Retail

Loading docks are a particularly hazardous area of a retail warehouse; whilst hazards should be sufficiently noted by individual companies, some of the most common hazards that can occur at a loading dock include:

• Drive away - the vehicle drives away before loading/ unloading has finished, causing loads to fall, and posing risk to operators and products
  Reversing - having to manoeuvre the vehicle into or out of the loading bay can lead to hazards such as blind spots or crashes whilst reversing, posing risk to workers on the bay floor and other vehicles
• Vehicle creep - movement of loading/ unloading can cause the vehicle to creep away from the bay, which may cause products and workers to fall from the platform
• Water access - water entering dock due to weather conditions or other events can cause slick floors; wet floor hazards caused by water, oil, or other substances can affect both workers and vehicles
• Load roll away - incline or declines of loading/ unloading platforms can cause loads to roll away unmanaged, posing risk to product and workers
• Carbon monoxide - carbon monoxide poisoning can be a very serious effect of inhaling emissions created by running vehicle engines

Whilst loading docks can pose numerous hazards, there are ways to ensure that these areas can be safely managed.

Signage should be placed around the docks, warning of wet floor conditions, directing traffic, and informing drivers of speed limits.

Signals can be employed alerting drivers when it is time to drive away, preventing drive-away hazards.

Vehicle restraints such as wheel chocks should be used to prevent vehicle creep.

A weatherproof canopy or seal should be placed over the loading bay to prevent weather conditions infiltrating the area.

A guarding system should be in place to prevent falling from docks.

Turntables can be installed to rotate vehicles, assisting flow of traffic and limiting the running of vehicle engines.

Yes, under OSHA 1910.28 fall protection devices are a requirement for docks four or more feet high. This is to prevent an employee from falling from an open dock.