Dock Signal Lights vs. Loading Dock Spotlight

Loading docks are one of the many fast paced and injury prone working environments at manufacturing and storage facilities across the globe. Damage can occur to vehicles, equipment, goods and even employees when working in these areas with a lack of awareness. In May of 2014, a loading dock repair worker at a frozen food facility in Wisconsin was awarded $12.3 million after sustaining a number of crushing injuries from a truck trailer reversing into him at a loading dock. Employers are always on the initiative to stop unfortunate incidents like this from occurring, not only for the interest of worker health and safety, but also to prevent unnecessary costs in compensation and damages. When considering dock signal lights vs. loading dock spotlight equipment for your loading dock,  Beacon has a number of safety products available to meet your needs.

Dock Signal Lights

Dock Traffic Signal Light

One element in promoting loading dock safety is in controlling the flow of traffic. Stop and Go dock signal lights are mounted both inside and outside of a dock door opening. Red and green signals let dock workers inside know when it is safe to enter a trailer and the truck driver outside when it is safe to depart from the dock. It is recommended to post safety signs alongside the dock lights to inform personnel of each signal’s meaning.

These can be operated manually by switch, or automatic with an illuminated, push button control panel. Signal lights can be affixed directly to the outside building frame structure with a steel mounting bracket. The Beacon BDTS-10 series of dock traffic control lights are constructed with a sturdy aluminum housing to make it better suited to resist temperature and weather. In bright light conditions, 8 inch sun visor hoods over each lens protect the lights from glare, promoting better visibility. Traffic dock lights are often used in conjunction with other dock safety equipment such as truck restraints and wheel chocks. Combined, these products offer the greatest chance of avoiding accidents.

Loading Dock Spotlight

Flexible Neck Dock Spotlight

Another element of increasing safety and awareness at the loading dock is to make certain that there is adequate visibility for workers operating in these locations. Dim or insufficiently lit spaces carry the increased possibility of employee slips, trips and falls, as well as damage to equipment and structures. Loading dock spotlights, which are typically found on the interiors of dock door openings, are used to brightly illuminate the inside of truck trailers and loading dock areas. This assists in increasing safety and minimizing damage to freight during loading and unloading procedures.

Beacon loading dock spotlight equipment comes in a variety of styles and light sources. While incandescent bulbs offer the more cost effective option, environmentally friendly LED and extra bright halogen bulbs are also available. Snake dock lights feature a 27 inch stainless steel flexible neck for easy to adjust lighting and can be mounted between two dock doors to optimize their use. High traffic distribution centers can use low profile, micro loading dock lights that are designed to avoid damage from forklifts and mobile equipment.