a shield system for shielding the area underneath a dock leveler allows a gap to be created either above or below the shield when the deck rises , whereby a shield of a given height dimension can used on dock levelers of various lift heights . in some embodiments , the shield is a pliable curtain that a tensioner holds taut during some operations of the dock leveler , yet the curtain can collapse for below - dock operation . the shield system can be used on horizontally storing dock levelers or vertically storing ones . in some cases , the system includes a pliable web that extends between a front face of the deck and a lip extending from the deck . the web can help seal the area adjacent to a pair of dock bumpers .