Understanding Loading Bay Lighting

Nov 9, 2020

Have you ever been to a warehouse full of goods? A warehouse is much more than just storage – warehouses help the overall production be more organized, especially in the moving in and out of the goods. Loading bays is where the movement of goods occurs, from the loading to unloading process.  

About Loading Bay

The design of loading bay changes over time. The most common type of loading bay is the flush dock with an even foundation toward the warehouse. However, whatever the scheme of a loading bay, the need for warning lights must never be neglected. It completes the construction’s safety, as well as future operations.

What is Loading Bay Lighting?

Loading bay lighting works to maintain safety inside and out of the warehouse. It also improves the operation between the workers and the machines involved. Severe disruption may occur when loading bay lighting is not present. It may also result in confusion and other dangers such as collision within the facility.

Types of Loading Bay Lighting

There are three common types of loading bay lighting used within a warehouse:

First is the LED or Xenon Strobe Beacons that prevent possible collisions between truck drivers and other machines. The system can be installed either in or out of the facility to provide a clear warning message.

Second is the Stop and Go lights that manage the traffic flow in loading and unloading stations. When the green light turns on, it is safe for the truck driver to go over the bay. Red light, on the other hand, means to stop and drivers should wait for their turn. These warning lights promote safer loading and unloading of goods in particular areas of the warehouse.

The last item for loading bay lighting is dock guide lights. Night-time operation in a warehouse is riskier than working in the daytime. To ensure a more accurate docking, the loading dock must be illuminated by using a proper lighting tool. Dock guide lights work to light up the interior of the trailer for safer operation. The main reason for this is that trailers can cause accidents, resulting in damaged goods, when there is no proper lighting.

How Loading Bay Lighting Works?

Loading bay lighting works for the safety of the whole facility and all the personnel. It is used in the loading and unloading area to ensure an efficient operation between the employees and other tools.

Poorly designed warehouse loading docks can create severe damage to goods, and so the installation of proper lighting is essential. It will minimize or eliminate the dangers in the loading bay thus makes the operation safer and quicker.

This warning signal is commonly set up in and out of the facility for better results. They provide relevant signs toward the facility workers whether the docking area is ready or not.

Loading bay lighting is also energy-efficient because of the LED material, and yet visible enough for everyone to see. The sequence of work from unloading, loading, packing, and storing is more harmonized, without sacrificing the quality of goods. There will be a continuous production of goods on which benefits the warehouse in the long-run.

Final Thoughts

To sum it all up, loading bay lighting has no huge difference from other beacon warning signals. It consists of accurate signals to prevent damaging goods and harming people within the facility. Possible collisions caused by a poorly planned workplace may occur without this lighting system installed. Therefore, having the right workers and equipment is not enough without installing relevant warning signals. The safety of the workers must be the priority at all times, at all cost. Investing in loading bay lighting makes it possible.

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