A dock owner should regularly inspect the deck and structure, fixing any rotting sections. They should also keep hazards like flammable trash, combustible liquids, and unsecured tools out of walking and driving areas.
A dock owner can also incorporate safety features like non-slip materials to prevent accidents, ensure that dock plates are secure, and check their load capacity.
Don’t Excessively Extend Ladders
If you have a ladder with rung locks, use them to keep the fly section from sliding open while climbing. This prevents the ladder from becoming unbalanced and causing a fall.
Loading docks are busy places with workers and vehicles always moving in different directions. Make sure that safe routes for pedestrians are marked. Also, use dock bumpers to prevent truck trailers from accidentally backing into employees or equipment.
Don’t Leave Ladders Unattended
Loading docks are busy hubs of activity where trucks and forklifts come and go. They can be dangerous, especially if safety protocols are not followed.
Ladders should be inspected before each use to ensure they are secure and long enough to reach the work area. They should also be cleared of grease and other substances that can make them slippery. Using dock barriers and signs that direct traffic flow is a good idea to avoid vehicle accidents.
Don’t Excessively Move Boats
Loading docks are one of the most dangerous areas in a warehouse. Proper safety protocols are essential to avoid accidents. For example, ensure all truck trailer wheels are chocked, and employees use jack stands underneath trailers on the dock to prevent “truck creep.”
Additionally, routinely clean loading Palm Beach County docks area for trip and fall hazards from oil, water, or spills. This will help to reduce the risk of injuries caused by forklifts and falling materials.
Don’t Excessively Load Boats
A boat that is too heavily loaded can be dangerous for everyone onboard. It can also make it harder to steer and control.
Loading docks should have visual barriers and guardrails to protect workers and prevent trailers from falling off the edge of a dock. Always following all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for loading docks is essential.
Paying attention to a boat’s capacity when deciding how many passengers and cargo to take on board is essential. Overloading a boat could result in an accident that may cause someone to lose their life.
Don’t Excessively Store Boats
It is essential to remember that boats can be rugged during a storm. If tied too loosely to the dock, they can break free and drift away or be pulled under the water’s surface by the tidal surge. Yearly checks of the dock’s electrical safety are also recommended.
Loading dock safety hazards can include truck trailer creep, creating a gap that workers or forklifts could fall through, slips on oily or wet floors, and collisions between pedestrians and powered industrial trucks. Putting in place warning lights and rail systems can help minimize these accidents.
Don’t Excessively Tie Boats
A docked boat can quickly become a hazard to anyone around it. Whether from wind or wave action, it only takes one loose line to cause severe damage, potentially leading to accidents.
To prevent this, assign crew members for the tying process and approach the dock at an even slower speed than usual. This allows everyone to work together and reduces confusion that could cause an accident.
Don’t Excessively Clean Boats
Keeping dock area floors clear of debris, spills, oil rain, and snow minimizes trip hazards. Also, incorporating non-slip materials on the dock’s surface can help avoid accidents.
Lastly, encouraging dock users to clean their boats regularly helps keep them safe. For example, saltwater etching on windows can be dangerous to someone trying to swim or boat.
Warehouse docks are busy areas where workers, trucks, and equipment move close to each other. Establishing safety procedures and employee training can reduce accidents and injuries around your warehouse docks.
Don’t Excessively Clean the Dock
Over time, a dock can become stained, smelly, and unsafe. A marina needs to inspect its docks regularly to prevent slipping hazards. This could include trash, cargo or machinery falling off containers, nails in the boards, and other obstacles that could trip people.
It is essential to have safety barriers on a loading dock. OSHA requires this for any wall opening or gap over four feet. A guardrail or visual barrier will protect workers from falling off a dock.
Don’t Excessively Clean the Boat Dock
Slipping or tripping on the dock can disrupt your day at the lake. Practicing good dock safety helps reduce this risk and allows you to enjoy your boat dock more.
Ensure all necessary dock equipment is ready to go when you are about to leave for the boat. That includes a fire extinguisher and well-functioning ropes and tow lines.
When cleaning the dock, use a biodegradable, phosphate-free cleaner with a neutral pH. This can help prevent excessive algae growth that could harm people walking around the dock.
