If the recent frigid weather has taught us anything, it’s that many of us are unprepared for cold temperatures. Whether you run an FMCG company or work in an industrial setting, the loading bay can be risky when the temperature drops. Not only do you need to ensure that you’re keeping your loading bay safe from those hazards that could render your employees incapacitated, but also that your productivity doesn’t drop due to weather concerns.
If you’ve experienced problems with your loading bay when it’s snowy and icy, you’re not alone. However, there are tips and tricks to help keep your loading bay doors functional, even in freezing conditions. Read on as we share a few of these tips below.
Why it matters
Loading bay doors are a vital part of your workflow, acting as an essential tool for keeping goods moving through the supply chain. Being used so often also means that they contribute significantly to energy costs, particularly in winter. Therefore, if they are not operating efficiently, they can be not only unsafe but ineffective and expensive.
Cold weather can cause severe damage to your loading bay doors if they are not maintained correctly. That’s why it’s important to optimise them for all weather conditions.
Step 1 – Preventative maintenance
If you are in charge of a loading bay, no matter what the weather, inspecting your doors and any related technology regularly is vital. Look at the shelters, levellers, seals and doors for signs of damage or wear and tear. You should be able to identify any points at which water could potentially gather and freeze up mechanisms.
While inspecting, you should also ensure any mechanisms are properly lubricated. There are specifically designed cold-weather lubricants that can help prevent freezing. This will help to ensure the smooth operation of your doors during winter.
Finally, take a close look at the hydraulic systems. One of the biggest causes of damage during winter months can be frozen hydraulic fluid. Installing insulation around the reservoir or using a semi-heated hydraulic fluid can help.
Step 2 – Keep the cold out
As mentioned, any gaps around the loading bay doors, levellers and shelters can be dangerous. If cold air or water gets in, this can lead to frozen equipment, impact energy loss and cause uncomfortable working conditions. In addition, it can also cost you money on heating your premises.
You should, therefore, invest in quality seals and shelters. These can help seal tight around a trailer, preventing any cold air, ice and snow from entering your warehouse. Insulated loading bay doors can be installed to improve the temperature control within your warehouse significantly too.
Step 3 – Handling cold weather issues
Addressing cold weather issues before they occur is helpful, but sometimes, cold weather sets in without warning. If you suffer any problems during the winter they must be handled correctly. For example, if a door freezes shut, you should never force it open. This can damage the mechanism, seals and the door itself. Infrared heaters and heat guns can help melt the ice to help you reopen your doors.
In addition, clearing up any build-up of ice from seals, tracks, and surrounding areas can help remove any potential hazards and help your operation resume. Finally, it may sound counter-productive, but properly ventilating your warehouse is vital. Without proper ventilation, condensation can occur, which can freeze and cause further problems inside your loading bay.
By keeping all these tips in mind, you can make sure that you’re loading bay doors are protected and strengthened so that your operational efficiency is not detrimentally impacted, no matter how cold it gets.