Loading docks are busy and congested areas, and maintaining a proper safety plan can benefit your business by preventing costly and business-interrupting incidents.
Truck Restraints
When trucks enter a loading dock bay, making certain that the trailer is immobilized is critical to the safety of your workers. As lift trucks maneuver on and off trailers and pallets are added or removed, substantial weight transitions occur. When trailers are bumped they will shift unless they are securely anchored in position by some kind of restraint mechanism.
Any time a trailer is inadvertently moved, it is known as “trailer creep.” This is exceptionally unsafe for a forklift driver, as the dock plate is disconnected from the trailer. A forklift can easily fall off the dock edge, resulting in serious injury or death.
A further consideration is unintended drive offs. From time to time, truck drivers may depart from the dock before cargo transfer is finished due to oversight or misunderstanding. If a lift truck is active when a truck moves it can be fatal to the driver. Truck restraints are designed to prevent trucks from pulling away from a dock until it is safe to do so. Restraints can be as simple as wheel chocks, or they can be as elaborate as hydraulic hooks that tie into doors and dock levelers through interlock safety mechanisms.
Trailer Restraints (Dock Locks)
Trailer restraint mechanisms are in essence hooks that latch onto the ICC bar on a trailer to hold it solidly in place. These devices can be basic, mechanically operated systems or more advanced electric or hydraulic configurations.
Oftentimes, restraints are directly tied to the signal lights and dock leveler on a loading dock bay, so that they can’t be detached if the door is ajar, the dock leveler is extended or the truck driver has a “no go” signal from the dock operator. Having safeguards like these can be advantageous on any high traffic loading dock and can greatly improve safety and productivity.
Wheel Chocks
Using wheel chocks is probably the simplest way to keep a vehicle stable. Why not just use chocks instead of fancy restraint systems? Although plain wheel chocks can easily hold a vehicle in place, there are some additional risks:
- Forgetful workers can sometimes fail to place chocks correctly
- Uneven surfaces can make chocks fail if they aren’t placed correctly
- Chocks can get misplaced, and busy employees may forego them rather than fall behind
- Setting wheel chocks often requires workers to get down near the pavement where drivers can’t see them, endangering the worker if the truck moves
Dock Restraints Near Me
If you would like to learn more about dock locks or additional dock safety equipment, contact a dock and door expert at Welch Equipment today.
