Kevin Ian Schmidt

Category: powered equipment

  • Important Components of a Powered Equipment Program

    Important Components of a Powered Equipment Program

    A quality powered equipment program has many different components, without each one, the program fails, not just from a regulatory aspect, but more importantly from a safety standpoint.

    The foundation of a quality powered industrial vehicle program is started with a quality policy. An excellent policy should be broad based, covering all known and potential hazards in the workplace associated with powered equipment operation, each section should lead to a small policy, which drills down to specifics.

    Knowing each component to have addressed in a broad and specific policy is of utmost importance.

    In general industry, OSHA has specific requirements for powered equipment:

    Training requirements powered equipment operation under OSHA regulations:

    The OSHA standard requires employers to design and administer a training program based on the principles of safe vehicle operation, the types of vehicle(s) being used in the workplace, the hazards of the workplace created by the use of the vehicle(s), and the general safety requirements of the OSHA standard.

    Formal (lecture, video, etc.) and practical (demonstration and practical exercises) training must be provided. Trained equipment operators must know how to do the job correctly and safely as demonstrated by evaluation. Employers must also certify that each operator has received the training and evaluate each operator at least once every three years.

    Refresher training is needed whenever an operator demonstrates a deficiency in the safe operation of the truck.

    I offer a classroom presentation style training for powered equipment operation here.

    There is also the requirement for an observation, which should be documented.

    Download the Operator Evaluation Form below:

     

    Now that you have a quality training program, to supplement a best in class policy, it is also important that your employees know how to conduct daily inspections of the equipment.

    OSHA does not mandate that the inspections be documented, but by documenting the inspections, it helps ensure that employees check the equipment for safe operation.

     

    Download the Daily Checklist for Battery Powered Equipment below:

     

    Download the Daily Checklist for Propane Powered Industrial Vehicles below:

     

    I also have inspection books in multiple sizes and formats for various pieces of powered equipment for sale on Amazon, check out the options available here

    If your facility utilizes powered industrial vehicles that are battery powered, properly training employees on safe operation of charging and servicing the batteries is an important component of a safe powered industrial vehicle program.

    Download the Powered Equipment Battery Charging Policy below:

     

     

    If your facility uses powered industrial vehicles that are propane powered, ensure your employees know how to change the cylinders safely.

    Download the Propane Cylinder Changing Guide below:

     

     

    These forms are meant to supplement a quality powered equipment policy, and should be integrated into the total employee powered equipment training for the equipment.

  • Retractable Lanyard Training Acknowledgement

    Retractable Lanyard Training Acknowledgement

    With over 40,000 workers injured annually due to fall accidents, falls in the workplace present a major risk for employers and workers. The ideal method of fall prevention is to eliminate all potential fall hazards, but this is not a realistic solution for most workplaces. Fall prevention systems like guard rails and barriers are not always practical depending on the work-site and nature of work being performed. If fall prevention is not possible, fall protection measures and training are the best way to protect yourself in the event of a fall.

    Fall arrest systems work by protecting workers by stopping (or arresting) them in mid-fall. An effective fall arrest system uses harness, anchor, lanyard, and lifeline components to secure the worker to a stable working surface in order to lessen the impact to the worker in the event of a fall. The goal of the fall arrest system is to absorb the energy of the fall so that the force of falling is not applied to the worker.

    The essential elements of a fall arrest system include: a harness, a lanyard, and a lifeline. Regular inspection of these elements is critical to ensure that they’re in good working order and can perform their functions in the event of a fall. When checking the harness, ensure that the hardware and straps are not worn, that there are no twists or tears in the fabric, and that all parts can move freely. For the lanyard, you want to check that the rope is in good condition, that the harness attachment is secure, and that there is no wear or damage to the hardware and shock-absorbing fabric. In the case of the lifeline, you again want to check for any wear or deterioration and ensure that the retracting function operates smoothly. Any parts of the fall arrest system that show wear, or are not performing to specification, should be replaced before use.

     

    If you need more components of a powered equipment program, check out what I offer here

     

    If you plan to be working at heights, fall protection training is required by state and provincial law. There are courses specifically designed to provide participants with the training that they need to make safe decisions when working at heights. Fall arrest courses are typically one day in duration and provide a combination of classroom and hands-on training covering topics like: the dynamics of falling, fall protection systems and planning, fall arrest system components, harness fitting, equipment care and inspection, and rescue procedures. Fall arrest training is affordable for workers and employers, and typically costs around $200 for a one day course. Excellent online courses are also available for around $60.

    Falls are preventable and the injury resulting from a fall can be mitigated through proper fall arrest equipment and training. Before working at heights, make sure to arm yourself with the training and knowledge you need to work safely.

    Download & view the Retractable Lanyard Training Certification below:

    Retractable Lanyard Training Acknowledgement

     

  • Powered Industrial Vehicle Policy

    Powered Industrial Vehicle Policy

    Powered Industrial Vehicles(or Trucks) are used across many industries. Unfortunately many businesses, big and small, fail to follow OSHA guidelines when it comes to these types of machines.

    What is considered a powered industrial vehicle?

    This can be a piece of equipment that gets power from batteries, propane, gasoline, or other fuel source. The tires can be solid, pneumatic, or cushion. It can be driven inside, outside, or over rough terrain.

    OSHA has 7 distinct classes of powered industrial vehicles, and you can see them here.

    Electric Motor Rider Trucks is an overly broad classification, let’s look in-depth

    Electric Motor Rider Trucks: These are any battery powered vehicle, in which the operator can sit or stand, in which product in handled with forks. Within this class there are many commonly used pieces of equipment:

    • Forklift: this is your standard, sit or stand equipment in which the forks go up and down. Some of these can only go to a height of 10-12′, commonly called a dock stocker for use within semi trailers, or other height limited areas. Some of these trucks can reach 300 inches high, commonly called high reach trucks, these are used in warehouses with high racking. The best and safest of these include cameras near the fork guards, so the operator can see where product is going high up.
    • Reach Truck: these are generally standing operator trucks, and besides the forks traveling up and down, the forks also travel forward, 2-3 feet. These trucks are good in narrow areas, such as warehouse or store aisles. The height of these trucks can range from short(10-12′) or tall(300″).
    • Swing Reach Truck: These are commonly called “Turret Trucks”, in which the operator travels in the air with the load. The forks travel up and down like a standard reach truck, they also move forward like a reach truck, but the forks also swing from side to side, so product can be moved on the sides without turning the truck.

    I have forklift training available here, which is important to keeping employees in the workplace safe.

    Also, if you’re looking for a bit more for your powered equipment program, I also have PE inspection books published on Amazon

    Now, with the equipment better defined, let’s look at the importance of a powered industrial vehicle policy.

    A powered industrial vehicle policy is the basis for safe operation of powered industrial equipment within a facility. It establishes standards for operating, training, and discipline. This policy has to be more than lip service, as powered equipment is heavy and dangerous.

    The below policy goes further than the basics and includes a short sections on changing/charging batteries, dock safety, and maintenance. This ensures employees are aware of the additional hazards of this equipment.

     

    Download & View the Powered Industrial Vehicle Policy below

     

    Powered Industrial Vehicle Policy

     

  • Aerial Lifts

    Aerial Lifts

    Aerial lifts, often called scissor lifts, are powered and mobile platforms that are used for elevating workers to various heights, which exposes workers to fall hazards.

    An aerial lift presents an interesting situation in the workplace. Many employers treat these as powered equipment, when by regulation, they are actually considered scaffolding and have different requirements. This isn’t to say that aerial equipment is to be used without training, but the training and records are different.

    If your workplace uses a scissor lift, it is important to know how to operate the equipment safely and in compliance to all relevant regulations.

    To learn more about OSHA regulations pertaining to scissor lifts, there is this handy fact sheet, put out by OSHA.

    For convenience I am including it in reader view below.

    OSHA3842
    If you need other components of a powered equipment program, check out all I offer here

    Why Aerial Lift Safety Training Matters:

    • OSHA estimates that there are about 68,000 fall-related injuries in the workplace each year.
    • OSHA requires equipment with aerial lifts to be designed and constructed according to certain standards. The primary goal is to protect the worker in the lift by providing fail-safe mechanisms that will prevent a free-fall descent of the work platform.
    • One of the primary hazards of working in aerial lifts is falling out of the lift.
    • If you work in aerial lifts or near them on the ground, you need to understand the hazards, the basic regulatory requirements, and the safety work practices that must be followed to prevent accidents and injuries.

    NIOSH offers a free simultor for aerial lifts, which shouldn’t be used in place of full and proper training of operators, but can be used to augment the training offered in the workplace.

    Below is the NIOSH Fact Sheet on Aerial Lifts and their simulator:

    aerial lift simulator NIOSH

    You can find the NIOSH Aerial Lift Simulator here

     

     

     View and download all components of an Aerial lift safety program below

    aerial lift operator training policy

    Key Points:

    • Aerial lifts are useful pieces of equipment but can also be hazardous.
    • Lifts must be operated properly to prevent accidents and injuries.
    • Only trained and authorized employees are allowed to use aerial lifts.
    • Inspect equipment and the work area before each use.
    • Understand and follow safe work practices, including wearing fall protection equipment.
    • Be especially careful when working around power lines.

     

     

     

    No quality training program is complete without an evaluation, so ensure that employees are observed in their operation of the aerial lift by a competent person.

    Aerial Lift Operator Evaluation

     

     

     

     

    Even with well trained employees operating aerial lifts, safety in the workplace is only as good as the equipment being used. The aerial lift, like powered equipment, should be inspected daily, before use, to ensure it is safe to operate.

    Like powered equipment, this inspection is not required to be written, but written forms allow for proper auditing of program compliance, while also providing a paper trail to address issues.

    Scissor Lift Checklist
  • Forklift Safety – Workplace Safety Series

    Forklift Safety – Workplace Safety Series

    With nearly 100,000 injuries or fatalities due to forklift accidents in the U.S. each year, proper training is a critical part of forklift safety. Forklifts present a unique workplace hazard for many reasons: they weigh at least double the weight of the average car, they carry very heavy loads at heights, they work in areas close to people and other equipment, and they steer from the rear. It’s estimated that proper training can help prevent 70% of forklift accidents. To ensure that all operators are sufficiently skilled and knowledgeable, training standards are set by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) in the U.S. and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) in Canada.

    In the U.S. training standards for Powered Industrial Trucks (forklifts) require employers to develop and implement a training program based on:

    – general principles of safe truck operation

    – types of vehicle(s) being used in the workplace

    – the hazards of the workplace created by the use of the vehicle(s)

    – general safety requirements of the OSHA standard

    OHSA requires that employees receive a combination of formal (eg. classroom lectures or video) and practical (eg. demonstration and hands-on exercises) training and that employers certify that each operator has received the training. Before an operator can use a forklift, the employer must evaluate his ability to safely use a forklift and declare him competent to operate it. Operators must be reevaluated by their employer at least once every three years. In the event of an accident or situation where the operator failed to safely operate the forklift, refresher training is required.

     

    Click here for the offerings I have for you concerning Powered Equipment

     

    The CSA Safety Standard B335-15 is a document which specifies the required elements of a forklift safety program as well as the requirements of vehicle design and construction, maintenance and inspection, safe operation, and operator training. It also makes recommendations regarding the qualifications for forklift safety trainers and maintenance technicians. The CSA Safety Standards were last updated in 2015 and this most recent edition included changes to operator training to ensure that the instruction is better understood and absorbed, and that operators are more thoroughly evaluated. CSA training requirements include theory, hands-on experience, knowledge verification, and practical evaluation. Although retraining is recommended every three years, employers are required to monitor performance on an ongoing basis and the provinces are able to legislate the frequency at which retraining should occur. Retraining is also required whenever new equipment is introduced, when the operating conditions have changed, when legislation has changed, or when skill or knowledge deficiencies are identified.

    Although proper training is the most important factor in preventing workplace accidents, operators should also be aware of some of the top mistakes that lead to forklift accidents:

    – Not being aware of load capacity – Carrying loads that are too heavy will make the vehicle unstable. The load capacity will be displayed clearly on the forklift so be sure to check this before starting work.

    – Failing to plan your route – Forklifts often operate in congested areas and you need to be familiar with your driving path and look in advance for any obstacles that may be along your route.

    – Operating with an unsecured load – You should always assess the stability of the load you’re carrying to make sure it doesn’t present any risks to you or other people and equipment. Take extra time to secure odd shaped loads and, if your load is extra wide, make sure to check that you have a wide enough path to navigate it through.

    – Lack of communication – Forklifts operate in busy environments and to keep everyone safe, it’s important to let others know what you’re doing and where you plan to go. If you see someone else moving a load that may interfere with your work, be sure to take the time to stop and ask them how you can coordinate to work safely.

    – Entering and exiting the forklift – Slips and falls are the most common workplace injury and these can happen when entering or exiting the forklift. Be sure to wear non-slip footwear before and while operating the forklift.

    – Check your battery and fluid levels – You need to make sure your forklift is in proper working order in order to complete your job. Check that your battery is charged and that your levels of hydraulic fluid are adequate.

    – Using a forklift that hasn’t been inspected – Forklifts should be inspected daily to ensure they’re in good working order.

    – Driving too fast – Moving at a speed too fast for your vehicle or environment is a common cause of accidents. Pay attention to any speed limits or speed bumps, and whether your forklift’s speed is limited mechanically.

    Operating a forklift safely starts with OHSA approved training that uses a combination of theory and practical hands-on training. However, safely operating a forklift requires that you’re always vigilant when operating the vehicle and pay close attention to detect any changes in the condition of your vehicle and the environment.

  • Harness and Lanyard Inspection

    Harness and Lanyard Inspection

    As part of a personal fall protection program, employees must be trained on how to inspect the harness and lanyard for safety.

    This form can be used to train employees for both important inspections performed on all personal fall protection:

    • The “before use” inspection – in which each wearer of fall protection equipment should inspect it before use, to ensure it is operating properly and not damaged.
    • The annual inspection – once a year, each piece of fall protection must be inspected and certified for continued use. This inspection must be documented.

    Knowing how to inspect the equipment for hazards is important for safety.

    Down below there is a log to document the training completion of how to inspect the harness and lanyard, along with a log for the annual hazard inspection.

    If during any inspection, a piece of equipment is found to be damaged or unsuitable for service, it should be removed from service and it’s removal should be documented on the fall protection inspection log. Do not just place a harness or lanyad into the trash, as an employee may think it was placed there by accident and put it back into service, instead damage and/or deface the equipment, so it will not be able to be placed back into service.

    If your company needs more components of a fall protection program, check out my published powered equipment books and all posts on my website concerning powered equipment

    Download the Harness and Lanyard Inspection Training below:

    View the Harness and Lanyard Inspection Training below:

    Harness-Lanyard InspectionReport

     

    Download the Personal Fall Protection Training Certification below:

    View the Personal Fall Protection Training Certification below:

    Fall_Protection_Certificate_of_Training

     

    Download the Fall Protection Annual Inspection Log below:

    View the Fall Protection Annual Inspection Log below:

    Fall protection Inspection Log

     

  • Forklift Safety Training

    Forklift Safety Training

    Following proper forklift safety guidelines will lower your chances of getting in a serious accident and either getting seriously injured or causing damage. Forklifts are some of the most useful machines in the workplace and without them basic workplace activities would be much more difficult. Respect their power and make sure that forklift safety is a priority in your workplace.

    The training here is to be presented by a competent person in a classroom environment, allowing for discussion of site specific issues. Without discussing site specific safety issues, the training is incomplete, as operators won’t know what hazards they face in the workplace.

    Besides this training presentation, there is more needed for qualified operators in your facility.

    Make sure your operators are also given an evaluation by the competent person as part of your company’s training program.

    These evaluations should be completed on a form and kept as part of the training record. It is equally important to keep all failed evaluations, and retraining evaluations after an incident, as these provide proper documentation in the event of a regulatory investigation.

    Why Forklift Operator Training Matters:

    • Forklifts can be very dangerous—in an average year, 100 people die in forklift-related accidents, and 20,000 are seriously injured in forklift mishaps, resulting in lost workdays.
    • Common forklift-related injuries could result from:
      • Hitting a pedestrian with a forklift,
      • Forklift tipover,
      • Improperly positioned loads,
      • Falling from the forks or from a platform positioned on the forks,
      • Falling from a ladder that is struck by a forklift, and
      • Being struck by materials that fall from a forklift.

    When training and evaluating operators on forklifts, make sure you’re training employees appropriately for the equipment involved, each type of piece of powered equipment. So, it is important to know what equipment is used in the workplace.

    OSHA divides Forklifts into five classes:

    • Class One forklifts are powered by electric motors and are generally used inside because of their lack of exhaust fumes.
    • Class Two forklifts are used in narrow aisles for order picking by the forklift itself or by the driver who is raised up.
    • Class Three forklifts have operators who either walk behind or lead the lift. They aren’t actually driven but operators still need to achieve certification.
    • Class Four forklifts are operated by fuel and have solid rubber tires that can only be used on paved surfaces.
    • Class Five forklifts are also operated by fuel, but they have pneumatic tires which allow them to be driven on unpaved roads.

    Whatever class of forklift you operate, OSHA requires training specific to that forklift. Forklifts are powerful and indispensable vehicles that make our lives easier. The power of these machines also makes them extremely dangerous. As such, the training required is imperative.

    Looking to learn more about powered equipment safety? Check out the Powered Equipment Inspection Books I have published on Amazon, or any of my other posts on powered equipment safety

    Here are some safety tips about driving forklifts.

    • Before you drive off make sure that you adjust your seatbelt and buckle up, just like a car.
    • Make sure that you keep the forks low – four to six inches off of the floor. Raised forks damage equipment and insure people.
    • Maintain a speed that will allow you to stop quickly and control your load. A sudden stop can cause a jolt and you could lose your load.
    • Always drive to the right of other vehicles and pedestrians just like you would in a car.
    • Always stop and sound your horn at every corner and doorway – other drivers and pedestrians may not be paying attention. Look both ways before you continue.
    • If you have a load that impairs your vision, then drive backwards and use a co-worker to help you see.
    • Look for hazards before you drive. Know all the problems areas before you lift. Ducts and overhead pipes can be lower than you think and significant damage could occur.
    • If you need to leave the vehicle always put the engine in neutral, set your parking brake and lower the mast to the floor. If you are a slope, block the wheels. All of this will ensure the forklift will not move while you are gone.
    • Manual Handling guidance is easy to provide, however making sure it is used is easier said than done.
    • The regulations state that handling should be eliminated if at all possible. Despite having more labor saving devices than ever before, lifting and moving items is still required and therefore removing the need is not always possible. Even if you outsource your handling requirements, you still retain some responsibility for ensuring the organization moving the equipment has appropriate risk assessments and trained staff in place.
    Check Out: 10 Reasons Why Safety Training is Often Ineffective

    View and Download the Operator Evaluation Form

    forklift operator evaluation form

     

     

    Properly filling out this form and conducting an evaluation, will ensure employees properly operate equipment in a safe manner.

    A great way to conduct an evaluation is to set up a course, away from pedestrians, and other critical items. This ensures that hazards are minimized while a new operator is first learning.

    The evaluation portion of the training should include test operations, such as driving with unstable loads, driving in

     

     

    Download and View the Forklift Safety Training below

    Forklift-Safety-Training

     

     

  • Loading Dock Safety Checklist

    Loading Dock Safety Checklist

    When you think of a loading dock, does a flurry of activity and the classic “beep, beep, beep” noise come to mind? A company’s loading dock is a hub of activity for shipping and receiving functions that keeps the businesses flowing. Unfortunately, about 25 percent of reported warehouse injuries occur on loading docks.

    With the use of forklifts, pallet jacks, and other manual means in these critical transition areas, it’s important to review the hazards associated with loading docks and safety practices to help prevent injuries and incidents.

     

    Have you completed a loading dock safety assessment?

    This Loading Dock Audit Checklist is a great tool to assess the hazards present within the material transfer zone(MTZ) and provides a clear picture of where you can improve your safety.

    This checklist for dock safety should be completed, at minimum, every quarter to ensure your loading dock remains a highly functional safe working environment.

    The loading dock safety checklist covers important aspects such as:

    • Training – This is a review of the relevant training needed for safe work within the MTZ
    • Housekeeping – a clean and orderly work environment is the foundation of a safe workplace
    • Material handling equipment(MHE) – a solid check of all MHE will ensure employees are only using the safest equipment possible.
    • Loading zone – Is the loading zone properly setup for safe operation
    • General safety – many of the questions here are applicable for total warehouse safety, but with the fast moving work within the MTZ it should be checked regularly.

     

    A great way to perform a loading dock safety assessment is by bringing together your site safety committee and using this checklist, so there are multiple perspectives in helping to identify hazards at the loading dock.

    Check Out: Safe Lifting and Carrying Training as proper lifting will help reduce injuries, and employees need proper training on how to lift and carry safely.

     

    Do you have other safety needs for your loading dock?

     

    Download the Loading Dock Safety Checklist below

    View the Loading Dock Safety Checklist below

    Loading Dock Safety checklist
  • Loading Dock Safety Policy

    Loading Dock Safety Policy

    The foundation of a safe loading dock is a quality policy that outlines expectations for safety.

    Partner this policy with all the other aspects of Loading dock safety offered here, and your company will have all the tools available for a safer loading dock.

    Do you have other Loading Dock Safety needs? I also offer the following:

    The policy here not only covers basics of loading dock safety but also covers physical security of the dock area, as that is an important aspect, that if neglected can create an unsafe working environment.

    This policy is not all inclusive, as it specifically covers safety and security, but nothing concerning operations. Your company will need a policy/procedure for loading dock operations, since every workplace is different. Pairing this safety policy with a quality operation policy will provide a safe and secure environment in which employee productivity is optimized.

    A quality loading dock safety policy should address the following risks employees face:

    • Trailer Separation: This problem is common enough that it goes by several nicknames: trailer walk, dock walk and — most commonly — trailer creep. The weight of forklifts entering and exiting the trailer can cause it to gradually drift away from the dock until there is a dangerous gap between the trailer and the dock.
    • Premature Departure: If a miscommunication occurs and a truck driver mistakenly pulls away from the dock prematurely, it could cause a forklift driver entering, exiting or inside of the trailer to be injured.
    • Landing Gear Collapse: Damaged or weak landing gear on a trailer can suddenly fail, allowing the trailer to move. It could either pitch forward or swing off to one side. This can injure employees who are entering, exiting or inside of the trailer.
    • Trailer Pop-Up and Up-Ending: Pop-up can occur when the weight of a loaded forklift entering the back end of the trailer causes the trailer to press down in the back and pop up in the front. Up-ending is the opposite, but equally dangerous, problem, where the trailer’s nose is forced down, causing the back to rise.
    • Dock Shock: Dock shock refers to the health and safety hazard that lift truck operators experience when they are jarred by a bumpy transition crossing over from the warehouse floor to the loading dock.
    • Unsecured Loads: When a load on a forklift or other powered truck isn’t properly secured, it can slide off, causing injury to the forklift driver or any other employees within close proximity.
    • Lifting: Though not unique to loading docks, lifting equipment is also a common source of warehouse injuries and often occurs when employees are loading and unloading goods at the loading dock. Though a back strain may seem less serious than a fall or other injury, a first-time back injury can cost $10,000 and can put an employee out of commission for some time.

    The following recommendations can improve safety on loading docks:

    • Use portable jack stands when loading and unloading trailers to prevent potential tipping of lift trucks.
    • Have all equipment maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations – this includes lift trucks, dock levelers, vehicle restraining devices, dock doors, and automatic signaling devices.
    • Purchase forklifts with side shifting capability – they help to prevent product damage and promote safety by allowing the lift truck operator to perform the task with fewer movements and eliminating the need for the forklift to be right up against the wall of a trailer.
    • To prevent injuries from lifting heavy materials, make sure all employees follow best practices for lifting.
    • Make sure the dock area is well-lit and that lift trucks are equipped with spotlights so drivers can see everything in front of them, whether on the warehouse floor or in a semitrailer.
    • Whenever possible, avoid having workers in trailers while a lift truck is loading or unloading.
    • Perform a visual inspection of the trailer prior to driving a lift truck into it – damaged and rotting floorboards are common in older trailers.

    Download the Loading Dock Safety Policy below

    View the Loading Dock Safety Policy below

    Loading Dock Access Safety and Security Policy
  • Loading Dock Safety Training

    Loading Dock Safety Training

    The loading dock in a business is a high hazard area, with many different risks. With freight and powered equipment moving through the area, injuries can be significant, an easy way to reduce risk of injury is by providing employees with this loading dock safety training.

    Loading dock injuries reviewed

    • Every 3 days someone is killed in a forklift related accident at a loading dock.
    • An additional 94,750 forklift related injuries are reported each year.
    • $135,000,000 in immediate costs are incurred due to forklift accidents.
    • 7% of forklift accidents occur when a lift truck is driven off a loading dock.
    • 12% of all loading dock fatalities involving power equipment result from trailer/dock separation.
    • 70% of all reported accidents could have been avoided with proper safety precautions
      *nist.gov, “Performance Metrics for Intelligence Systems Workshop” 2009

    Training employees to identify the hazards in a loading dock area, examples include:

    • Inspecting loads received to make sure they are stable and undamaged
    • Destroying damaged pallets
    • Inspecting loads before movement to ensure proper shrink-wrapping or banding
    • Securing dockplates or bridges
    • Chocking trailer wheels before accessing a trailer
    • Engaging locking devices before entering trailers
    • Guarding dock edges when trailers are absent

    This loading dock training will provide employees with the proper knowledge to identify risks and also the foundations of a quality loading dock safety program.

    Requirements and Recommended Practices:

    • Maintain a safe distance from the edge of loading dock.
    • Watch out for tail swing.
    • Keep working surfaces clear and clean.
    • Paint the edges of the loading dock to improve visibility.

    From OSHA.gov

    Do you have other Loading Dock Safety needs? I offer the following:

    This safety training can be conducted in a classroom training environment or as part of a quality self learning training program.

    Download the Loading Dock Safety Training below

    View the Loading Dock Safety Training below

    Dock Safety Training