Safety Tip of the Week – Loading Dock Safety

Loading docks are busy areas. Trailers, dock levelers, and rolling doors can cause pinch points and elevated docks pose a fall hazard. Workers must pay attention to these hazards.

Making Your Dock Safe

• Do not use equipment unless you are trained and authorized to do so.

• Stay out of the way of moving equipment so you do not become trapped between a forklift and the dock or crushed by a powered gate.

• Clean out dock areas periodically to remove accumulated debris.

• 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.

• Ensure that wheel chocks are used on every vehicle at your dock.

• No dock jumping; this can lead to serious ankle, knee and back injuries.

• Use plastic or metal banding to secure product to pallets for transportation or storage.

• Dock approaches should be free from potholes or deteriorated pavement.

• Ensure dock bumpers are in good repair.

• Dock leveler or dock plate capacity must be adequate for the load weight.

• Check the condition of the trailer floor.

• Check the load limit of the trailer; ensure that it is adequate for the complete load, equipment, and yourself.

• Be alert at all times in loading areas.

Loading dock safety involves everyone – warehouse personnel and truck drivers. Start and end your day safely by exercising caution during loading and unloading.

Safety on the dock…Be sure to use those chocks!!