I'd like to share with you something that happened to me.
I was driving a lift truck and unloading a trailer at a dock when the worst thing imaginable happened.
The tractor and the trailer left the dock unexpectedly causing me and my lift
truck to drive right off the edge. Fortunately I did something right that day.
I fastened my seat belt when I got into the lift truck. That one simple
action saved my life. It kept my body within the steel frame of the lift truck
when I drove off the edge of the dock. So what's the lesson here?
Well actually there are many lessons. First of all don't leave your safety in
the hands of someone else. Take charge. The person who has the most to lose
working at the loading dock needs to take steps to ensure the tractor and the
trailer do not leave the dock prematurely. How can this be done?
Well, first let's talk about wheel chocks. Wheel chocks are triangular wedge shaped
objects usually made of hard rubber. They get inserted in front of the trailers
rear wheels to prevent the trailer from moving during loading and unloading.
But you can't rely solely on wheel chocks to prevent a trailer from moving because
they sometimes fail. On slippery pavement wheel chocks can slide when the truck
attempts to move rendering them useless. Or the lift truck moving in and out of
the trailer can cause trailer creep. This is basically short movements that pull
the trailer away from the loading dock. Trailer creep can occur even when the
chocks are in place creating a gap between the trailer and the dock.
We recommend wheel chocks be used as a support to other vehicle restraint
solutions such as mechanical restraint systems. This is a mechanical device that
is permanently installed at the outside of the loading dock and consists of a hook
that connects to the trailer's ICC bar. The lower metal bar at the back end of
the trailer. This device will keep the trailer locked in place if the driver
tries to leave prematurely. Signal lights situated both inside and outside of the
loading dock usually support the mechanical restraint system.
When the light is red on the outside it glasses green on the inside of the
loading dock. This is a signal to the truck driver that the dock lock is engaged.
And to the forklift operator this is a signal that it is safe to
enter the trailer. When the outside light flashes green the driver knows it is
safe to check in with the office before departing. A more cost-effective option
involves disconnecting what is called the glad-hand or the air hose between
the tractor and the trailer. In this situation a glad-hand lock prevents the
hoses from being connected for a time. This process releases air from the
trailer brakes essentially locking them to minimize the chance that the tractor
will pull the trailer away prematurely. One last solution involves the driver of
the tractor giving the keys to the warehouse worker who is loading or
unloading the trailer. When this process has been completed the keys are returned
so the driver can leave the dock. There are two other essential points to keep
in mind when loading and unloading a trailer.
Inspect the inside of the trailer to ensure the floor is not damaged and the capacity of the trailer
will support the weight of the load, the lift truck and the operator.
Secure trailers that are detached from the tractor with a support jack at the front
end, before the lift truck enters. This prevents the trailer from tipping
upwards when the load is removed from the front of the trailer.
This is especially important for smaller pup and reefer trailers. Don't let what happened
to me happen in your workplace. Remember, the person with the most to lose if safe
practices are not followed, is the worker who loads or unloads the truck.
Encourage your lift truck drivers to take safety into their own hands.
I'm Chuck Leon and this has been your health and safety tip from Workplace Safety & Prevention Services.
For more information visit WSPS.CA