Safety on the loading dock

Loading docks are one of the nation’s key points of commerce – and perhaps one of its most unsung. In 2018, this part of the U.S. freight network handled an estimated 18.6 billion tons of goods worth nearly $19 trillion, according the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

That same year, nearly 6,600 people missed work because of injuries and illnesses incurred on loading docks, dock plates and ramps. That’s the highest number since the Bureau of Labor Statistics adopted its current method for classifying the sources of injuries and illnesses in 2011.

So, how can employers keep loading dock workers safe?

Help drive safety

Collisions and backovers are an ever-present danger at loading docks, where vehicles are entering and exiting. Help prevent these risks by posting “flow of traffic markings” and enforcing speed limits, said David Consider, senior workplace safety consultant and trainer at the National Safety Council.

Consider’s other recommendations include painting the edges of loading docks, staging areas and loading/unloading areas to enhance visibility, and installing a system of lights to communicate to drivers.

For example, a green light can indicate it’s safe to back into a loading bay, while a red light would imply it’s unsafe or the bay isn’t ready for use.

Once at the bay, drivers should shut off their engine and engage their brakes. This can lessen the chances of two loading dock issues:

Drive-aways: These occur when a vehicle operator pulls away from a dock while workers or forklift operators are inside or near a trailer.

Trailer creep: When a truck trailer slowly inches away from a dock, it creates a gap that workers or forklifts may fall through. This gap is typically created by the force of a forklift or other heavy equipment moving in and out of a trailer.

One way to prevent drive-aways, Consider said, is requiring drivers to check in and stay in a designated area or waiting room while their trailer is loaded or unloaded. This keeps drivers from accessing prohibited areas of the facility or areas where they could get hit by another vehicle or piece of heavy equipment.

To protect against trailer creep, experts recommend the use of wheel chocks or vehicle restraints to keep the trailer secure against the dock.

In addition, worn or defective trailer landing gear, designed to keep trailers level and secure when not attached to a vehicle, can present a significant hazard. If one or more legs falter, the trailer could tip and injure or kill anyone inside, especially operators of forklifts or other powered industrial trucks.

One approach to prevent this is to keep the trailer coupled to its vehicle, or tractor, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health and Freight Transport Association Ltd., state in their “Loading Dock Safety Guide,” published in 2012.

If a trailer isn’t attached to a tractor, Consider advises using an added support, such as a trailer prop or fixed jacks, to support the landing gear. He recommends inspecting the landing gear before loading or unloading begins, adding: “If there are any concerns as to safety, do not proceed.”

Start at the dock door

At dock doors, a seal or shelter will help keep the effects of weather, such as slippery walking surfaces caused by rain or snow, from impacting workers.

“Generally, the more adjustable the canopy, the better the fit,” IOSH and FTA’s safety guide states. “However, adjustable systems generally require more maintenance and may be more prone to damage.”

Dock plates, dockboards and dock levelers are designed to bridge the gap between the trailer and the dock to ensure workers and forklifts can safely load or unload trailers. Problems can arise, however, if these items are unable to support the weight of moving equipment, materials and people, or if they aren’t properly maintained.

Consider said employers should make sure dock plates and levelers are stable and properly placed, and that loads don’t exceed their weight capacity. The Material Handling Institute – a material handling and logistics association representing warehouse racking manufacturers – says that dock levelers, for example, typically have a capacity between 25,000 and 80,000 pounds, but other factors should be taken into account, including:

• The heaviest load that workers will move
• The weight of the heaviest forklift or material handling equipment, including attachments
• Whether a powered industrial truck has three or four wheels
• The size of a powered industrial truck’s tires
• Number of loads per shift or per day

The OSHA 1910.28 standard requires the use of fall protection devices such as a guardrail system, a safety net or personal fall protection systems if an employee could fall 4 feet or more from an open or exposed dock door or opening.

For dock platforms lower than 4 feet, it’s still recommended to have a visual barrier with a prominently visible color or some other protection.

“It is always advisable to go above and beyond the regulations, as long as it doesn’t create additional hazards or concerns,” Consider said. “A good rule of thumb is to guard any fall edge where a forklift could drive off or a person could slip, trip or fall, leading to an injury or possibly death.”

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