Loading docks are heavily used and potentially dangerous areas, and maintaining a proper safety plan can ensure that your business minimizes costly and business-interrupting mistakes.
Truck Restraints
As trailers enter a loading dock bay, making certain that the truck is immobilized is essential to the safety of your employees. As forklifts move on and off trailers and goods are added or removed, substantial weight transitions ensue. As trailers are bumped they tend to shift unless they are safely tethered in position by some kind of restraint system.
When a trailer is inadvertently moved, it is known as “trailer creep.” This is exceedingly dangerous for a forklift driver, as the dock leveler is separated from the trailer. A forklift can easily fall off the dock edge, ending up in severe injury or death.
A further problem is unintended drive offs. Sometimes drivers will pull away from the loading dock before cargo transfer is concluded due to oversight or miscommunication. If a lift truck is active when a trailer pulls away it can be fatal to the driver. Truck restraints are designed to impede trailers from departing from a loading dock until it is advisable to proceed. Restraints can be as simple as wheel chocks, or they can be as elaborate as hydraulic hooks that pair with doors and dock levelers through interlock safety mechanisms.
Trailer Restraints (Dock Locks)
Trailer restraint systems are basically hooks that grasp the ICC bar on a trailer to hold it firmly in place. These devices can be simple, mechanically operated systems or more advanced hydraulic and/or electric configurations.
Oftentimes, restraints are directly tied to the signal lights and dock leveler on a dock bay, so that they can’t be detached if the door is open, the dock leveler is engaged or the truck driver has a “no go” signal from the dock operator. These safety features are invaluable 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. Wouldn’t it make more sense to just use wheel chocks instead of an expensive restraint system? While ordinary wheel chocks can work well, there are some additional risks:
- Inattentive employees can sometimes neglect to put chocks in place
- Uneven surfaces can make chocks fail if they aren’t placed correctly
- Wheel chocks can get misplaced, and busy workers may forego them rather than fall behind
- Setting wheel chocks often requires workers to get down near the ground where drivers can’t see them, endangering the worker if the truck moves
Dock Restraints Near Me
To find out more about vehicle restraints or additional dock safety equipment, contact a dock and door expert at Welch Equipment today.
