Loading Dock Cleaning Services

Our loading dock cleaning service in Maryland includes cleaning the loading docks, the exterior wall, overhead doors and the underneath the drop down ramps.  We use Bio degradable soaps and detergents that are designed to break down mold, mildew and hydrocarbons to safely clean your loading docks.

 We offer more than loading dock cleaning, we can also pressure wash the concrete apron areas around your loading docks to clean them as well if needed.  All of our loading dock cleaning services are performed using waste water recovery equipment as needed to ensure that none of the dirt and water enter the storm drain systems.  Keeping your loading docks clean is important for safety,  to avoid OSHA and EPA violations.

Loading Dock Cleaning Is Essential To Your Companies Operation
And Safety Record!

Regular loading dock cleaning is important, your loading docks are the main hub of activity for your companies distribution of materials and products.  In every company, the ability to load and unload merchandise quickly can seriously impact the profitability of the company.  A loading dock is a recessed bay in a facility where trucks unloaded and are packed. They’re typically found at stores, production plants as well as other commercial structures.  Loading docks might be flush using the building cover external or totally enclosed. Most loading docks generally give direct-access to cargo elevators, storage rooms and hosting locations. While taking a look at the various procedures occurring in circulation center a factory or other unloading function, loading dock environments could be one of the more unsafe areas due to slippery conditions.

Loading docks have an increased potential for serious injury, here are just a few of the hazards found on and around loading dock areas.

• Slips, trips and falls
• Forklifts overturning
• Debris on floor
• Employees being hit by forklifts and other powered trucks
• Trailer creep
• Unguarded machinery
• Unsecured loads
• Chemical splash
• Material handling injuries (lifting)

OSHA Regulations Regarding Loading Dock Cleaning And Safety

OSHA standards that can apply to loading dock cleaning and safety, are slips, trips and falls, which can be found in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.22 walking-working surfaces and the ANSI A1264.2-2006 provision for the slip resistance on walking/working surfaces.  The OSHA regulation specific to loading dock safety is found in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.176 material handling. The majority of all regulations for the loading dock environment are actually directed to the operation and design of forklifts used on loading docks. Forklift safety regulations are referenced in the general industry standard, 29 CFR 1910.178 and construction standard 29 CFR 1926.600; 1926.602 and Part II, ANSI B56.1-1969 “American National Standard for Powered Industrial Trucks”. To ensure a safe loading dock environment, safe operation of forklifts must be maintained. Forklift operators are required to be trained as operators to help in this effort. See Quick Tips #106: Forklift Operator Training for those requirements. OSHA regulations for machine guarding found in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.211 should also be applied.

EPA Regulations Regarding Loading Dock Cleaning And General Maintenance

Regular loading dock cleaning can prevent violations of the Clean Water Act.  When it rains or water flows out of yards or over pavement, the water and surface dirt flows directly into storm drains. Many people mistakenly believe this water gets “cleaned” before reaching waterways. The sewer system and the storm water conveyance systems (drains, inlets and catch basins) are separate; they are not connected. Sewer water gets treated, but everything that washes into the storm water conveyance system goes untreated directly into our rivers, creeks, bays and ocean. This causes beach closures and postings due to contamination. Releasing pollutants into the storm water collection system is a violation of the City Municipal Code.

When using a hose or power washing equipment for loading dock cleaning, or to keep dumpsters clean, all wash water must be properly controlled, contained and captured in accordance with the Clean Water Act .  Alternative cleaning methods include the use of absorbents – cat litter, sand, etc. – on the spilled fluids before sweeping them up.  Remember that contaminated fluids can spill onto the ground when dumpsters are emptied and must not reach the storm water conveyance system.

Loading Dock Safety Checklist

Ensuring loading dock safety within your office can be quite a challenge. To ensure the best safety practices on your loading docks you should have some type of safety program.  Here are some items that you might want to consider adding to a checklist for your loading dock safety program.

• Immediately clean up spills to prevent slip hazards.
• Set up a regular loading dock cleaning schedule to keep loading docks clean.
• Ensure that rules are enforced and all personnel are trained in dock safety.
• Make certain that wheel chocks are utilized on every vehicle at your dock.
• Protect people traveling through the ability by making certain employees of powered industrial vehicles are trained to deliver the best of way.
• Mark surfaces with yellow tape or color to spot path barriers, gates, parking aisles and overhead obstacles.
• Protect persons traveling through your center from sharp edges. Location guards or support around sharp edges.
• Set an inspection program set up to review palletized products.
• If pallets are defective, the merchandise must be moved into a safe pallet.
• Review warehouse ergonomics. Alter the peak of conveyors to get rid of back strain.
• Place heavier items at knee to chest high levels.
• Install pads on conveyor sprockets and wheels.
• All pinch points should be protected and marked.
• Use plastic or steel banding to secure product to pallets for transportation or storage.
• Shrink wrap loose product for storage or transfer.
• It is extremely important to secure small items which may slip through a lift truck’s overhead guard.
• Clean-out dock areas routinely to remove accumulated debris.
• Simply allow OSHA documented, educated, certified personnel to operate hand jacks, powered hand trucks or forklifts.
• Inspect the dock area everyday to ensure that emergency equipment damaged or isn’t blocked.
• Require all employees to utilize wheel chocks or truck limitations at every bay.
• Paint the dock edge a reflective orange to provide a better view of the dock.
• Verify that ladders in the dock floor to the dock will meet OSHA specifications.  They should also be cleaned on the same loading dock cleaning schedule so they are not slippery.
• Ensure that proper illumination for handrails, docks, leave doors, and methods adhere to OSHA 1910.24.
• Draw and identify overhead hazards for example doors pipes and electric wires.
• Stop dock jumping, which can bring about severe back, knee and leg injuries.
• Ensure that dock plates and panels are designed for the loads and lift trucks used.
• Always check the surfaces of trailers and vehicles before a pallet or forklift jack is pushed onto them.
• Always inspect the landing gear and place jack stands under trailers which can be spotted at your dock.
• Always make sure dock levelers are set towards the stored position.
• Provide a dock seal or dock shelter to keep rain and snow off-loading docks which could cause slippery surfaces.  They should also be cleaned on the same loading dock cleaning schedule.

Choosing A Loading Dock Cleaning Company

When looking for a loading dock cleaning company to regularly clean your loading dock, it’s important to look closely at the companies experience, capabilities and equipment.  Loading dock cleaning can be an extremely hazardous job if it’s not done properly. Since loading docks play an important role in the shipment and distribution of a companies supplies and products, loading dock cleaning should be performed on a regular maintenance schedule.

OSHA and other health authorities make it a point to inspect the dock’s different service areas in their inspection itinerary for safety. Companies with loading docks that fail these inspections could be issued a ticket, a fine, or possibly shut down completely if their loading dock is found unkempt and unsanitary.  On average, loading dock cleaning should be performed on a Quarterly basis for busy warehouses.  If the warehouse is less active, then semi annual loading dock cleaning may be enough.

A loading dock cleaning company must have the proper resources to perform the cleaning.  They should use hot water pressure washing systems and eco-friendly disinfecting methods for loading dock cleaning, and proper disposal of wastes including the water run off.   As experts in loading dock cleaning and using pressure washers, Commercial Restorations gets the best results using hot water pressure washers and professional grade soaps and detergents to break down grease and oil, mold, mildew and surface dirt on loading docks. When cleaning loading dock areas, there are several areas that have different types of dirt that require hot water pressure washing equipment. The most common areas that require loading dock cleaning are the main loading area, concrete apron, sidewalks, drop down ramps, overhead doors and awnings. Plus the main entryway to the building of course!

First impressions of your property makes a difference in how potential tenants and their clients perceive a business.  With over 26 years of experience in the pressure washing industry cleaning building exteriors and of course loading dock cleaning, we know how to get the job done safely and quickly.

Call Commercial Restorations today at 301-216-2555 for loading dock cleaning services in Maryland and surrounding areas!