5 Loading Dock Safety Rules You Need to Follow

Ask loading dock workers about the risks associated with loading docks, the chances are you will find most of them uttering a single answer: there are many, exposing workers to a number of life-threatening hazards.

According to a few reports, thousands of workers get injured at loading docks every year. Those reports further state that more than 25% of the warehouse accidents and near misses happen at loading docks. However, these mishaps are avoidable by following some safety rules including OSHA rack safety. If you own a warehouse loading dock or work there, here are a few safety measures you should always take to prevent loading dock accidents:

• Mark floors to indicate where walking is safe: you probably didn’t know this but the most common hazards that take place at loading bay involve workers getting hit by forklifts or other equipment. But you can prevent such accidents by clearly marking the floor with yellow tape so that workers know the safe walking area.

• Incorporate visual dock communication: if you can install traditional red/green or stop/go light signals to inform vehicle drivers about the right time to enter and stop, you can prevent many hazards. These lights offer effective communication to drivers on-site, which eventually reduces loading docks incidents.

• Use safety racks on every truck: OSHA rack safety is meant to ensure that bars, loads stored inside the truck pose no harm to workers while unloading. Many innovative safety racks are available these days made for trucks. The unexpected separation of the trailer from the truck is another major reason for mishap at loading docks.

• Clean loading dock area regularly: slipping or tripping because of water, oil spillage, and other elements on the floor is common at loading docks. However, by cleaning the area regularly, you can significantly reduce the frequency of slips, falls, and trips.

• Put padding on sharp edges: during loading and unloading at the dock, workers run into uncovered sharp edges and injure themselves. This is why covering those sharp edges can easily prevent injuries and ensure safe shipment of the products.

In a nutshell
Whether you own a loading dock or work there, it’s always best to incorporate safety practice including OSHA rack safety to make sure you no accidents occur at your site. For the best quality safety equipment and rack, you can look out for suppliers who specialize in that equipment while meeting OSHA compliance. However, it’s crucial to choose the right supplier.

Author’s bio: The author is a blogger and this article is about loading dock safety rules.