Hazards Outside The Laboratory: Loading Dock Safety

Transcription

1 Hazards Outside The Laboratory: Loading Dock Safety Levi Harmon, CSP Safety Engineer Occupational Health, Safety And Injury Prevention

2 Introduction The University s Loading Docks are a hub of activity. The primary location of movement for products and supplies coming in and out of the facilities. The main point of access for Delivery Drivers, Facilities Maintenance, Vendors and other Service Providers. Pathway for emergency egress. Provides Direct Access to staging areas, storage rooms and freight elevators.

3 Outline Loading Dock Hazards Poor housekeeping Slips, trips and falls Dock s and Dock Plate s leading edge Wet, icy, oily, unleveled and or damaged walking-working surfaces. Pedestrian and Other Motorists Traffic Blind Spots Material Handling and Lifting Devices (e.g. forklifts) Manual Lifting; strains and sprains. Dock Plates; damaged, unsecured and or used above capacity. Improper loading and unloading procedures. E.g. driver pull away, off-center load, run away load, stacking loads, trailer creep, damaged/loose/unstable loads, etc.

4 Regulatory Requirements 29 CFR 1910 Subpart N - Materials Handling and Storage o Material Handling - General o Powered Industrial Trucks Other Applicable OSHA Regulation o Walking-Working Surfaces o Guarding floor and wall openings and holes. o 1910 Subpart O - Machinery and Machine Guarding

5 Controlling The Hazards: Poor Housekeeping Paths of egress shall be unobstructed. Loading docks should be; Free of obstructions, debris and stored materials Easily accessible Clean Adequate Illumination Lighting guarded or recessed Use designated areas to store or dispose of pallets, containers, garbage, etc.

6 Controlling The Hazards: Slips, Trips and Falls Preventing the Slips and Trips; Loading dock floors and dock plates kept dry and free from snow, ice, and equipment fluid/oils. o Winter Maintenance Plan o Spill Clean Up and Reporting Procedures Repair or replace damaged walking-working surfaces.

7 Controlling The Hazards: Slips, Trips and Falls Preventing the Falls; Ensure chain top rail and or guardrail insert(s) are in place. Chain Top Rail 42 ±3, but not extend below 39 Paint the leading edge to improve visibility. Maintain a safe distance from the edge of loading dock.

8 Controlling The Hazards: Pedestrian & Motorists Traffic Pedestrians have the right of way. Blind Spots Convex mirrors Eye contact and wave Delivery Drivers trucks have back-up alarms Trained Spotter Stand off to the side and remain in the driver s mirror If sight is lost ensure drivers are trained to stop.

9 Loading Dock Safety: Material Handling Devices Manual Material Lifting Use material handling equipment. Provide for staff use Split Large Loads Minimize lifting and storage above shoulder height. Commonly used and heavier items should be stored between knee and shoulder height. Stacking Loads Light/small loads on top of heavier/larger loads. Limit height of stacks.

10 Loading Dock Safety: Material Handling Devices Loading and Unloading Delivery Trucks Chock rear truck wheels (Trailer Creep) Inspect the floor of the trailer to ensure it will support your load. Dock plates, boards, and or ramps are in place and secure. Inspect to ensure good condition Ensure load does not exceed capacity Paint the edges of the loading dock, dock plates, ramps, etc. to improve visibility. Additional hazards and controls for powered material handling devices. Unloading Loose, shifted and unstable loads. Stored Energy! Stay out of the fall zone at all times. If the load can not be unstrapped safely send it back.

11 Controlling The Hazards: Loading and Unloading Procedures General Procedures Shut off the engine and engage the brake Minimizes the exposure to vehicle emissions and noise. Install wheel chocks or other vehicle restraint device and if necessary dock plates, ramps, levelers, etc. Use caution while opening the doors of the trailer. loads that may have shifted during transport. Be wary of trailer creep. Occurs when the repeated forces exerted by loading and unloading activities. Periodically check vehicle restraints and dock plates Wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for the job being performed. Upon Completion ensure; All employees or material lifting devices are cleared. Remove vehicle restraints and other engineering controls prior to restarting the vehicle and disengaging the brake.

12 Controlling The Hazards: Loading and Unloading Procedures Consider Developing a facility specific Loading Dock Procedure(s). Tailor and implement specific procedures that work for your unit. Provide signage Set the expectation by; Posting procedures at the Loading Dock. Distribute procedures to delivery drivers.

13 Summary The University s Loading Docks are a hub of activity. Loading Docks create additional hazards which must be controlled. Develop facility specific Procedure(s) for Loading Dock Activities at your Unit(s).

14 Questions If there are any additional questions, please contact: Environmental Health & Safety (607) or