Loading docks are the main entry points for all the goods distributed in markets and stores. Practically every product that you can buy have, at one point, passed through some busy loading docks. There’s no doubt that docks or bays located in freight terminals and warehouses play a vital role in commerce.
With all the hustle and bustle happening in loading docks, it shouldn’t surprise you that they’re a hotbed for injuries and accidents; countless dangers could occur in a typical dock. Two of the most common causes of accidents on the docks are slippery floors and poorly designed ledges that can pose fatal fall hazards. Of course, these are hardly the only safety issues in loading bays. Other hazards can be caused by vehicles loading and unloading goods in the docks. Collisions can happen and compromise not just the dock operations but also the goods being moved and the safety of the workers.
That said, preventing injuries and accidents in loading bays starts from designing an efficient loading dock system or building a warehouse that adheres to construction best practices. One example would be making sure that the floors in the docks and storage areas are sturdy enough to carry the weight of the items and equipment that pass through such areas.
Additionally, many of the hazards in the docks can be prevented by simply using code-compliant fixtures and materials. For instance, falls and skidding can be avoided by using proper dock stairs and levelers.
But having a well-designed facility and investing in materials and fixtures that conform with standards set by authorities are only the beginning. Ensuring loading dock safety requires a proactive approach from both the management and employees of the warehouse facility.
Here are more key precautions that you must consider to minimize, if not eliminate, accidents and injuries at the loading docks.
1) Embrace New Technology In The Workplace
The tech industry has made significant strides in developing tools and applications that improve safety in the workplace and streamline business operations. Facilities that use loading docks can adopt these new techs. For instance, some wearable devices and apps can monitor worker conditions like fatigue levels and even heart rate.
By keeping tabs on the workers’ well-being in real-time, management can adjust break times, ensuring that workers aren’t overworked. Tired workers are prone to blunders that can cause accidents and even drive down productivity. Such apps can also collect data to help the higher-ups in analyzing compliance to safety protocols.
2) Ensure Smooth On-Site Vehicular Traffic
Driveways within the warehouse premises should allow for the smooth flow of traffic and easy maneuverability for delivery trucks and other vehicles. The same goes for the warehouse interiors, where forklifts are always on the go. Tight spaces may cause collisions, if not damage the building structures that house the loading bays, thus compromise worker safety.
Improving vehicular traffic in warehouses and other facilities that use docks can lessen accidents and allow for more elbow room should emergencies occur.
3) Keep Floors Dry
As mentioned, slipping is a common accident in warehouse loading bays. To prevent that from happening, warehouse companies may adopt measures that keep surfaces dry all the time.
One thing that you can do is install doors or barriers that keep rain and snow out of the docks. If the bays are used mainly for wet goods, installing rubber matting can lessen the chances of the floors becoming slippery.
4) Invest In Proper Lighting
How can dock workers perform their jobs properly if they can’t see what they’re doing? Busy areas, like loading docks, should always have good lighting. Apart from improving productivity, having well-lighted loading bays can help enhance security and safety. For one thing, workers will be able to spot hazards and prevent errors from happening if they can see clearly.
5) Install Proper Signages And Warning Signals
Even the most experienced or trained employees can forget things. The best way to keep them on their toes is to alert them to potential hazards. All the heavy lifting and stacking going on in the docks can make workers forget where they stand. To keep them from falling off the loading bay, make sure to paint the floors with warning signs to let them know how close they are to the dock edges. Forklift drivers should also know where to position their equipment.
To prevent collisions and facilitate the smooth flow of trucks and other vehicles, it may help to install traffic signals outside the warehouse. Speed limits and directional arrows can keep drivers from being reckless while letting them know where to go while inside the premises.
Safety reminders like turning off the engine while the truck is being loaded or unloaded can prevent it from accidentally rolling away from the dock, creating a gap between the trailer and the loading bay. When it happens, it can pose fall hazards for the workers. Warnings about flammable and poisonous substances should also be part of the warehouse safety standards.
6) Facilitate Driver And Worker Communication
In addition to putting up proper signages and signaling systems in place, allow truck drivers and dock workers to communicate effectively. Two-way radios can help. Furthermore, it would be best if you left nothing to guesswork. For example, when the loading or unloading job is complete, the persons concerned should know when to remove the clamps that secure the trucks. It helps if the workers and equipment operators are on the same page about which items to stack together or when to take steps in the work process.
7) Review All Tools And Equipment Before Use
Giving all the tools and equipment a proper once-over before use can help prevent accidents. Are the mechanical lifts adequately charged? Have the workers checked if all the power sources are damage-free? Are the dock stairs tightly secured?
While you’re doing the inspection, it also helps to check on the cleanliness of the docks. A clean working environment is always a step in the right direction towards safety.
Final Thoughts
Loading docks are busy areas. On top of having an efficient workflow, dock management must ensure the safety of all workers and the truck drivers who enter and exit the facility. Any blunder or inattentiveness can cause injuries and fatal accidents.
With proper training and safety procedures, dangers that could occur in the dock area can be prevented. Above all, it’s crucial to follow the best practices in loading dock operation and invest in the right equipment–from dock stairs to sturdy flooring materials.