With the average loading dock height in the United States between 48 and 55 inches, the height factor becomes a major fall hazard making flatbed trailer fall protection a must. The risk of falling gets even worse during winter and around the holidays because dock workers face dangers not only from the inclement weather but also from the increased production and traffic.
In the winter, snow and ice make loading docks slippery, putting truck drivers, forklift operators, and dockhands at increased risk of slips and falls. During this period, warehouses become extremely busy, and the workers may have to work long hours. This can lead to fatigue, which can increase the risk of falls.
According to OSHA standard 1910.28(b)(1)(i), a loading dock that creates a drop of four feet (48 inches) or more above a lower level must adequately protect employees from falls. Ultimately, it is the employers' responsibility to ensure their employees work in safe conditions. Therefore, offering loading dock and flatbed trailer fall protection should be every warehouse's or distribution center's number one priority.
The regulation further stipulates the type of OSHA-compliant dock barriers that loading docks should use, which include guardrail systems, safety net systems, and personal fall protection systems. Other safety systems that warehouses should invest in to provide fall protection on the loading dock include flatbed trailer side rails and loading dock safety railings.
Why is it important to provide loading dock workers with adequate fall protection? The most obvious reason is that it reduces the number of falls in the workplace. Fall-related injuries can be devastating on an emotional, physical, and financial level for load dock workers, their families, and their employer, even more so during the holiday season.
What are the repercussions of failing to provide loading dock and flatbed trailer fall protection? In addition to the devastating effects of fall-related injuries, a company that does not offer fall protection to its workers is subject to OSHA's penalties. For instance, a company may pay up to $14,502 per serious violation and up to $145,027 per willful or repeated violation.
There also unquantifiable effects on employee morale that take a toll on your team's productivity, costing further time and money during the busy holiday season.
When thinking about OSHA-compliant fall protection, warehouses must consider two critical areas: the loading dock area and the trailers' edges. We will highlight the benefits of using different fall protection systems for these areas.
These systems provide adequate fall protection for a wide variety of loading areas. The benefits of OSHA-compliant loading dock gates include the following:
First, they help keep workers safe by preventing them from falling off the loading dock.
Second, they help keep the loading dock area clean and debris-free.
Third, they help keep the loading dock area free of traffic congestion.
Fourth, they help reduce the chances of accidents and injuries.
Finally, dock gates help improve the overall efficiency of the loading dock area.
There are many advantages of using OSHA-compliant flatbed trailer side rails. Here are some of the main benefits of using these rails:
One of the most important benefits of using flatbed trailer safety rails on your flatbed trailer is that they can help prevent accidents and injuries. If a worker falls off the side of the trailer, the side rails can help prevent them from falling to the ground. This can help reduce the risk of serious injuries.
Trailers are a huge investment that owners strive to keep in good condition for as long as possible. Besides offering flatbed trailer fall protection, side rails can help increase the life of your trailer if you frequently transport large, heavy loads. By providing a barrier between the load and the trailer, side rails can help prevent damage to the trailer during loading and unloading.
In addition, flatbed trailer side rails can also help keep the load from shifting during transport. This helps to protect goods in transit, as well as help prevent accidents that can occur due to falling loads.
When it comes to protecting your loading dock employees from falls at the workplace during the busy winter holiday months, you need to make sure you have the best possible fall protection system in place. This means having a high-quality system that meets all of the OSHA requirements through the entire loading and unloading process.
If you are ready to invest in high-quality OSHA-compliant fall protection systems, BlueWater and the Tractel family of safety solutions has you covered. We are a reputable manufacturer of industry-leading, non-penetrating fall guardrail systems, including flatbed trailer side rails, loading dock safety railings, and loading dock gates.
