Loading Docks in Multitenant Buildings

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

By Lauren Gibbons Paul

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?

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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