Dock door access apparatus

A warehouse dock door control system having a system controller; an interior side unit; and an exterior side unit 142 having a key repository 154 and a key detector 152; where the key detector detects and identifies a specific vehicle key associated with unique identification data. The key detector detects the presence of the key within the key repository and reads the associated identification data; the controller uses the identification data to determine whether the vehicle key is an authorised vehicle key; and in response the controller communicates with the interior side unit to authorise opening of the dock door and controls the exterior side unit to secure the vehicle key in the key repository to inhibit removal until a signal is received indicating that a loading or unloading process is complete. The exterior unit may also include a key fob receptacle to receive a key fob attached to a vehicle key, and the receptacle may have a fob detector to detect the presence of a fob and a fob lock to retain the fob in the receptacle to secure the key in the key receptacle.