Loading docks are busy and congested areas, and implementing a proper safety program can help your business avoid expensive and disruptive accidents.

Truck Restraints

As trailers enter a loading dock bay, ensuring that the vehicle remains stationary is essential to the safety of your workers. As forklifts move on and off trailers and goods are transferred, substantial weight transitions ensue. As trailers are bumped they tend to move unless they are securely anchored in place by some form of restraint system.

Any time a trailer is unintentionally moved, it is referred to as “trailer creep.” This can be extremely dangerous for a forklift operator, as the dock plate is separated from the trailer. A lift truck can undeniably fall off the dock edge, ending up in serious injury or death.

Another concern is unplanned departures. From time to time, truck drivers may depart from the loading dock before cargo transfer is finished due to error or misunderstanding. If a lift truck is on board when a truck moves it can be catastrophic.

Truck restraints are engineered to prevent trailers from driving off from a dock until it is safe to proceed. Restraints can be as simple 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 mechanisms are basically claws that latch onto the ICC bar on a trailer to hold it firmly in place. These hooks can be bare bones, manually operated systems or more complex hydraulic and/or electric configurations.

Trailer restraints are often directly tied to the signal lights and leveler equipment on a loading dock bay, so that they can’t be detached if the door is open, the dock leveler is engaged or the truck driver has a “no go” signal from the dock operator. Having safeguards like these can be advantageous on any busy loading dock and can substantially reduce safety incidents.

Wheel Chocks

Wheel chocks are the simplest way to keep a trailer in place. So why use a restraint system instead of wheel chocks? While ordinary wheel chocks can work well, there are many risks:

• Absent minded employees may occasionally neglect to put chocks in place
• A sloped or uneven approach can make chocks fail if they aren’t placed correctly
• Wheel chocks can get lost, and busy workers may forego them instead of falling behind
• Placing wheel chocks may require workers to get low to the pavement where drivers can’t see them, putting the employee in harm’s way if the truck moves

Dock Restraints Near Me

If you would like to learn more about dock locks or additional dock safety equipment, get in touch with a dock and door professional at Raymond West today.

Raymond West's Calexico facility serves Imperial County and Yuma County, Including Calexico, Brawley, El Centro, San Luis, Yuma and surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Calexico Material Handling Equipment Supplier

285 Rood Rd
Calexico, CA 92231
(760) 768-8700