Loading docks are high traffic areas, and having a proper safety plan can benefit your business by preventing expensive and business interrupting accidents.

Truck Restraints

When trucks are backed up to a loading dock bay, making sure the trailer remains stationary is essential to the safety of your labor force. As forklifts maneuver on and off trailers and cargo is added or removed, substantial weight fluctuations occur. As trailers are jostled they tend to shift unless they are safely fastened in place by some type of restraint system.

When a trailer is unintentionally moved, it is referred to as “trailer creep.” This can be extremely dangerous for a lift truck driver, as the dock leveler is separated from the trailer. A forklift can quickly go over the side of the loading dock, resulting in serious injury or death.

A further concern is unplanned departures. From time to time, truck drivers may pull away from the loading dock before loading or unloading is completed due to miscalculation or misunderstanding. If a lift truck is on board during an unscheduled departure it can be fatal to the driver.

Truck restraints are made to impede trailers from departing from a loading dock until it is advisable to do so. Restraints can be as simple as wheel chocks, or they can be as elaborate as hydraulic hooks that pair with doors and dock levelers 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 tightly in place. These restraints can be simple, manually operated systems or more advanced hydraulic and/or electric configurations.

Oftentimes, restraints are directly tied to the door and leveler equipment on a loading dock bay, so that they can’t be disengaged if the door is ajar, the dock leveler is extended or the truck driver has not been advised to depart by the dock operator. Having safeguards like these can be advantageous on any active loading dock and can greatly improve safety and productivity.

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 basic wheel chocks can easily hold a vehicle in place, there are several risks:

• Forgetful employees 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 misplaced, and busy employees may choose to not use them rather than fall behind
• Setting wheel chocks often requires employees 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, contact a dock and door professional at Raymond West today.

Raymond West's Sacramento facility serves the greater Sacramento area and other parts of Northern California, including Sacramento, Elk Grove, Auburn, Placerville, Vacaville, Fairfield, Sausalito, Napa, Santa Rosa, Redding, Eureka and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Sacramento Material Handling Equipment Supplier

900 National Dr
Sacramento, CA 95834
(800) 675-2500