HOW TO AVOID WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS AT A LOADING DOCK
A loading dock is a place where vehicles, goods and people come and go. It is a true hive of activity, with warehouse workers stacking, loading and unloading, assisted by forklift trucks that place and remove goods. The likelihood of an accident occurring in this busy environment is high, especially given that a loading bay is often 1 to 1.5 m off the ground. While this may not sound like much, it is high enough to be dangerous. Forklifts, for example, could miss a turn or enter the dock at excessive speed, causing them to slide off the dock. Employees could take a misstep and fall into the opening. Goods can fall off, too.
When loading or unloading goods on a dock, it is essential to identify the hazards. These include incoming lorries, the plant infrastructure and the personnel on the dock. For the best approach to take, read on below.
RISKS IN AND AROUND LOADING DOCKS
Whether it is a dock for lorries or a mobile dock, it is essential to consider the specific risks for:
- Lorry manoeuvres
- Traffic on the dock
- Infrastructure at the dock entrance
Too often, loading and unloading is done on autopilot. At the same time, the loading and unloading process tends to not yet be (fully) automated. The manual work is repetitive and the pressure to act as quickly and efficiently as possible is high. But haste and urgency are rarely good.... Inattention and carelessness can lead to accidents.
Problems may also arise if the dock door is open. People or goods can fall from heights of 1 to 1.5 metres. The lorry driver may also lose control during the loading process. There is often a height difference between the dock and the lorry. This also creates hazards during the loading and unloading process.
Finally, hazards may arise if people are unaware of the applicable safety regulations.
CONSEQUENCES OF ACCIDENTS AT LOADING DOCKS
Driver error, difficult weather conditions or mechanical problems: accidents are always unpleasant and unexpected. They can result in significant personal injury and/or property damage.
Injured workers may be unable to work after falling, and there are also financial implications to consider due to damage to infrastructure and buildings. Without the presence of physical protection at dock doors and loading dock entrances, infrastructure and buildings are vulnerable. Damage to doors and gates have to be repaired, costing time and money.
Tips for preventing loading dock accidents:
Set clear regulations
Establishing a safety protocol is a mandatory first step for all companies that receive transshipment vehicles at their warehouse or factory. This information system allows you to assess the potential risks associated with loading and unloading goods. As a result, you can analyse your company's transshipment regulations and establish key procedures. With these procedures in place, you can act in the right way when loading and unloading goods. Employees follow an established method, which significantly reduces the risk of accidents.
Fixed procedures also provide structure and clarity, making implementation and follow-up much easier. Loading dock management is a preventive system designed to ensure the safe transportation of goods. It focuses on the control and management of vehicles from the loading dock to their arrival at a logistics warehouse. At the same time, this set of precautions makes it possible to protect people, infrastructure and buildings, thereby preventing accidents related to the loading and/or unloading of goods at the dock.
Even before the goods are loaded onto the lorries, there are certain rules for checking vehicles and the cargo they are carrying:
- Mechanical checks
- Verification of vehicle documents
- Positioning and securing loads
- Compliance with the load capacity of the lorry
Inform and train the staff
Employees must have the right skills to perform their loading and unloading duties. In other words, it is important that they have the right training. It is also important that they know and follow the safety procedures. A safety presentation is a good way to communicate the company's safety rules. Don't stop at just one session, though: effectiveness lies in repetition and in checking that people are following the rules.
Ensure clear communication about loading dock safety. Does everyone speak the same language? If not, communicate safety measures in every language present.
Secure the area around the loading dock
It starts with clearly mapping the area around the loading dock. Safety equipment is highly recommended to prevent loading accidents, i.e. personal protective equipment such as helmets and safety shoes. Of course, this is not all. Transport equipment should be checked regularly for wear and tear to prevent accidents and damage to infrastructure. There are also several tools that can be used to increase safety on and around the loading dock. One example is a traffic light system that prevents lorries from driving away during the loading and unloading process.
Signage is necessary, but not sufficient on its own. More drastic safety measures are needed. Every day, forklifts and trucks manoeuvre within inches of loading docks and automatic dock doors. These doors are vulnerable, and the slightest impact can result in huge repair costs.
It is essential to use safety barriers together with signage. Polymer safety barriers are the best option here. Unlike steel, polymer is flexible and resilient, which prevents damage to both the door and the vehicle that collides with it. An added benefit is that polymer returns to its original shape, so the product does not need to be replaced if it suffers a minor bump. What's more, polymer safety barriers are durable and cost effective. Discover more benefits of polymer safety barriers here.
Special types of polymer safety barriers have been developed specifically to protect loading docks. One is the GOAL POST. This is one of the most effective forms of crash protection for dock doors. The design consists of two tall posts with height limiters between them that are placed directly in front of a dock door. Bollards are another type. These are placed on either side of the door to prevent a forklift truck from colliding with the door rails.
Barriers and handrails are also often installed for the purpose of protecting pedestrians. The DOCK GATE is used as a safety gate to prevent goods from falling off the loading dock. DOCK BUMPERS are used to protect loading bays from manoeuvring trucks.
GET IN TOUCH
If your warehouse has loading docks and electric doors, it is well worth investing in safety solutions to prevent damage. In addition to the solutions mentioned above, there are many other safety products available.
