Loading Dock Safety
FACTS: 7% of forklift accidents occur when a lift truck is driven off a loading dock. 70% of all reported accidents could have been avoided with proper safety precautions
Here are a few loading dock safety precautions that can help reduce the risk of dock incident or accident.
- After parking in a dock, make sure your brakes set and wheel blocks/Chalks are placed to prevent movement of trucks and trailers while loading or unloading. Alternatives may include the use of dock lock mechanisms, dock monitoring systems, or other systems which will prevent the unintentional movement of trucks and trailers while being boarded with powered industrial trucks/forklifts
- When pulling out of a dock,
- make sure the dock workers are aware you are pulling out.
- ALWAYS Check your load before pulling out
- Make sure the dock door is closed/or chained off and the dock plate is removed.
- If you have a roll up door on your truck/trailer, make sure the door is down.
- If a light system is in place, only pull out of a dock if you have a green light.
- When pulling out, sound your airhorn, pull out 6-12”, set your brakes, then walk to the back of your truck and make sure all is clear for you to continue. This could prevent an accident if someone decided to put a last minute piece of freight on your truck without realizing you were about to pulling out.
- Stay out of the way of forklifts, if you need to move around a forklift, make sure the driver is aware of where you are and that they have you in sight.