Safety at the Loading Dock

Safety at the Loading Dock

Warehouse facility managers have always faced safety challenges, particularly with regard to loading dock areas. While significant advances in dock safety equipment and procedures have taken place in recent years, loading docks remain an area of concern and managers now face a host of new issues to deal with. The re-opening of Panama Canal is among the largest. With post-Panamax ships now able to reach the eastern United States, an influx of intermodal containers will arrive at Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast ports. This means we'll see more intermodal cargo container chassis on highways and at loading docks across the country.

Although on a macro level this is a great enhancement to the global logistics infrastructure, on a micro level it could be a concern for warehouses and distribution centers (DCs). That's because many intermodal containers have obstructed rear impact guards (RIGs), making them resistant to most vehicle restraints. This is a two-sided problem as unsecured trailers not only create a safety issue, they are also more conducive to cargo theft.

Fortunately, some of the same equipment and procedural advances that have made loading docks safer for workers also help protect them from cargo thieves.

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