Loading docks are heavily used and potentially dangers areas, and implementing a proper safety program can ensure that your business minimizes expensive and business interrupting incidents.

Truck Restraints

As trucks are backed up to a loading dock bay, making sure the vehicle remains stationary is critical to the safety of your labor force. As lift trucks move on and off trailers and goods are transferred, substantial weight transitions occur. As trailers are jostled they tend to move unless they are firmly tethered in place by some type of restraint system.

Any time a trailer is accidentally moved, it is called “trailer creep.” This is exceedingly hazardous for a lift truck operator, as the dock leveler is disconnected from the trailer. A lift truck can easily plummet from the side of the loading dock, ending up in severe bodily harm or death.

A further problem is unplanned drive offs. Sometimes drivers will depart from the loading dock before cargo transfer is completed due to miscalculation or misunderstanding. If a lift truck is on board when a trailer pulls away it can be disastrous.

Truck restraints are engineered to stop trailers from departing from a dock until it is safe to proceed. Restraints can be as rudimentary as wheel chocks, or they can be as sophisticated as hydraulic hooks that pair with dock levelers and doors through interlock security mechanisms.

Trailer Restraints (Dock Locks)

Trailer restraint systems are basically claws that grab the ICC bar on a trailer frame to secure it firmly in place. These devices can be bare bones, mechanically operated systems or sophisticated hydraulic and/or electric configurations.

Many times, truck restraints are directly tied to the door, signaling lights and dock leveler on a loading dock bay, so that they can’t be disconnected if the door is in the open position, the dock leveler is engaged or the truck driver hasn’t been instructed to proceed by the dock operator. These safety features are invaluable on any high traffic loading dock and can substantially reduce safety incidents.

Wheel Chocks

Using wheel chocks is probably the simplest way to keep a vehicle stable. Wouldn’t it make more sense to just use wheel chocks instead of an expensive restraint system? Although ordinary wheel chocks can work well, there are several risks:

• Inattentive workers can occasionally neglect to put chocks in place
• Uneven surfaces can make chocks fail if they aren’t placed correctly
• Chocks can get lost, and busy workers may choose to not use them instead of falling behind
• Placing wheel chocks may require workers to get low to the ground where truck drivers can’t see them, putting the employee in harm’s way if the truck moves

Dock Restraints Near Me

To find out more about vehicle restraints or additional loading dock safety equipment, get in touch with a dock and door expert at Raymond West today.

Raymond West's Riverside service area includes Redlands, Colton, Rialto, Bloomington, Moreno Valley, Hemet, Perris, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Coachella Valley and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Riverside Material Handling Equipment Supplier

Riverside, CA
(951) 384-2444