Keep Workers Safe – Follow Our Loading Bay Safety Tips

Workers based in warehouses are usually au fait with operating and using loading bays, but for people who are new to the game, here are our top tips for using a loading bay safely:

·         First of all – adequate training needs to be given to all members of staff who will be using the loading bay.  It may seem obvious, but a lack of knowledge and relevant training can be one of the largest causes of accidents.  Ensure that all personnel are given full training by a relevant member of staff as part of their induction to the role.

·         It’s not just staff who will require training on how to use a particular loading bay, but delivery drivers will also need to understand how the traffic management system works for a specific factory or warehouse.

·         Follow strict guidelines.  Instructions on how to use the loading bay should be displayed near to the door operation system as a reminder for staff or visitors to the warehouse.  This can help to reduce expensive damage to equipment and will also help to reduce the risk of accidents.

·         When installing brand new loading bay equipment to a warehouse, it’s vital that the equipment meets the relevant standards and is also fitted correctly.  Only experienced installers should be hired to fit the equipment, which should have been measured accurately to ensure the correct dimensions are used.

·         Of course, ongoing maintenance is essential.  Loading bays inevitably get knocked by forklift trucks and other vehicles, and are often areas of high traffic.  Their constant, repetitive use can mean that parts can become worn out, so regular maintenance checks are essential to ensure the equipment works effectively and is not putting workers at risk. 

Provided loading bays are used in a safe manner and care is taken to reduce damage to the equipment, the life span of a well-built loading bay can be fairly long.  Managers may find they struggle to find the time to train new staff to use equipment properly, but it is important to remember that training time should be seen as an investment and can help not only to increase the life span of the loading bay, but can also significantly reduce the risk of a nasty accident in the workplace.

To find out more about loading bays, feel free to take a look at the Amber Doors website, as we manufacture and install a wide range of loading bay equipment across the UK and beyond.

Zip Door Safe Edge Video Demonstration from Amber Doors

Take a look at our latest video which demonstrates how our Zip Door Safe Edge operates.  As you can see, if the door detects an obstruction it will simply reopen so as not to cause accidental damage.  Although the door itself is made from a flexible material, it is incredibly durable and will help to insulate the warehouse or factory.  

These Zip Doors are ideal for workplaces which have a high level of traffic and are for either internal or external use.  

Further details will be coming to the Amber Doors website soon.

Amber Doors Catch Up With The Latest Door News From The DHF

Amber Doors employees like to keep their fingers on the pulse by keeping up to date with the latest industry news.  The team have been invited to attend the DHF Industrial Door Group Meeting on 12 June 2014, where they will hear about the latest in DHF Quality Assured Standards plus news on the European Door and Shutter Federation. 

The Door and Hardware Federation (DHF) present the key players in the powered doors industry and currently has around 280 members, including Amber Doors.  The meeting is due to take place at the Heritage Motor Centre in Warwickshire and is aimed at providing members with an opportunity to share information and knowledge with fellow technical specialists.  Kevin Snook will deliver a presentation on Building Information Modelling before Michael Skelding, DHF General Manager and Secretary, provides delegates with an update on CE marking under the CPR.

The Amber Doors team are also looking forward to attending the DHF 2014 Gala Dinner which is due to take place in October 2014.  The evening has been organised to allow members and guests of the DHF to socialise and network, before enjoying a lavish meal.  Peter Shilton, ex-England goalkeeper, will be on hand to provide after dinner entertainment and guests will also be able to enjoy illusions carried out by Graham Jolley, who has performed in Las Vegas.

Attendance at these events are strictly by invitation only, and the Amber Doors team are looking forward to networking with fellow members of the doors industry.  The team will be able to catch up with the latest developments within door technology before sharing the information with the rest of the Amber Doors company.

To find out more about the products which Amber Doors have to offer, including traditional roller shutter doors and turbo roll high speed doors, feel free to visit their website.

Maintaining A Safe and Efficient Warehouse Environment

Warehouses are complex industrial operations.  They enable the storage and distribution of products but in order to do this effectively they need to be run safely and securely.  Fire and theft are two of the major threats to the efficient running of a warehouse environment, particularly when storing flammable or high cost goods.

Here are some of the main security issues you may encounter when running a warehouse:

Fire Risk From Flammable Products

If your warehouse stores flammable goods then the risk of fire will be very high.  Remember that it is not just the obvious fire risk products such as gas that you need to worry about but also other highly flammable materials such as paper – which are easy to ignite and will quickly cause a lot of damage.  The best way to reduce the risk of fire is to install industrial fire resistant doors such as shutters or fire curtains.  These products are not only resistant to fire damage but will also help to minimise the spread of fire.

Security Risks

There are always security risks with warehouses as thieves know these buildings are used to store high volumes of goods.  If these goods are also high value, they may attract more of this unwanted attention. In order to protect their clients’ goods, warehouses will need to install security systems such as CCTV, security lighting and secure doors.  Products such as security grilles on ground level windows also provide a popular way for warehouses to prevent break-ins.

Lack of staff training

If staff are inadequately trained in any aspect of the warehouse operations it leaves the building more vulnerable to security risks such as fire and theft.  Staff should be trained to the appropriate level for any machinery and equipment they must operate in the course of their day to day work and this will include understanding how to effectively and safely open and close industrial roller shutter doors.

No health and safety procedures

Warehouses present an environment where accidents may occur due to the fact that there are a lot of people moving around, using machinery and vehicles such as fork lift trucks.  Health and Safety procedures need to be in place at all times and staff should be made aware of these procedures on their induction.

To find out more about how industrial and fire resistant doors can help you maintain a safe and secure warehouse environment please visit the Amber Doors website.  

Top Questions Asked By Amber Doors’ Customers

Here at Amber Doors we get asked all sorts of questions on a daily basis.  But here’s a list of some of the most frequently asked questions:

What capacity is the leveller?

The leveller generally would be 6000kg but we can go to 9000kg and even 12000kg if required (the last two options would obviously be more expensive).

Can you repair existing Cylinders (RAMS)?

Generally yes we can.  What normally happens is that the leveller is hit by the lorry and this will break the seals or bend the rod or even both.  We keep certain designs of rams in stock so that we are able to replace them and then get the damaged ram repaired.  However, if it is not a standard item then the ram would have to be removed from site in order to allow repairs to take place.  This then leaves the leveller out of action.

Can you repair hoses?

Unfortunately no, when a hose is damaged it has to be replaced.  We do have our own swager which enables us to make replacement hoses up to suit most applications.

How often does the leveller need to be serviced?

It is dependent on the site conditions and the wear and tear that the leveller receives, generally a service should take place as a minimum every six months.

The leveller will only travel up slowly then just drops, even if you hit the stop button.

The leveller is losing oil pressure, therefore either there is a split hose or the power pack is damaged (you would normally be able to tell as there will be oil visible in the pit).

Can I have just have the bumpers replaced?

Yes.  There are various different types of bumper available with different types of protective plates plus fixed or sliding back plates.

Can you repair the shelter that has been hit?

We would need to see it and advise accordingly, but if the damage is too excessive generally it is more financially viable to replace it.  However, if the shelter is an inflatable and it was just a split in the air bag, we can usually repair this with patchwork kit.

Can you refurbish my leveller rather than replacing it?

Yes we can generally refurbish anything but again, a site visit would be required to advise accordingly.

Is it just straight guides that you do?

No, there are options available with straight and cranked guides available.

Can you link the traffic light with the shelter so that the driver doesn’t drive away with the shelter still inflated?

Yes, the leveller/door and shelter can all be linked in with the traffic lights.

If you have a question for Amber Doors and you can’t see the answer on this FAQ blog post, feel free to visit our website or give us a call on 0121 565 6161.

Basic Retail Security Measures

No matter what the size of the store, all shop owners understand the importance of having effective security measures put in place during closing hours.  Although many stores are open 24 hours a day, due to Sunday opening hours they will need to close in the early hours of Sunday morning before being able to reopen for business from approximately 9.30am.  Shop owners therefore need to make sure the store is protected from unwanted visitors during closing hours.

Alarm systems are common place, as they will detect if an intruder is attempting to break into the store and will very often alert the shop owner as well as the emergency services should it be activated.  Alarms provide a great deterrent for burglars, particularly if the shop is situated in a residential area as local residents may be alerted to the sound.

Another effective form of retail security are retail security shutter doors.  These are often seen on shop fronts of all sizes, ranging from local convenience stores through to huge supermarkets.  The steel shutter doors are simple to operate by the shop manager and provide the store with an additional form of security once the staff have left for the day.  The steel shutters have a high degree of inner integral strength which is extremely difficult to break through.

Many shop owners select perforated retail security shutter doors as this provides a transparent effect if background lighting is left on.  Although the contents of the shop can still be seen, would-be burglars would not be able to get through the steel shutter doors without a great deal of difficulty and heavy cutting equipment. 

CCTV is another form of effective retail security, most large stores will have CCTV cameras both within the store as well as looking out onto the car park or shop front.  Recorded CCTV images can be used as police evidence should a theft have occurred, and for this reason many commercial insurers will require their policy holders to have CCTV installed within their premises.

Here at Amber Doors we offer a range of retail security roller shutter doors, examples of which can be found on our website.

Help Amber Doors Raise Money For Charity By Joining Them In The Great Midlands Fun Run!

If you're feeling fit and you want to help to raise money for two very worthy causes, then why not join forces with Amber Doors and sign up for the Great Midlands Fun Run? Ralph Simmons, Company Director of Amber Doors' sister company, MDS, is organising a team of 100 runners, walkers and crawlers who will take part in the Great Midlands Fun Run on Sunday 1 June 2014.  The chosen charity funds are the Kelli Smith Appeal and the Boldmere Sports & Social Club function room fund. 

Kelli Smith is a 5 year old girl from Sutton Coldfield who was unfortunately diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at 3 months old.  The brave little girl has undergone gruelling treatments and has faced relentless health problems, but she now needs help to raise £500,000 to help to pay for life saving treatment.  Further details of Kelli's fund can be found at her website.  To add to the sadness, Kelli's father, Tom Attwater, is also facing his own battle, as he has brain cancer.  Tom's mission is to live to see Kelli's fundraising target reached before he passes away, and Amber Doors want to help Kelli and Tom by raising as much money as they can by running the Great Midlands Fun Run.

The second charity which Amber Doors would like to help is for the completion of the brand new function room at Boldmere Sports & Social Club.  So far the main structure of the room has been built, but further funds are needed to finish the room to enable it to be used for room hire.  Without the room being finished, the future of the sports and social club could be at serious risk of closing, which will have a huge impact on the various sporting teams which are based at the Boldmere club.

In order to join Ralph's fundraising team, please contact him by email at Ralph@mdsind.co.uk by 14th March - the more people the merrier so spread the word and get as many people as you can involved! 

Amber Doors provide a range of security and high speed doors for commercial properties, feel free to visit the website to find out more.