W.E. Carlson—Trends & Issues: Loading Dock Accidents, Vacant Docks, Early Departure, Dock Walk

Loading Dock Accidents

Case Study: Rite-Hite Vehicle Restraint Prevents Catastrophe

According to statistics reported by the US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA,) more than 4,500 forklift accidents each year are due to a lift truck running off the loading dock.

While thousands of accidents are reported annually, many are not, especially near misses. Unfortunately, accidents usually are only reported if the person dies or sustains substantial injuries. Employee training and safety protocols and procedures, and advancements in loading dock safety equipment are crucial in minimizing potentially life-threatening situations, such as:


Vacant Docks Forklift drivers may back into a vacant position while turning the forklift around, and a typical loading dock door cannot stop a moving forklift.		Early Departure Truck drivers may mistakenly drive away while a forklift is entering, leaving or still inside the trailer.

Trailer Up Ending/Trailer Pop-Up
Spotted trailers at loading dock positions may separate from the dock if the landing gear collapses or if the trailer's nose pops up or goes down (i.e., trailer upending) due to an uneven weight distribution as a forklift enters the trailer. Trailers that are leaving or backing into dock positions may collide with a spotted trailer, causing it to topple over.

Dock Walk/Trailer Creep
Trailers gradually move away from the dock due to the ongoing impact and momentum of forklifts traveling in and out of them. This is referred to as "Trailer Creep" or "Dock Walk". Eventually the leveler lip loses contact with the bed of the trailer and a dangerous gap results between the trailer and dock. The "walk" is more pronounced with air-ride trailers.

Vehicle Restraints	Loading Dock Levelers	Truck Levelers	Loading Dock Seals & Shelters	Loading Dock Accessories
Loading Dock Upgrades	Loading Dock Conversion Kits	Pre-Fabricated Buildings	In-Plant Offices	Mezzanines
Vertical Lifts	Ergonomic Lifts	Barrier Systems	About W.E. Carlson	Northern Illinois Loading Dock & Door Distributor
NW Indiana Loading Dock & Door Distributor	Material Handling Solutions	Loading Dock Safety Systems	Whole Body Vibration	Smooth Transition Dok System
Environmental Solutions	Facility Productivity Solutions	Loading Dock Design	Loading Dock Maintenance	Loading Dock Repair
Industrial Door Maintenance	Industrial Door Repair	Loading Dock Equipment	HV/LS Industrial Ceiling Fan