#LOADING DOCK DRIVERS#
#LOADING DOCK DRIVER#
#LOADING DOCK FULL#

The most common loading dock used in transport or heavy lifting, a flush dock allows for the back of the loading truck to be flush against the entryway of a space. From product loading to construction support, different types of loading docks can be beneficial to different types of environments. By taking proactive steps to reduce the risk in and around your loading dock, you can prevent every one of them.Although all loading docks share the same basic function, their uses in specialised environments do vary.

But they aren’t as rare as they should be, and there’s simply no excuse for that. There’s no question about it: these are truly catastrophic accidents.

#LOADING DOCK DRIVER#

Help increase driver visibility by ensuring all workers wear brightly colored safety gear and equipping the loading dock with good lighting.Īttach mirrors, horns, sensors, and lights to the forklift so the driver can alert others to the forklift's location.įinally, offer driver training specific to areas with heavy pedestrian traffic. While painted lines on the floor indicate where pathways are, rails and gates offer physical separation. An estimated 36 percent of forklift-caused deaths each year are pedestrians.Įrecting a physical barriers between lift trucks and pedestrians is the best and most practical way to prevent these incidents. The combination of lift trucks and pedestrians is an inherently dangerous one, and pedestrian collisions with forklifts are a major problem. The Problem: Shared pathways and low visibility Opt for gear that is manufactured to hold a substantial static load capacity (and verify that it meets your needs) and use a rotating hook vehicle restraint to prevent the trailer from toppling into the one docked next to it.įixed jacks may be necessary to support a trailer that isn’t attached to a tractor. If there are any concerns as to its safety, do not proceed.

Landing gear that is rarely used, rusted, or damaged in some other way is more prone to collapsing under the weight of product loads and lift trucks.Īlways inspect the landing gear before loading and unloading procedures begin. It’s often known as “trailer tip.”Ī poorly supported trailer can easily collapse with a forklift and driver inside, creating an extremely hazardous situation. This type of accident occurs when the landing gear gives way, causing the trailer to either pitch forward or fall to one side. The Problem: Weak or damaged landing gear

#LOADING DOCK DRIVERS#

They are mounted beneath the dock opening on the outside wall and have a hook that automatically extends to wrap around the trailer’s rear-impact guard.įinally, dock levelers provide a bridge between the dock and trailer, and these can be used to ensure a smooth transition.Īs technology continues to progress, keep an eye out for systems that monitor the dock and alert drivers to unsafe conditions, including trailer creep and early departure.įree Download: Best Practices for Loading Dock Safety and Safety Checklist While wheel chocks aren’t a reliable solution on their own, used properly and in good weather conditions, they can help minimize trailer movement (find out why Wheel Chocking Is Not a Waste of Time).Īutomated restraints can be used alongside the chocks. While it may sound like an unlikely event, this type of incident accounts for a whopping 7 percent of all forklift accidents and can prove fatal. This is known as trailer creep, and it’s the main cause of forklift falls from the loading dock.

#LOADING DOCK FULL#

A widening vertical gap can lead to an uneven transition from dock to trailer bed, while a horizontal change can lead to full separation from the dock. With all the back-and-forth of loading and unloading, the weight inside a trailer can shift and the gap between the trailer and loading dock can slowly and gradually widen. Safety gates are excellent tools for preventing both lift trucks and pedestrians from accidentally falling off the edge of the dock.Ĭonsider a policy that requires dock doors to be kept closed and locked when not in use. Yet these types of falls still happen, and they can be deadly.Īlways ensure that any loading dock that is not in use is guarded with a barrier that can withstand the force of a forklift moving at 4 mph. OSHA specifies that every opening with a four-foot drop or more must be guarded by a rail, roller, fence, half door, or other equivalent barrier. Pedestrian Fall from Loading Dockįor businesses in compliance with OSHA rules, an open loading dock should never be a problem. Consider adding mirrors to the exterior of the dock, which can help drivers see the dock area (and any persons in it) while backing in.

Loading dock