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

Truck Restraints

As trucks enter a loading dock bay, making sure the trailer remains stationary is essential to the safety of your labor force. As lift trucks maneuver on and off trailers and goods are transferred, significant weight transitions ensue. When trailers are bumped they will move unless they are securely anchored in place by some form of restraint system.

Any time a trailer is accidentally moved, it is known as “trailer creep.” This is exceptionally hazardous for a lift truck operator, as the dock leveler is separated from the trailer. A forklift can undeniably fall off the side of the loading dock, resulting in severe injury or death.

Another consideration is unscheduled departures. From time to time, truck drivers may pull away from the dock before cargo transfer is finished due to oversight or miscommunication. If a forklift is active when a truck moves it can be disastrous.

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

Trailer Restraints (Dock Locks)

Trailer restraint systems are in essence hooks that grasp the ICC bar on a trailer to secure it firmly in place. These devices can be basic, mechanically operated systems or more advanced electric or hydraulic configurations.

Many times, truck restraints are wired directly into the door, signaling lights and leveler equipment on a dock bay, so that they can’t be disengaged if the door is in the open position, the dock leveler is extended or the truck driver has a “no go” signal from the dock operator. Safety features like these are extremely beneficial on any active loading dock and can improve safety immeasurably.

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? Although plain wheel chocks can easily hold a vehicle in place, there are some additional risks:

• Forgetful workers can occasionally neglect to put chocks in place
• A sloped or uneven approach can cause chocks to slip or not function properly
• Wheel chocks can get lost, and busy employees may forego them instead of falling behind
• Setting wheel chocks may require workers to get down near the ground where truck drivers can’t see them, endangering the worker if the truck moves

Dock Restraints Near Me

To find out more about vehicle restraints or additional dock safety equipment, contact a dock and door professional at Raymond West today.

Raymond West's Fremont facility serves all of the Bay Area, including San Francisco, Oakland, San Leandro, Hayward, Union City, Fremont, San Jose, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Redwood City, San Mateo, South San Francisco, Richmond, Vallejo, Concord, Pleasanton, Livermore and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | San Francisco Bay Area Material Handling Equipment Supplier

41400 Boyce Rd
Fremont, CA 94538
(800) 675-2500