Loading dock environments can be dangerous for workers. The high cost of injuries and accidents has forced industrial facilities to reevaluate the way they approach safety in their operations, so they can keep their personnel, and equipment safe from injury or damage.
However, regardless of how thoroughly you supplement loading dock safety requirements with in-house programs and training; or how diligently you follow the safety training requirements that have been set by OSHA, chances are your loading dock safety efforts might still just not be good enough.
To assist you in creating a more safe loading dock area, here is a list of 13 things that can help increase safety:
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Make sure all personnel are trained on dock safety. Establish dock safety rules and make sure they are understood and followed.
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Only allow authorized or OSHA trained personnel to operate your forklifts or pallet trucks. Without proper training, accidents can happen due to improper use or operation.
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Periodically inspect and make sure your dock area is clear of debris, and emergency equipment is not blocked or damaged.
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Make sure to inspect truck trailer floors prior to driving your forklift or pallet jack into them.
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Ensure that locking devices, such as vehicle restraints, are used on every truck trailer parked at the loading dock.
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Make sure the dock plates and dock boards you using are rated properly for the load capacities and type of equipment you are using.
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Make sure that all dock levelers are returned to their stored positions after use, to avoid voids in the floor that can cause accidents.
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Install stop and go light communications systems, to let forklift drivers know it is safe to enter the truck and truck drivers when it is safe to leave the dock.
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Install loading dock seals or dock shelters to help prevent rain and snow from getting on the dock, which can cause it to become slippery.
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Paint the dock edge a bright color so everyone is aware where the dock edge is.
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Establish a regularly scheduled inspection program to examine all palletized material for defective pallets, which can result in damaged product or injury to personnel. If found to be defective, move product to a safe pallet.
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Use plastic / metal banding or stretch wrap to help secure all pallet loads before storing or transporting.
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Make is clear that dock jumping is not allowed, as it can cause serious ankle, knee and back injuries.
