Loading Dock Safety Tips

The loading dock is an essential component of ’s business, but despite its daily use, it still presents serious safety hazards. There are risks for pinch point injuries from rolling doors, falls from elevated docks and truck beds, and accidental collisions between equipment and workers, among other injury-causing hazards. Keep this loading dock safety list in mind for your California warehouse business. Contact GDI Insurance Agency, Inc. for your complete warehouse insurance package. 209-634-2929

Infographic created by Verduyn Tarps

How To Avoid Injury on the Dock

All workers must be alert to these hazards to avoid injury. To stay safe at your facility’s loading dock, consider these useful recommendations:

• Always wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and steel-toed boots with grip soles. Wear earmuffs or plugs where required.
• Make sure trailer lanes are clearly marked so that backing up, parking and spotting is easier.
• Make sure that dock bumpers are in place and in working condition. Report any damaged bumpers to your supervisor to ensure that they are replaced as quickly as possible.
• Do not sit idle on a dock. This will prevent unnecessary exposure to diesel exhaust.
• Never lean on or hang over a loading dock, as you could fall off the dock or be crushed by a backing trailer.
• Stay clear of trailers when a forklift is loading or unloading.
• Check dock levelers or bridges before using them.
• Use trailer-locking devices to prevent a gap from opening between the trailer and the dock.
• Do not operate any machinery that you are not trained to use.
• Never load trailers that are not firmly seated against a dock, and always check the weight capacity of the leveler before you begin loading a trailer.
• Inspect the trailer’s floorboards to assure that they can withstand the load, the lifting device and your body weight combined.
• Your load should never exceed the capacity of your loading equipment.
• Keep aisles and working areas free of clutter and debris on loading docks.
• Only walk in the designated pedestrian walkways.

Safety First!

If you notice any safety hazards at the loading dock, or have any safety concerns, contact your supervisor. A safe workplace starts with being alert to potential hazards!

California’s Leader in Insurance and Risk Management

As one of the fastest growing agencies in California, GDI Insurance Agency, Inc. is able to provide its clients with the latest and greatest of what the insurance industry has to offer and much, much more.

We are headquartered in Turlock, CA, with locations across the heart of California’s Central Valley, Northern California and beyond to provide a local feel to the solutions and services we provide our clients. We pride ourselves on exceeding our client’s expectations in every interaction to make sure that our client’s know how much we value and appreciate their business. Contact us today 1-209-634-2929 for your comprehensive warehouse insurance quote!