Development of a Loading Dock Safety Evaluation Tool

Companies that use forklifts to load and unload trucks at loading docks are well aware of the main danger associated with this type of activity (i.e., the possibility of the forklift falling or tipping over when the truck suddenly moves away from the dock). Even if various truck restraint measures can be implemented to reduce the possibility of this type of accident, a number of hazardous incidents that result in a forklift tipping over from a loading dock still do occur regularly in day-to-day activities. This situation has brought experts to examine and evaluate the effectiveness of different measures and systems depending on the context in which they are used. The present study touched upon both the technical and the organizational aspects of the restraint measures that could have an impact on safety. Certain elements were examined very closely, especially the failure of mechanical devices and their relation to the environment in which they are used, as well as the systemic interaction between people and the various restraint measures in use in a given context. This article presents a safety evaluation tool regarding restraint measures or systems for trucks docked at loading platforms -- a tool that, of course, would take into consideration both the specific contextual aspects related to the docking bay itself, and to the plant. This tool is designed to help companies choose the optimal safety measures to implement, while remaining realistic in terms of the technical and economic aspects of any given situation.

• Record URL:
  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V6F-4N276HS-1/2/46fccf61e2d3e73732ea43456462072f
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1800052
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Elsevier
• Authors:
  • Gauthier, Francois
  • Giraud, Laurent
  • Bournival, Sylvain
  • Bourbonniere, Real
  • Richard, Jean-Guy
  • Daigle, Renaud
  • Masse, Serge
• Publication Date: 2007

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 35-51
• Serial:
  • Journal of Safety Research
  • Volume: 38
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0022-4375
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00224375

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Evaluation and assessment; Fork lifts; Human factors; Restraint systems; Risk analysis; Safety; Safety engineering; Trucks
• Uncontrolled Terms: Loading dock; Safety evaluation; Truck restraint systems
• Subject Areas: Highways; Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors; Society; Vehicles and Equipment; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01044693
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 28 2007 7:04AM