L
oading bays for successful
perfectly matched to integrate seamlessly
compromised, animals or rubbish could
companies represent the
with a facility. Furthermore, such experts
enter the facility; at the very least energy
input and output portal
can ensure installations adhere to all
efficiency could drastically decrease if the
of the business, dealing
necessary guidelines and certifications
warehouse is chilled or heated.
with high volumes of goods and vehicles,
while being a hot spot for employees
engaged in loading and unloading. The
two paramount concerns with regards to
successful operation, specification and
installation of loading bays are efficiency
and safety; ensuring profitable inflow and
outflow while protecting workers who
operate in an extremely busy area of a
facility.
Louise Nurse, sara LBS Sales Manager,
explains why employing experts in all
facets of loading bays promotes the
achievement of this happy medium by
enabling a complete service - offering
peace of mind for its end users.
whether customised or standard.
Furthermore, loading equipment that
Once specified, loading bays should be
is not well maintained or suited for a
installed by qualified engineers like those
required application can pose a huge risk
employed by sara LBS; eliminating the need
to workers and goods simultaneously.
for third party contractors that can increase
Over loading of a scissor lift or incorrect
the length of an installation project. This
fitting of a bay can cause delays during
process also guarantees that every loading
operation or outright equipment failure,
bay is installed to exacting standards.
damaging profit margins while the bay is
Loading bays, due to their integral nature,
are required to be operational throughout
the working cycle, which pushes the issue
down. Such poor systems also increase the
number of sharp edges and trip hazards,
increasing the risk of injury to employees.
of reliability to the fore. Not only should
To help avoid such situations, offering
loading bays be of the highest quality, but
products with advice on protocol and
a comprehensive support of a nationwide
training for on-site staff to help ensure
fleet of maintenance engineers is needed
correct safety procedure makes the
to keep loading bays operational, reducing
difference. Quality safety products such
Ensuring the efficiency of goods passing
downtime significantly in the event of a
as interlocks, light curtains and pressure
through a business is the primary
failure or accident.
pads should also be considered where
monetary concern when specifying a
loading bay system. Improper placement
of the bay, incorrect specification for the
application or unreliable operation can
greatly increase costs. The loading and
unloading process needs to achieve a
constant integrated flow to minimise
Safety around a loading area is paramount
to avoid injuries to personnel, protect
the quality of goods and, in some
cases, to ensure the facility is not
compromised. Increasing loading and
unloading efficiency can place pressure
required. Advice on the control of vehicle
movements, safety protocol for loading
and unloading plus expert specification
all contribute to enabling a loading bay
system to operate with minimal problems
and risk.
on warehouse personnel. However with a
A loading bay should be economic in
total package, such as that provided by a
its operation and stringent in its safety
loading bay expert like sara LBS, effective
levels throughout its lifetime. The best
Offering support from the very start of
advice and options are available to reduce
way to ensure this balance is to work with
specification is vital. Expert engineers
risk and relieve this pressure.
a company such as sara LBS, combining
time between unloading and loading to
maximise profitability.
and designers should be called upon to
provide the very best advice to specify
the correct system for the application.
Engineers should liaise with customers,
architects and contractors on-site to
ensure a perfect loading bay fit. If a
standard product is unsuitable for the
application, suitable expertise enables
the development of custom solutions,
Reversing lorries represent a sizeable
hazard to personnel and loading bay areas.
Poor visibility for a driver when reversing,
especially at close quarters, can result in
incidents. For example a lorry impacting
with a loading bay could cause a number
of issues for the facility. Employees near
the loading bay could be injured by the
impact, security of the facility may be
quality products, expertise and advice
throughout specification, installation and
operation. With the support infrastructure
of engineers who can impart key
knowledge of the products and their safe
operation, end users can be sure in the
knowledge their loading solutions will
meet the safe efficiency levels a business
demands.