Forklift accidents are a common cause of employee injury at industrial jobs. According to industry experts, up to 70 percent of those accidents could be prevented if the correct safety measures had been implemented. The reason managers and owners don’t take the time to fix this is simply due to a lack of awareness. We aim to reduce the number of injuries that occur in the workplace by providing an education on the most common types of dock accidents.
Two Major Risks: Early Departure and Trailer Creep
Some accidents can happen in a loading dock area, and even with every possible safety measure in place, it’s important for employees to be alert and aware of their surroundings. The vast majority of accidents can be avoided by guarding against two particular risks: trailer creep and early departure.
1. Early Departure
Most employees come to work with plenty weighing on their minds, from worries about their personal lives to stress over finances. Humans are imperfect creatures who can easily get distracted, and it’s easy for miscommunication to occur.
For example, a common cause of early departure happens when a truck driver accidentally exits the dock too soon. If a lift truck enters or exits the trailer at this time, it can fall between the dock and the trailer. There is great potential for injury if the lift truck happens to fall on the driver, so this situation needs to be avoided at all costs.
2. Trailer Creep
Trailer creep is subtle and difficult to notice, which makes it very dangerous for workers. It occurs when the edge of the trailer begins to drift from the dock due to the motion created by the lift trucks going in and out.
If employees aren’t paying attention, they could fail to notice that the truck moved too far from the dock and the lift truck can no longer safely make it across. It results in the wheels of the lift truck becoming wedged in the space between the trailer and the dock, putting the driver in a dangerous position.
Avoiding Dock Accidents: Restraints Provide a Solution
These two common accidents can easily be prevented with the proper safety equipment. Lenworth is proud to offer a variety of restraints that work with different trucks and docks. Here are a couple truck restraint options we offer:
Hydraulic: These restraints are designed to handle the toughest situations. They feature a digital control panel and flexible engagement rate, allowing workers to fine tune them for their needs. We have both barrier-style and recessed models to choose from.
Electrical: These restraints use an electronic-compensation float to create the highest degree of security possible. They feature a hook-style arm and can be interlocked with air-powered levelers.
Mechanical: These are our simplest restraints. They require almost no maintenance, providing the perfect solution for busy dock workers. The manual controls allow workers to engage and release the restraints using a push bar. The barrier-style restraint offers a sturdy hold that can be trusted to protect safety.
All of our restraints are designed using high-grade steel and offer up to 35,000 pounds of restraining force. At Lenworth, we are proud to offer certified loading dock and overhead door services that can help keep workers safe. For more information about how we can improve the safety and efficiency of loading docks, please contact us today.
