Weekly Safety Meeting – Loading Dock Safety

Loading docks are busy areas. Trucks, trailers, and forklifts move throughout loading 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 and focus on safety training, the proper equipment, and strict observation and supervision of work tasks.

Safety starts at the dock approach, so make sure it is in good repair, free from potholes and large cracks. Mark trailer lanes and positions clearly for easy backing, parking, and spotting. Ensure that chocks and dock bumpers are present and in good repair. Ideally, dock bumpers should be made of fire-resistant materials to avoid fires caused by trailer lights. To decrease exposure to diesel exhaust, ensure that trucks do not idle at the dock.

Loading Dock Hazards

• Forklifts overturning;

• Employees being hit by forklifts and other powered trucks;

• Slips, trips, and falls;

• Trailer creep;

• Unsecured loads;

• Debris on floor;

• Chemical splash;

• Material handling injuries (lifting); and

• Unguarded machinery

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.

  o Itisveryimportanttosecuresmallitemsthatmightfallthroughtheoverheadguardofalift 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 that 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. Serious injuries and fatalities while loading and unloading trucks are preventable by following prescribed procedures and the use of proper equipment.

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