Hectic activity in a loading dock area, along with numerous physical hazards, can lead to serious injuries and possible death.
It is important to be proactive in identifying potential hazards, such as:
• Congestion and traffic.
• Inadequate lighting.
• Rolling conveyors, doors and moving parts that can cause pinch points.
• Slips, trips and falls.
• Equipment in poor working order.
• Lack of safe working procedures.
• Lifting devices, trucks, rolling conveyors, doors and other moving equipment.
One common loading dock accident occurs when truck drivers mistakenly pull away while a forklift is still inside the trailer. Another problem is “trailer creep,” which happens when trailers gradually move away from the dock because of the ongoing impact and momentum of forklifts travelling in and around them.
In both cases, the first step in accident prevention is to secure the trailer to the dock with a locking device on either the trailer’s rear impact guard (RIG) or rear wheel. Many facilities still use chocks in front of trailer tires as a means of restraint, but these might not be adequate in all situations.
Other restraints feature a full rotating hook that automatically locks to the trailer’s RIG, using the backing trailer’s energy. Most RIG-based restraints incorporate communications systems that indicate when they are engaged and when it is safe to load and unload the trailer. RIG-based restraints also don’t work in all situations, however. For example, the retail, beverage and grocery industries have docks that handle a large volume of trailers and have hydraulic gates. They typically can’t use RIG-based restraints because those gates block access to the RIG.
Safe operation of forklifts must be maintained. Proper training and evaluation of those who use them is essential.
Here are some more important ways to stay safe:
• Help ensure the area is kept as clean and orderly as possible.
• Stairways and steps must be in good condition, swept or shovelled regularly.
• Wear proper footwear and other protective equipment as required (eyewear, hard hat, gloves, hearing protection).
• Refrain from horseplay and moving too quickly. Avoid jumping from elevation.
• Shrink-wrap loose product for transport or storage. It is very important to secure small items that might fall through the overhead guard of a lift truck.
• Make sure that dock plates and boards are designed for the loads and lift trucks being used. (Dock plates are steel or aluminum ramps used to bridge the gap between the truck trailer and the loading dock; dock boards are a smaller and more portable equivalent.)
• Have a signal person available to direct vehicles backing up.
• Make sure vehicle engines are turned off and the driver is out of the cab when loading or unloading is taking place.
• Keep loading dock doors closed when not in use.
• Inspect the floors of trailers and trucks before a forklift or pallet jack is driven onto them.
• Always inspect the landing gear and place jack stands under trailers at the dock.
• Always make sure dock levelers are returned to the stored position after being used below the dock.
