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Loading Docks in Multitenant Buildings

Shipping and receiving are trickiest in multitenant facilities. Here's a tool for assessing risk in such a scenario.

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October 05, 2008 — CSO — Facilities and staffing:

  • Are shipping (outbound) and receiving (inbound) areas physically separated? Are appropriate controls applied to each area?
  • For safety (and efficiency) purposes, is the platform height aligned with typical truck-bed height?
  • Is this height adjustable?
  • What are the hours of operation, and does the facility provide supervision and staff at all times?
  • Are rest areas and toilet facilities provided?
  • Who controls access to these areas?
  • Do the doors close and lock automatically?
  • Are pedestrians allowed to enter the dock area?

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Delivery vehicles and drivers:

  • Are all vehicles logged in and out?
  • Are vehicles inspected before entering loading docks?
  • Are keys left in delivery vehicles, or are the keys stored in a secure area?
  • Who is permitted to move vehicles—drivers only, or loading dock personnel as well?
  • Are all operators trained, licensed and insured?
  • Are drivers allowed to enter the building to complete deliveries?
  • Are drivers required to wear ID badges in the facility?
  • Are other vehicles (such as employees' cars) permitted to park in these areas?
  • Are the movements of vehicle drivers and delivery people restricted in the dock area?

Lighting:

  • What type of lighting is provided for the dock area?
  • Are all exterior doorways, walkways, entries and elevator lobbies adequately lit?
  • Are the lights in operation during all hours of darkness, and is a timer system used?
  • Is the lighting system regularly inspected, and if so, by whom?
  • Is there emergency lighting in case of power failure?

Surveillance:

  • Are all loading dock areas covered by surveillance cameras?
  • Are the image quality, frame rate and video-storage period appropriate?
  • Are cameras black-and-white or color, digital or analog?
  • Does the system capture and store vehicle license plate images?
  • Are outside cameras weatherproof?
  • Are cameras adequately secured?
  • Is surveillance video monitored in real time, or are any video analytics in use?

Adapted from "Call Centers: Risk Assessment Reminders" (CSOonline.com) and High-Rise Security and Fire Life Safety, 2nd edition, by Geoff Craighead (Butterworth-Heinemann, 2003).

Read more about supply chain security in CSOonline's Supply Chain Security section.

Other stories by Lauren Gibbons Paul

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