Anyone who has worked around docks or delivery vans, at some point or another has probably seen some pretty sketchy materials used as dock boards: Cracked and splintery pieces of old plywood, wooden 2X4 beams, and even old metal advertising signs have been used to span the gap between where the dock ends and the truck bed begins.
But using unauthorized materials as a shortcut to safety simply increases the risk of accident and injury at docks, warehouses, and other work areas.
Only dock plates, boards, ramps, and levelers that were specifically engineered to support loads being transported into and out of truck beds should be used in your operation. Materials that weren’t designed to support the weight of forklifts, power jacks, or even people pushing hand trucks loaded with full cases can easily collapse.
Dock Boards vs Dock Plates
So what’s the difference between dock boards and dock plates, anyway?
Dock boards are typically made of steel, reinforced aluminum, or other sturdy materials that are designed and tested to support heavy-duty loads. They are placed between the dock’s edge and the back of a delivery van or truck to provide a temporary bridge so people and vehicles can pass between the two areas safely and efficiently.
Dock boards can handle capacities of up to 20,000 pounds. They also have a unique design feature — sides or curbs — that prevent run off and slippage.
Dock plates serve essentially the same purpose as dock boards, but they lack the curbs on the sides that help prevent loads from slipping off. They essentially are flat pieces of metal that feature a slight bend for a simpler transition between the two surfaces. Dock plates typically have a capacity of up to 17,000 pounds.
When to Use Each Tool
Because they have a lower weight capacity, dock plates tend to cost a little less than dock boards. But if the loads you typically unload are under the maximum weight the dock plates can support, they are often a more economical choice.
For docks dealing with bigger, heavier, and more frequent loads, dock boards are often a better solution. The additional expense is justified by the increase in safety and efficiency.
Many of today’s docks have built-in, hydraulic dock boards that self-assemble whenever a delivery truck backs into the loading bay. These provide maximum safety combined with convenience and durability.
Whichever option you choose is going to be better than that sketchy plank of plywood or other unsafe shortcuts.