Employee Safety in the Loading Dock Industry

According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration), loading docks are considered one of the most dangerous places to work in. Statistically, there has been an estimated 35,000 injuries each year which is caused by forklifts and other powered industrial equipment alone.   

OSHA, the federal agency, suggests that companies should develop safety strategies for workers in order to prevent accidents and hazardous situations from happening. Just-Rite Equipment, the largest distributor in the world for the leading manufacturers of dock equipment, listed below some of the  common and unique safety measures that some companies should consider:    

1. The truck and trailer should be restrained by using restraining devices and wheel cocks. Installing restraints both on trucks and trailers makes a sturdy and stable position, preventing early departure and trailer creep that creates accidents due to vehicle movements. Just-Rite Equipment recommends its product model Serco SLP3000 Recessed Vehicle Restraint. It effectively controls vehicle movement by grabbing and holding the rear impact guard throughout the loading/unloading process. For other truck restraint models having unique features, you can check our website at 
https://www.justriteequip.com/products/safety-equipment-truck-restraints/truck-restraints/.  

2. Install a dock lighting system. Lighting systems give signals to the truck driver and dock loader about the status of the workloads. Using thetraditional red/green, stop/go “traffic lights” signals the driver when to enter, move the vehicle, and make a full stop. Just-Rite Equipment recommends APS Dock Strobe Maintenance Light. It provides brighter flashes and extended use. Its strobe tube light output is over 100 candelas with a three-joule flash intensity. 

For other lighting systems with unique features, you can check https://www.justriteequip.com/products/safety-equipment-truck-restraints/safety-lighting/.     

3. Use barrier devices on every loading truck. Barrier devices on trucks will prevent the trailer from accidental rolling over and shifting positions. When such accidents do happen, workers may fall off the dock and injury occurs. Just-Rite Equipment recommends product model Dock Guard™ Safety Barrier Lip. It protects personnel, goods and equipment from accidentally rolling off the dock. For other barrier devices with unique features, you can check https://www.justriteequip.com/products/safety-equipment-truck-restraints/impact-barriers/.

4. Use assorted protective systems. The demands of ensuring safety have become more complicated; by using different protective systems like safety gate devices, anti-impact tracks, sentry rails, track sentries, track guards, and other protective systems, loading docks would be much safer place to work. Just-Rite Equipment recommends product model DGBM Serco Dock-Guard Safety Gate. In a closed position, it protects personnel, goods and equipment from inadvertently falling off the loading dock through an open dock door. 

For other protective systems with unique features, you can check https://www.justriteequip.com/products/safety-equipment-truck-restraints/protective-systems/.

In addition, below are some suggested general safety measures to practice:  Call Just-Rite Equipment  for an on-site evaluation.

1. Check the personnel’s documentations as to who handles heavy machinery with regard to OSHA trainings and authorizations.

2. Install cameras around security perimeters; besides protection, they also help to save money on insurance costs.

3. Have Just-Rite Equipment  reassess the overall safety of your loading dock. There could possibly still be lapses and shortcomings that could even save you more money.    

4.Invest in hiring the best people ideally suited for the position, if possible with OSHA certifications and authorizations and with years of experience.  

Contact Just-Rite Equipment now and make that reservation happen at https://www.justriteequip.com/contact/, or you may directly contact us for a service request: https://www.justriteequip.com/service-request/.

Additionally, our service offices at Sterling, VA (703) 450-2800; Baltimore, MD (410) 536-0505 and Jamesburg, NJ (609) 448-6550, with our service technicians, are ready to answer all your safety docking needs, including inquiries with regard to Sterling truck restraints, protective systems for loading docks in Baltimore, protective systems for loading docks in Jamesburg and other safety products.

You may also personally visit our service offices at Sterling, Virginia; Baltimore, Maryland; and Jamesburg, New Jersey. For other details, click on our website at https://www.justriteequip.com/ .