Vehicle Restraints: A Key Advancement in Dock Safety
One of the most significant improvements to loading dock safety over the years has been the introduction of vehicle restraints in conjunction with dock leveler installations.
Vehicle restraints perform two very important functions:
- They act as visual communication between the truck driver and the dock attendant, advising the truck driver when it is OK to enter or depart the loading dock area.
- They advise the dock attendant when the truck is secured in position and loading can begin.
In addition to providing clear visual communication, vehicle restraints are structurally designed to securely hold or lock the truck in position during the loading operation.
Pentalift offers 7 different models of vehicle restraints, all designed to increase safety at the loading dock area.
https://www.pentalift.com/solutions_category/product-models-vehicle-restraint-systems/
Enhancing Safety With Hydraulic Dock Levelers
Hydraulic dock levelers equipped with the optional Roll Off Stop lip further enhance safety at the loading dock area. When the dock leveler is in the closed, parked position, the Roll Off Stop lip provides an 8” high vertical barrier designed to prevent a lift truck from accidentally driving off the dock to grade below while the dock leveler is in the stored position.
See Page 3 of the link for additional information on Pentalift’s Roll Off Stop lip.
https://www.pentalift.com/wp-content/uploads/Hydraulic-Dock-leveler-Brochure-10-01-24.pdf
Automatic Roll Off Stops for Dock Lifts
Dock lift applications that require a lift truck to be raised or lowered on the platform can benefit from the use of an Automatic Roll Off Stop. The automatic roll off stop is level at rest when the dock lift is in the lowered position. The lift truck drives across the lowered roll off stop onto the lowered dock lift platform; as soon as the dock attendant operates the Up button, a hydraulic cylinder powers the roll off stop up into the almost vertical position behind the lift truck.
This vertical barrier prevents the lift truck from sliding off the elevated platform in slippery weather conditions, driving off due to mechanical failure, or accidentally driving off the raised platform. When the dock lift returns to the fully lowered position, the roll off stop automatically lowers to the level position.
https://www.pentalift.com/solutions/automatic-hydraulic-roll-off-stop/
For additional information on any Pentalift product, please contact the Pentalift Sales Department.