Loading docks are high traffic areas, and having a good safety plan can ensure that your business minimizes costly and disruptive mistakes.
Truck Restraints
As trucks are maneuvered into a loading dock bay, making sure the truck is immobilized is crucial to the safety of your labor force. As lift trucks move on and off trailers and pallets are added or removed, substantial weight fluctuations occur. When trailers are jostled they will shift unless they are firmly anchored in position by some form of restraint system.
Any time a trailer is accidentally moved, it is known as “trailer creep.” This is exceptionally unsafe for a forklift driver, as the dock leveler is detached from the trailer. A lift truck can quickly plummet from the side of the loading dock, resulting in severe bodily harm or death.
A further concern is unintended departures. Sometimes drivers will pull away from the loading dock before loading or unloading is completed due to error or miscommunication. If a lift truck is on board when a truck moves it can be fatal to the driver. Truck restraints are engineered to impede trailers from departing from a loading dock until it is advisable to proceed. Restraints can be as basic as wheel chocks, or they can be as advanced as hydraulic hooks that tie into doors and dock levelers through interlock safety systems.
Trailer Restraints (Dock Locks)
Trailer restraint systems are in essence hooks that grab the ICC bar on a trailer frame to hold it tightly in place. These restraints can be basic, mechanically operated systems or more complex hydraulic and/or electric configurations.
Many times, truck restraints are directly tied to the door, signaling lights and dock leveler on a loading dock bay, so that they can’t be disengaged if the door is in the open position, the dock leveler is in use or the truck driver has a “no go” signal from the dock operator. Safety features like these are extremely beneficial on any active loading dock and can improve safety immeasurably.
Wheel Chocks
Wheel chocks are the simplest way to keep a trailer in place. Why not just use chocks instead of fancy restraint systems? While ordinary wheel chocks can do the job, there are some additional risks:
- Forgetful employees may sometimes neglect to place chocks correctly
- A sloped or uneven approach can cause chocks to slip or not function properly
- Wheel chocks can get misplaced, and busy employees may choose to not use them instead of falling behind
- Placing wheel chocks often requires employees 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 loading dock safety equipment, contact a dock and door expert at Welch Equipment today.
