Truck Restraints Loading Dock Safety

Manual Loading Dock Vehicle Restraint

As an essential element of the world’s economy, manufacturing facilities see many of the goods bought and sold today pass through their doors. Loading docks make up a lot of real estate in these facilities, marking them as a very important point of contact in the global supply chain. From the extremely large, multiple loading dock door facilities to the rudimentary docks of a small business, the safety concerns in these areas remain very similar.

According to Material Handling & Logistics magazine, fatalities and serious injuries at loading docks occur more frequently when there is “unwanted separation between the trailer or truck being loaded and the loading dock. In these incidents, forklift operators are the ones most susceptible to danger. Their forklift can potentially drive off the dock during premature pull away, harming the driver and damaging goods. It is not uncommon for situations to occur where the forklift and driver are still in the truck trailer when it departs from the loading dock. Of the 96 deaths that occurred at loading docks between 2002 and 2009, 11 of those were due to separation between the trailer and dock.

One of the many products that help to reduce the risk of accidents at the loading dock are vehicle restraints installed at the loading dock face to prevent unintended movement of a truck or trailer. A heavy duty steel hook mechanism connects to the ICC bar to minimize trailer creep during loading and unloading procedures, or even premature vehicle pull away. Truck restraints are often used in addition to other pieces of loading dock equipment. Using wheel chocks in conjunction with a dock restraint system further promotes the safety of loading dock workers. 

Traffic dock signal lights mounted on the dock wall inside and outside the dock door allow inside personnel know when they can enter a trailer and also truck drivers are disengaged and free to depart from the dock. For manual truck restraint loading dock safety, dock signal lights are available as automatic or manually operated. Electric truck restraints come standard with signal lights. Driver warning signs posted near these red and green traffic lights instruct both the dock worker and truck driver in safety procedures at the dock.

The more popular and cost effective option for many businesses, the BMVR series of manual trailer restraints utilize a push rod from the dock worker while standing at the top of the dock to engage and disengage the restraint hook. Compact in design, these units boast some of the smallest body profiles in the industry, mitigating the risk of equipment damage. The heavy-duty steel, all weather frame make this model a durable and practical piece of equipment for your loading dock.

Electric Truck Restraint Control Panel

The Bear Claw BEVR650 series of automatic electric dock truck restraints feature a convenient push button control panel to engage and disengage the hook. Rated with a 50,000 pound restraining force, these units are anchored on the front dock wall face with no concrete or pit work required at installation. A 4 inch thick dock bumpers are recommended for optimum projection performance. Installing this vehicle restraint system not only enhances dock safety, but may also lead to lower insurance premiums for some customers. You may want to call your insurance sales rep that handles the insurance building policy to contact the insurance underwriter and see how you qualify.