Access specialist pushes for greater awareness around security loading dock

ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems specializes in access solutions and is fully committed to improving safety around loading docks. "As long as many accidents still occur at loading docks, we as a supplier have a job to do. And that, in addition to good safety products, is to transfer knowledge and raise awareness. This goes beyond just applying the right products. Safe installation, proper maintenance and correct use are also important," explains Business Development Manager Ron Waleveld. He is an expert in the field of loading docks and with almost 30 years of experience has seen every possible loading bay.

With this in mind, the security specialist recently organized the ASSA ABLOY On Tour. This consisted of a number of events where experts shared their knowledge. "It is always remarkable that at the beginning of such an event we show a video of a fictitious incident at a loading dock, and all attendees say they recognize the situation. Even those who only have four or six loading docks say they have experienced such a situation at one time or another. This indicates that we still have work to do in the Netherlands to make our loading docks safer."

Misconception

In addition to such events, ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems therefore shares plenty of knowledge with the industry, including through blogs. "On our website you will find a security checklist in which we list the various steps you can take to make a loading dock safer. Importantly, this checklist also focuses on behavior and training. After all, miscommunication is often the cause of an incident. Perception is very important. Many people think that a loading dock is safe once the right safety products have been installed and they are periodically maintained. This is really a misconception, because safety is also created through attentiveness, signaling and training. I have a car that is perfectly safe thanks to all kinds of technology, but if I drive 160 kilometers per hour, I am still in a dangerous situation."

Being a good employer

"We think it is important to be aware that there is a full range of measures. Not every company has the financial resources to install a complete automatic vehicle locking system, but there are plenty of other good safety solutions. Consider a wheel block that can be installed manually but connected to the dock, docklights or traffic lights. The solutions also contribute to a pleasant working environment where staff are eager and safe to work."

Innovative door

When developing new products, ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems has a major focus on the topic of security. For example, it has launched a pioneering sectional overhead door with innovative motor technology. This ASSA ABLOY OH1142P is electrically driven and controlled by innovative Dual Drive technology: two motors fully integrated into the door to form a new lifting mechanism. This makes the door operate faster, smoother and more reliably than standard sectional overhead doors. "The doors do not require springs and lifting cables, making installation, maintenance and operation safer and faster" The door comes with a comprehensive digital access management platform called ASSA ABLOY Insight. This delivers key insights that allow users to optimize the flow of people and goods. Waleveld concludes invitingly, "If there are any questions, by the way, you can always call me or my colleagues! We enjoy sharing our knowledge and experience."