Loading docks require many safety features as they can be dangerous work environments to protect both, the property and the workers. Many forklift accidents occur every year that are caused by a truck prematurely departing from the dock or creeping away during the loading or unloading. Installing a Vehicle Restraint can help prevent these accidents by securing a trailer to the dock and providing better communication between the truck driver and dock attendant.

Benefits of Installing Vehicle Restraints in Your Loading Dock

According to Jeremy Artz, Vehicle Restraint Product Manager at McGuire, the average direct cost of a medically consulted worker injury accident in the US is $41,000, while the average direct cost of a worker death is $1,190,000. 

The most important benefit of using vehicle restraints is that it increases safety on your loading dock. Vehicle restraints eliminate the gap between the vehicle and the dock due to vehicle creep, which workers, forklifts, and hand trucks could potentially fall into.

Forklift Accident due to Truck's Early Departure

Besides helping minimize the accidents in the loading dock, the use of vehicle restraints also plays a significant role in improving efficiency and productivity while reducing the chances of a vehicle being stolen. 

Main Types of Vehicle/Truck Restraints

These are some of the vehicle restraints that are available in the US market. 

1. RIG Bar Vehicle Restraint

RIG bar vehicle restraints (truck restraints) block the RIG (rear impact guard) bar of the truck or form a vertical obstruction, preventing the vehicle from moving away from the dock until the restraint is released by the dock operator. These restraints are typically mounted to either the dock wall or to the drive immediately in front of the dock, but can also be recessed in the building structure under the dock pit as well.

RIG Bar Vehicle Restraint in Loading Dock

- Automatic Vehicle Restraints: This vehicle restraint is operated with push-button activation. It comes equipped with a RIG sensor bar that notifies dock workers if the restraint's arm is not securely engaged with the trailer's Rear Impact Guard.

- Mechanical Vehicle Restraints: These truck restraints are manually operated by dock attendants. For efficiency and ease of operation, they don’t require any power. Mechanical vehicle restraints are the most economical type.

2. Light Communication Systems

To signal to workers whether the restraint is engaged or not, you can also install a stop-and-go light communication system. Colored lights communicate the status of the loading operation to the dock operator and to the driver of the transport vehicle. Typically one set of lights is visible to the dock operator to indicate whether the restraint is engaged, and another set of lights is visible to the transport vehicle driver to indicate whether it is safe to pull the vehicle away from the dock. The lights are typically green to indicate “GO” and red to indicate “STOP”. 

Light Communication System for Loading Docks

3. Wheel Chocks

The most basic (and less safe) type of vehicle restraint is a wheel chock which can be utilized with or without a light communication package (mentioned below). A wheel chock can be a simple block of wood, form-fitted rubber/laminate wedge chock, or constructed of plastic or metal alloy. A wheel chock is manually placed in front of one or more of the trailer's wheels in an attempt to restrict the trailer's movement during the loading/unloading process.

Wheel Chock

4. UniChock Vehicle Restraint

The UniChock is a wheel-based trailer restraint with advanced light communication and is available as a standalone unit or integrated with other dock equipment. 

UniChock - Keeping Loading Dock Safe

The UniChock is equipped with advanced safety features. In addition to the controller message display and light communication, If the chock is moved to an unsafe position during loading, an audible alarm will sound until the restraint is back in the correct position.

After loading is complete, the dock attendant stores the leveler and closes the overhead door, which will then sound and display indications to return the UniChock to the storage bracket.

If you would like to learn more about loading dock equipment, contact us today. You can call us at 973-471-4060 or email us at info@loadingdock.com. It will be a pleasure to assist you.

We service Northern New Jersey (Bergen, Passaic, Hudson, Union, Essex, Morris, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Mercer, and Somerset county/counties), Manhattan, New York City, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Bronx, Westchester, and Rockland.

As an Overhead Door dealer, we're excited to announce the addition of a new springless aluminum glass sectional door to our commercial product line: the EverServeTM Springless AFV Model 521S.

This will be an attractive solution for commercial and industrial applications where visual access, light infiltration, high-cycle, and aesthetics are key design considerations.

Springless Commercial Aluminum Glass Doors 

EverServeTM Springless AFV Model 521S Highlights:

• Innovative springless design for sectional doors
• 30x standard sectional door cycle life
• Advanced speed (8 – 12 in/sec)
• Reduced cost per cycle for high cycle applications
• Floor-level controller with built-in, non-resettable cycle counter
• Direct drive motor with built in-braking mechanism
• 3" track standard on all configurations
• Finishes: Anodized, Painted, PowderGuard® Premium, PowderGuard® Max, PowderGuard® Textured
• Wireless sensing edge; built-in braking mechanism
• Single open/close/stop push button station incorporated into the control panel
• Rollers Nylon standard; Wind Load Steel standard
• Encoder Plug and Play, 8-Port Junction Box

Springless Commercial Aluminum Glass Doors

Wind Load Option:

For wind load applications requiring FBC, TDI, or Miami-Dade approvals, the existing 521 Modern Aluminum approvals will carry over for the EverServeTM Springless AFV Model 521S. These wind load approval ratings will be limited to the max-width and height of the 521S (max-width 18’ 1”; max-height 20’ 2”).

Springless Commercial Aluminum Glass Doors 

Sectional Aluminum Glass Door Applications: 

Aluminum glass garage overhead doors are ideal for:

Our sectional aluminum doors are practical, durable, and handsomely styled — and engineered for long life, low maintenance, and enduring beauty.

These are offered with a variety of stile widths, glazing materials, track styles, and finish options.

Commercial Aluminum Glass Doors 

Remember, The Overhead Door Company is your number one resource for all types of commercial doors, industrial doors, and loading dock equipment in the NYC and NJ areas.

In this article, you will find the most common commercial and industrial garage door issues and the preventive steps you can take before your garage door needs a professional repair.

Though commercial and industrial garage doors are built to withstand heavy use and are constructed with heavy material to last long, these doors can still present issues to business owners.

At Overhead Door Company of the Meadowlands & NYC, we're proud to offer preventive maintenance plans for loading docks and commercial doors for the food and beverage manufacturers, transportation facilities, healthcare, and pharmaceutical labs, residential buildings, and even waste facilities. Click here to learn more about the Industries that we serve. 

Most Common Garage Door Issues

After 40+ years in serving NJ & NYC Metro Area, we can share the most common garage door issues for commercial and industrial doors.

1. Remote Control Issues
You should frequently check that the batteries are still working. If not, replaced them and reprogram the remote.

2. Old or Damaged Torsion Springs
As the garage door springs have extreme tension and help lift these heavy doors. If the spring snaps suddenly, there is a possibility that this can cause serious injuries, damages, and even causalities.

3. Worn or Damaged Rollers
Ask a garage door repair pro for service when you identify this issue. The solution will be: Aim to keep your rollers and their tracks free from debris and frequently inspect for wear and tear.

4. Worn or Damaged Cables
If you find that your cables are torsion or worn out, ask for professional service. You should inspect them regularly.

5. Damaged Sections or Panels
A new door will offer more warranty options than replacing damaged sections, though it can be a more economical solution when comparing both.

6. Improper Alignment
This issue also needs the assistance of a professional to be repaired when you find gaps between the rails or, bent curved metal.

Preventive Maintenance Plans for Commercial & Industrial Doors

The Overhead Door Company of the Meadowlands & NYC strongly recommends a regularly scheduled preventative maintenance plan for commercial overhead doors.  Our preventative maintenance plans improve operational efficiency, safety, and reliability as our professional technicians will be able to identify the potential problems before they have a chance to occur. 

Need Some Help?
Our experts are ready to assist you in any way you need. We have 40+ years of experience working in a variety of commercial garage doors, and industrial garage doors such as rolling doors, counter doors, fire-rated doors, parking garage doors, metal and fabric high-speed and high-performance doors, bifold and hydraulic doors, and many more.

Call today at 973-471-4060 or email us at info@loadingdock.com it will be a pleasure to assist you.