Today, a growing number of facilities have found value in implementing regular, routine maintenance programs for loading docks and warehouse equipment. While many experts recommend performing these procedures on a quarterly basis, some opt to conduct inspections and maintenance every six months or once a year. The advantages of performing these essential tasks on schedule greatly outweigh the disadvantages over the long term.

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Changing Perspectives

Of course, busy facility managers sometimes dislike interrupting the flow of commerce even for brief periods of time. Businesses which engage in extensive shipping or receiving sustain “downtime” whenever scheduled dock maintenance occurs. Yet these periods of inactivity won’t necessarily translate into lost revenue. In fact, when correctly managed, implementing a scheduled loading dock and warehouse equipment maintenance program usually helps companies increase profitability.

Some factors account for this situation. First, by taking regular action to keep their facilities and equipment in good working condition, companies significantly reduce sudden unscheduled disruptions in workflow due to so-called “reactive maintenance” (i.e. the procedures required to fix essential malfunctioning equipment on an emergency basis).

Improving Worker Safety

Perhaps the biggest upside of performing scheduled periodic maintenance stems from the potential for reducing serious accidents, however. Shocking statistics indicate forklift accidents produce a fatality every three days. By making certain their loading docks and other essential warehouse equipment receive scheduled maintenance, businesses greatly reduce the potential for breakdowns resulting in property damage, injuries, or loss of life.

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Scheduling maintenance at optimal intervals provides an opportunity to regularly inspect and re-evaluate the condition of loading dock equipment. A busy facility can carefully examine the condition of its safety equipment. Managers enjoy a better opportunity to identify and update dock equipment with better performing and more energy-efficient loading dock items. These precautions will reduce the likelihood of catastrophic equipment failures and promote enhanced safety awareness in the workplace. (Some companies take full advantage of periodic loading dock maintenance “downtime” to reinforce employee safety training.)

Customize Dock and Warehouse Maintenance Schedules

The type of equipment used regularly by a company helps determine the time frames for conducting scheduled maintenance. The presence of extensive electrical, hydraulic or mechanical machinery in the loading facility requires a high level of vigilance to ensure optimal performance.

Yet even purely manual loading dock facilities benefit from at least annual maintenance overhauls. Supervisors should check over (and document) this infrastructure carefully using checklists. They’ll help ensure the facility provides the safest possible workplace!

Contact us today at Stokes Equipment to replace any loading dock equipment in Philadelphia PA and to get a free site survey and assessments of your equipment.