Just close your keeps and envisage a loading dock. I am pretty sure the hustle and bustle and the constant horn sounds of forklifts and trailers will come to your mind. Loading docks are places that are known for playing a key role in the success of all sorts of businesses. But you’ll be surprised to know that as much as 25 percent of accounted warehouse injuries take place on loading docks.
Since these transition areas are full of pallet trucks, forklifts, pallet jacks, loading bars, and other key equipment, it is crucial to recognize the hazards and follow safety practices to prevent accidents. The most fundamental thing is to keep the loading dock organized with the help of tools such as Yellow Rack Wall Mount, which you can use to store load bars, straps, shoring beams, jack rods, and many other pieces of equipment.
Below are some ways you can keep loading docks safe. Let’s take a look at them.
In order to facilitate the movement of shipments and materials on and off delivery trucks and vehicles, loading docks are raised to as much as 4 to 5 feet, depending on the need, so that bridging devices can be positioned.
According to OSHA Loading Dock Standards, docks must have certain protocols in place to be wary of fall hazard at an opening, regardless of how much the dock is elevated. Key barriers such as railings, scissor gates, chains should be carefully positioned whenever the overhead is open and the fall hazard is revealed
We all have heard of trailer creep, which is the separation of the trailer from the dock. For safety’s sake, it is required that trailer should be properly secured with the help of wheel chocks or dock locks
Another way of securing loading docks is using sufficient lighting. Often trailers do not have interior lighting in them. This might force you to do loading and unloading in low light conditions. You can become aware of potential accidents and hazards by using lights on forklifts and other lighting sources in the loading dock
Forklifts play a very important role in docks by moving materials from one place to another. It helps remove the risk of employee injury, which is often caused when materials are moved manually. But forklifts are useful as long as they are operated with caution and only by certified operators. To avoid accidents, operators must use lights, horns, and seat belts properly
Since there are so many equipments, vehicles, and people in loading docks, it becomes essential that safety practices are properly followed so that dangers of accidents and injuries can be brought down significantly.
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