Boplan USA  

4350 W White Rd Ste 300
Flowery Branch,  GA  30542-2976

United States
678-890-5906
http://www.boplan.com
  • Booth: 3221

Boplan® is the original manufacturer of flexible safety barriers, guardrails, handrails and other polymer safety products, focused on offering optimal protection for people, buildings and infrastructure.


 Press Releases

  • The loading dock is the beating heart of any logistics operation. A well-equipped loading dock combines a carefully designed layout, efficient loading facilities and great attention to safety. This blog post describes what to consider when designing a loading dock and which safety solutions are indispensable. That way you won’t just optimize your logistics flow, you can also ensure maximum protection for workers and equipment. 

    A loading dock is an essential element of any warehouse, distribution center or industrial facility where goods get loaded or unloaded. A well-designed loading dock increases the efficiency, safety and throughput of goods flows. 

    A poorly equipped loading dock can cause delays, damaged goods and vehicles, and even accidents. That’s why it’s crucial to pick the right features and layout to fit your business’s specific needs. 
     

    Dock levelers 

    Dock levelers bridge the height gap between the truck and loading dock, ensuring smooth loading operations. They are available in different versions, including hydraulic, mechanical and pneumatic systems. 

    Dock shelters & dock seals 

    Dock shelters and seals protect against the elements, reduce energy waste and ensure a safe, comfortable work environment. 

    Safety features 

    A safe loading dock prevents damage to vehicles, infrastructure or employees. Important safety features: 

    • Safety barriers: prevent collisions with your building. 
    • Wheel stops and dock locks: keep trucks from moving. 
    • Signaling systems: improve communication between drivers and staff. 

    Automatic loading dock systems 

    Automated systems such as sensor-controlled dock levelers and vehicle detection can also help further optimize operations. 
     

    A loading dock that isn’t safe can lead to serious accidents. Important areas of attention: 

    • Use clear lines and markings. 
    • Ensure non-slip surfaces. 
    • Provide sufficient space for trucks to maneuver. 
    • Perform regular inspections and maintenance. 
    • Train workers to work safely around loading docks. 

    In addition, companies need to comply with regulations and safety standards to minimize the likelihood of incidents. For example, ANSI MH30.1 and OSHA 1910.26 set out specific requirements for dock levelers to ensure a safe transition between the warehouse and the vehicle. 

  • Collisions are unavoidable due to the traffic of personnel and vehicles at your business. It is therefore the responsibility of every manager to install protection systems. Boplan offers various safety solutions to prevent accidents and to improve safety within your company. 

    That said, you should be aware that protection equipment is often a considerable investment. Choosing the right safety solution will help you avoid nasty surprises and unnecessary costs. This article will explain what you should keep in mind when choosing the right safety barrier for your business.

     

    Determine your requirements first

    To find the best safety barrier for your business, you must first determine your requirements. This includes assessing the risks within your plant or warehouse in order to determine which protection system is best. In addition, Boplan offers a wide range of safety barriers for securing the flow of traffic at your business. Once you determine your requirements, you can choose from:

    • Safety rails for stairs
    • Demarcation barriers
    • Drop gates
    • Modular barriers
    • Reinforced barriers

    It all depends on whether you want to secure loads, protect a work area, separate two work areas, block access, etc. In addition, we offer fixed safety barriers as well as safety barriers with removable panels. In this case, the choice of safety barrier will depend on your requirements for the area to be secured. 

     

    Visibility: not to be overlooked

    A safety barrier must be visible in order to ensure optimal protection. Every piece of safety equipment must be visible, regardless of the system used. Boplan offers several different types of protection equipment. 

    To improve visibility, first consider the size of the safety barrier. Then determine the most suitable barrier shape for the area to be secured. Finally, remember that the color is crucial for ensuring the visibility of safety barriers. Whether yellow, black, red, or white, the possibilities are endless. 

     

    Determine the right material for your safety equipment

    The material used to construct a safety barrier is a guarantee of its strength and quality. Boplan offers safety barriers made of polymer and steel. Generally speaking, both materials provide a high degree of collision protection. You will still need to determine which material best suits your needs. For example, polymer is more suitable for outdoor safety barriers due to its resistance to rust. 

    You should also determine the necessary diameter to ensure that each safety barrier provides the required strength. The same applies to the safety barrier's thickness. If your goal is to ensure optimal protection, each safety barrier must provide sufficient strength and resistance. Likewise, you should also keep installation in mind. This is especially important if the safety barrier must withstand heavy, fast-moving machinery.

  • As a forklift operator, your responsibility is crucial for safety in a warehouse or workshop. The forklift is your workplace companion, but only if it's in proper working order from top to tires. A forklift with one or more defects is an accident waiting to happen. That's why a forklift inspection checklist is essential.

    You can use this forklift checklist in various ways, depending on the type of forklift, the intensity of use, and how you want to document relevant reports. Below are some criteria that should always be included in the forklift checklist.

     

    Essential forklift safety checklist

    1. General Condition of the Forklift

    Is the forklift in good working order? Are there any signs of rust indicating the vehicle is nearing the end of its service life? Is there any dirt that could interfere with the operation? Also, check inside the cabin to ensure there's no clutter or other items that could affect operation.

    2. Leaks

    Check beneath the forklift. If there's a puddle on the ground, check if the vehicle is leaking oil or other fluids.

    3. Hydraulic Fluid Level

    Low hydraulic fluid levels can significantly affect the forklift's steering and lifting capabilities. Excess fluid can cause leaks, posing a potential hazard. If you hear a knocking sound during lifting or notice sluggish operation or overheating, check your oil level.

    4. Brake Fluid

    Check the brake fluid before starting operations. The brakes on a forklift are crucial for safety.

    5. Transmission Fluid

    Transmission fluid is often overlooked, yet still important. This fluid protects the gears from wear and tear and allows you to shift between gears smoothly. It also serves as a coolant in vehicles with automatic transmissions.

    6. Mast and Fork

    Visually inspect the mast and fork. Ensure there are no cracks at the base of the fork and that the ends are not damaged. Also, check that no bolts are missing.

    Go through every movement of the lifting system and ensure everything is in good working order.

    7. Seat Belts

    When seated in the cabin, ensure the seat belts and restraints (if fitted) are working properly.

    8. Tires

    Intensive use and tight turning angles can test a forklift's tires. Several tools are available to check the condition of the tires, but it's also possible to identify problems with the naked eye. Check tires for tears, excessive wear, and low tire pressure. A tire that sags slightly more than the others indicates a puncture. The "seam" in the center of the tire should be visible and you should be able to feel it when you run your hand over it. If you cannot see or feel the seam, the tire needs to be replaced.

    9. Lights

    It's best to ensure that the forklift's lights are working properly, especially in warehouses where the lighting is not optimal. This is not only about ensuring visibility for the operator but also about being seen by other workers. In other words, check the backup lights and any other warning lights.

    If your truck has a projector that displays a blue dot on the ground, test it to ensure it's working properly.

    10. Surroundings

    A safety check applies not only to the forklift itself but also to the surroundings. Be aware of obstacles or slippery substances on the driving surface. Look for protrusions or overhanging obstacles in the aisles.


 Products

  • Boplan Dock Gate - DG250F
    The FLEX IMPACT® DG250F is the strongest double-rail polymer safety gate in the world, with an impact resistance of 16 kJ on both bars and posts....

  • Boplan Motorized Dock Gate - DG250R AE
    The FLEX IMPACT® DG250R AE is a motorized safety gate with double bars, providing fall protection at loading docks or serving as an impact-resistant barrier up to 10.2 kJ....

  • Boplan Safety Barriers - TB400 Plus
    The FLEX IMPACT® TB 400 PLUS polymer safety barrier is extremely impact-resistant, providing up to 20.1 kJ impact rating....