Loading docks are busy and congested areas, and maintaining a proper safety strategy can help your business avoid costly and business interrupting incidents.

Truck Restraints

As trucks are backed up to a dock bay, ensuring that the trailer stays in place is critical to the safety of your labor force. As forklifts maneuver on and off trailers and cargo is transferred, substantial weight shifts occur. As trailers are jostled they tend to move unless they are safely anchored in place by some type of restraint system.

When a trailer is accidentally moved, it is known as “trailer creep.” This can be extremely unsafe for a lift truck operator, as the dock board is disconnected from the trailer. A forklift can undeniably plummet from the dock edge, resulting in severe bodily harm or death.

Another consideration is unscheduled departures. From time to time, truck drivers may depart from the loading dock before cargo transfer is completed due to miscalculation or miscommunication. If a forklift is on board when a trailer pulls away it can be fatal to the driver.

Truck restraints are designed to prevent trucks from driving off from a dock until it is safe to proceed. Restraints can be as rudimentary as wheel chocks, or they can be as elaborate as hydraulic hooks that pair with dock levelers and doors through interlock security systems.

Trailer Restraints (Dock Locks)

Trailer restraint systems are in essence hooks that latch onto the ICC bar on a trailer to hold it tightly in place. These hooks can be simple, mechanically operated systems or more advanced electric or hydraulic configurations.

Oftentimes, restraints are directly tied to the door, signaling lights and leveler equipment on a dock bay, so that they can’t be disconnected if the door is in the open position, the dock leveler is extended or the truck driver has not been advised to depart by the dock operator. Safety features like these are extremely beneficial on any busy loading dock and can greatly improve safety and productivity.

Wheel Chocks

The most basic way to hold a trailer in place is to chock the wheels. Wouldn’t it make more sense to just use wheel chocks instead of an expensive restraint system? While ordinary wheel chocks can do the job, there are some additional risks:

• Forgetful employees may occasionally neglect to place chocks correctly
• A sloped or uneven approach can make chocks fail if they aren’t placed correctly
• Chocks can get lost, and busy workers may forego them instead of falling behind
• Placing wheel chocks may require workers to get down near the ground where drivers can’t see them, endangering the worker if the truck moves

Dock Restraints Near Me

If you would like to learn more about vehicle restraints or other dock safety equipment, contact a dock and door expert at Raymond West today.

Raymond West's Fresno facility serves much of the Central Valley, including Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Visalia, Tulare, Lindsay, Hanford, Lemoore, Los Banos, Santa Nella, Dos Palos, Firebaugh, Kettleman City, Coalinga, Avenal, Mendota, Kerman, San Joaquin, and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Fresno Material Handling Equipment Supplier

2935 S Elm Ave #101
Fresno, CA 93706
(559) 264-7500