Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Recommendations for improvement safety in dock operations
1) Use portable jack stands in addition to the forward landing gear of spotted trailers when loading and unloading to prevent potential tipping.
2) Make sure lift trucks used to load/unload trailers are equipped with spotlights, use dock mounted lights to supplement the lift truck lights or when manually loading/unloading trailers.
3) Side shifts as standard equipment of forklifts to increase productivity and prevent product damage and promote safety by allowing the lift truck operator to perform the task with fewer movements and eliminates the need to ride right against the wall of a trailer.
4) Have all equipment maintained in accordance with manufacture's recommendations.
5) Do not allow pedestrians in trailers while a lift truck is loading/unloading. The likelihood of being crushed by a forklift is greater in tight spaces.
6) Perform a visual inspection of the trailer prior to driving a lift truck into it.
7) Caution is advised when using lift trucks to unload straight trucks (small delivery trucks). Make sure the straight truck has the capacity to handle the weight of the lift truck and loads.
8) Use physical barriers at open edges of docks and ramps and to protect pedestrian walkways.
9) Use paint or tape to designate staging areas, through aisles, and loading lanes. Make sure employees recognize the designations.
10) Keep the dock areas clean and free of debris. Loading areas should be completely swept at least once per day or once per shift, large pieces of debris such as broken pieces of pallets should be picked up immediately.
11) Designate areas for storage of used pallets, containers, and trash. Also limit the stacked height of used pallets and containers.
12) Limit the stacked height of materials in staging areas, especially if working around the material. Also leave sufficient access aisles between rows of staged material if employees inspect or access the material.
13) Use traffic cones or portable barricades to temporarily block off staging lanes where pedestrians are working.
14) Special attention should be given when large loads are being handled that may obstruct the view of the lift truck operators.
15) If you require your employees to install or remove security seals for truckloads and containers you should designate a safe area away from the dock to do this. Never allow an employee to stand between a trailer and the dock.
16) When loading small vans used by small parcel carriers, do this at a street level dock or a specially designed ramped dock (you can add ramps to existing raised docks). If you must use standard raised docks, temporarily or permanently blocking off adjacent docks to eliminate risk from trailers backing into areas where people are working. Use the dock closest to the building access and use chocks behind the van’s wheels to prevent the van from rolling back potentially crushing someone between the van and the dock.
17) Instruct employees not to climb on docks or to place any part of their bodies outside of the dock door.
18) If employees need to climb down into the dock area make sure proper ladders or stairs are provided.
19) Train all employees that work in dock areas on the hazards. Do not make the mistake of limiting training to lift truck operators only.
20) Enforce compliance to all procedures. Plant safety is directly related to the enforcement of safety procedures.
:)
7:53 AM