vehicle restraint:
- An authorized dock attendant can switch the control panel to Override mode.
- An amber caution light will illuminate on the panel to alert the operator that the trailer is not secured by the vehicle restraint.
- In this situation, wheel chocks should be used to manually secure the trailer, and loading/unloading should proceed with extreme caution.
Enhance Your Loading Dock Safety with Pentalift
Pentalift’s dock equipment and interlocked vehicle restraint systems are designed with safety, efficiency, and reliability in mind. Whether you’re upgrading your existing equipment or designing a new facility, integrating interlocked safety systems can drastically reduce risk at the dock.
Contact the Pentalift Sales Department for more information on vehicle restraints, dock levelers, or complete loading dock safety systems.