Loading docks are high traffic areas, and having a proper safety plan can benefit your business by preventing expensive and business-interrupting mistakes.
Truck Restraints
When trailers are maneuvered into a dock bay, ensuring that the trailer is immobilized is crucial to the safety of your labor force. As lift trucks move in and out of trailers and cargo is added or removed, substantial weight transitions ensue. When trailers are bumped they will shift unless they are firmly fastened in place by some kind of restraint mechanism.
When a trailer is accidentally moved, it is known as “trailer creep.” This is exceptionally hazardous for a forklift operator, as the dock board is separated from the trailer. A lift truck can easily go over the side of the loading dock, resulting in serious injury or death.
Another problem is unintended drive offs. From time to time, truck drivers may depart from the dock before loading or unloading is completed due to oversight or misunderstanding. If a forklift is engaged during an unscheduled departure it can be catastrophic. Truck restraints are designed to prevent trucks from pulling away from a loading dock until it is advisable to do so. Restraints can be as basic as wheel chocks, or they can be as elaborate as hydraulic hooks that tie into dock levelers and doors through interlock security mechanisms.
Trailer Restraints (Dock Locks)
Trailer restraint mechanisms are basically hooks that latch onto the ICC bar on a trailer to hold it tightly in place. These restraints can be simple, mechanically operated systems or more complex hydraulic and/or electric configurations.
Many times, truck restraints are directly tied to the signal lights and dock leveler on a dock bay, so that they can’t be disconnected if the door is in the open position, the dock leveler is in use or the truck driver hasn’t been instructed to proceed by the dock operator. Safety features like these are extremely beneficial on any high traffic loading dock and can substantially reduce safety incidents.
Wheel Chocks
Wheel chocks are the simplest way to keep a trailer in place. So why use a restraint system instead of wheel chocks? While ordinary wheel chocks can work well, there are many risks:
- Absent minded workers may sometimes fail to put chocks in place
- Uneven surfaces can cause chocks to slip or not function properly
- Chocks can get lost, and busy employees may forego them rather than fall behind
- Placing wheel chocks may require workers to get low to the ground where truck drivers can’t see them, putting the employee in harm’s way if the truck moves
Dock Restraints Near Me
To find out more about vehicle restraints or additional loading dock safety equipment, get in touch with a dock and door professional at Welch Equipment today.
