Check it out

David James, a service surveyor with loading bay specialist sara LBS says loading bay equipment, such as scissor lifts, dock levellers and even powered doors must be maintained in a condition such that it is safe to operate. This will require the regular checking of safety-critical components, such as springs, cables, locks, stops, and catches and adjusting or replacing them if necessary. Typically this work will be carried out as part of a wider machine inspection that also looks at the operating mechanisms and controls.

For scissor lifts and dock levellers, the electro-hydraulic drive will need to be checked, looking for worn hoses and leaks, topping up the oil and making sure the power pack is in good condition. Other parts, electrical and mechanical, should also be checked at the same time, and – importantly – thorough cleaning is recommended, especially underneath the equipment where dirt and litter will naturally tend to accumulate and could become a trip hazard, hygiene risk or even harbour vermin.

Loading bay doors also need to be maintained in good order. Most of the wearing parts, including springs, cables, drums, brakes, bearings and shaft will be in the drive system, and these should be the main focus of inspection and maintenance. Generally, these are located at the top of the door so will probably be at least three metres, and as much as seven metres above the concrete floor of the loading bay, bringing working at height practices and legislation into play.