We appreciate your interest in occupational safety and health. General industry regulations relative to truck loading docks are largely embedded in requirements for Powered Industrial Trucks, as outlined by OSHA: (1910.178). K SECURING LOADS FOR TRANSPORT / BINDERS & WRAPPERS Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division 437-007-1010(10)(a) K-4 437-007-1015(2)(a)(B) (a) Must meet the requirements of 437-007-1010(7), or (b) All perimeter logs must be contained by no less than two wrappers. Standard Number 108 requires trailers to have functioning original or replacement lights. (27) A loaded vehicle shall not be moved until the load is safe and secure. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, also called OSHA, requires employers to provide a safe working environment for employees. 29 CFR 1910.178 (k) (1) and (m) (7): Mechanical Means to Secure Trucks or Trailers to a Loading Dock. OSHA Railing requirements for Stair Railing: Required on stairs with four or more risers. Allows the use of mechanical means to secure trucks or trailers to a loading dock in situations where they provide the equivalent protection of wheel chocks. Pedestrian and powered truck collision. Install fixed jacks to support a semi-trailer that is not coupled to a tractor to prevent it from upending. OSHA will continue to enforce regulations applicable to loading dock operations. Part. This is a federal guideline that is enforced strictly, so make sure to check up on your local requirements. The total working load limit of the . Miles, Jr., Director Directorate of Compliance Programs OSHA Standards say, "OSHA regulations govern the safety and health of the workers and the responsibilities of employers to ensure their safety at the warehouse, dock, construction sites, and other places truckers . It is important to note that a 1996 OSHA memorandum from John B. Page 6 . 208. Lifting the slit coil Reg. 30 to 34 inches in height. Place about sixty percent of your cargo on the front half of the flatbed and secure it with appropriate tensioning devices, chains, or straps . (26) Trucks shall not be loaded in excess of their rated capacity. Loads. Moving unsecured loads. FMVSS Number. Whoever willfully and knowingly operates, owns or causes to be operated on any public highway, road, street or public right-of-way a motor vehicle so loaded with gravel, rock, slag, bricks, in such manner . With large swivel casters, the platforms can easily be rolled alongside the flatbed and rolled away when the truck leaves. You should not load 60% of your weight onto the front of your trailer and call it good. OSHA has since updated their interpretation from 2004 and omitted trailers and vehicles from the relevant regulation. So, in short, when loading and unloading trailers within 6 of the next surface, fall protection is needed. The loading dock area must be inspected regularly to identify potential hazards that may include: Slips, trips and falls caused by floor conditions, poor housekeeping, or dock edge. NEVER exceed the recommended maximum towing capacity He continued to load the slit coil. Be smooth in texture to avoid injuries . The new proposed fall protection standard, 55 Fed. 4/1/15. 13360, explicitly excludes rolling stock from coverage. Check that the height of the vehicle's entrance door clears the forklift height by at least 5 cm (2 in.). 12. Here are four rules to add to your load securement checklist when securing cargo on flatbed trailers. The law states that air-braked power units (made on or before March of 1975) are enough to keep a commercial motor vehicles from moving during the loading and unloading process. Health and safety standards are contained in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations ( 29 CFR ), and are available online. Not seeing the truck driver around, he assumed the driver had gone to the nearby office or amenities. Specific requirements aimed at preventing trailer/dock separation incidents appear below. Subject. Tighten all parts, bolts, nuts, and mounting hardware. 32-5-76. The OSHA catwalk load requirements are addressed in Section 1910.21 and 1910.22 - General requirements for Walking-working surfaces. Place containers, packaging, tools, and other materials safely out of walking and driving areas. Trailers can be tipped by the weight of the forklift if they are not connected to a tractor. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the following items on the DOT trailer inspection checklist will be reviewed to ensure that your equipment is operating as intended: Brake connections. Top railing height must be 39 inches and 45 inches above the walking-working surface. (28) Extreme care shall be taken when tilting loads. The driver or a . According to OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.28 (b) (1) (i), a dock that creates a drop of four feet or more must be guarded with a barrier. Seldom used or rusted landing gear may collapse under extreme weight conditions. Block or secure trailer cargo to prevent the load from shifting during transit and unloading. Keep Floors Clean, Dry, and in Good Condition. Sincerely, John B. (c) Wrappers must be placed near each end of the logs. Steel: 2 x 2 x 3/8 inch angles . Balancing all of these elements minimizes hazards, injuries and . It is important to note that a 1996 OSHA memorandum from John B. Shifting loads can strike, injure, and engulf workers while a sudden shift in center of gravity can overturn a trailer. (3) Fixed jacks may be necessary to support a semitrailer and prevent upending during the loading or unloading when the trailer is not coupled to a tractor. Parking closer than 8 1/2 feet from the centerline of railroad tracks is prohibited. If five or more people are employed, the findings of the risk assessment must be in writing. Miles states that, "The current fall protection standard in general industry (Subpart D) does not specifically address fall hazards from the tops of rolling stock. (Federal OSHA enforces the seat belt issue under the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act; there is not a specific regulation.) Chains are one-way employers can create a barrier, but bars are often recommended. Railing Must: Be 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) in diameter. We take this mission seriously and have the industry's best OSHA compliant technology, engineering, and onsite service. 1. CS-S-15 1 9/15/2021 . ( Loading and unloading requires all your concentration. Spilling Loads or Litter; Penalty. View. (45,400 kg). Property Damage 3. If the bed is raised too quickly, the rearward shift of the load could damage the lift mechanism or cause . The current DOT load securement regulations were first published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in 2002. Double-check your specs and evenly distribute cargo on the flatbed trailer. Department of Public Safety, Montgomery, AL 334-242-4395. Be a stickler for manufacturer ratings and recommendations when hauling heavy freight on your flatbed trailer. 6.3. Make sure floors can support the combined weight of the . In the OSHA CFR, there are several different sections (also called parts) of safety and health . The U.S. Department of Transportation has a mandatory regulation (49 CFR 393.86) that all truck trailers be equipped with a rear end protection device mounted at the rear to prevent cars from being wedged underneath the back of a trailer during a collision. Safety equipment must be considered. Loading and Unloading Trucks and Trailers General: 6.3.1. ( If there is a behavior problem on the bus, wait until the students unloading are safely off the bus and have moved away. The International Labor Organization, an agency of the UN, reports that too little light at work can cause eye strain, fatigue, headaches, stress and accidents, while too much lighting can be responsible for stress and glare-induced headaches. Forklift safety should exceed these requirements. Slips and falls. 4. The company's written policy states that trailer wheels must be chocked prior to the loading or unloading operations, and that the drivers were expected to follow that requirement. Load securement is a blanket term covering all the factors you need to consider if your fleets transport heavy loads or pieces of equipment: . In light of the rescinding of Section 392.20, OSHA will enforce the requirements of 1910.178 (k) (1) and 1910.178 (m) (7) for trucks and trailers, except for agricultural commodity trailers, heavy haulers, and pulpwood trailers. Chock the vehicles' wheels. OSHA Regulations OSHA requires that trucks be immobilized during the loading and unloading process to ensure safety of the workers. OSHA catwalk load requirements. 1910.176 (c) Housekeeping. Actions. If you still have a question that needs to be answered, call us at 1-877-564-2333 or use the contact form. Semitrailers, flatbeds and straight trucks all have bed heights that closely align with 48-inch-high platforms, so loading dock platforms most commonly are 44 to 48 inches high. If your drivers are working at a general industry site, that number becomes 4. Ensure that the trailer floor is in good condition and that it can support the weight of the forklift and its load. They have an overall retracted length of 42" (1065 mm) and an overall extended length of 55" (1400 mm) and a static load capacity of 100,000 lbs. Yes, normally it is a good rule of thumb to load 60% of your weight towards the front of the trailer but it all just depends on what you are towing and it varies between each and every load. Flatbed Loading Fall Protection Made Simple. Alabama Laws Maximum trailer length - 40 feet Maximum trailer width - 8 feet Maximum trailer height - 13 feet 6 inches Weight requiring trailer brakes - 3,000 pounds or more Follow the manufacturers' towing specifications for the tow vehicle, trailer, and all of the tow package components. 1. No matter how it appears, one thing is always constant: the need for safety. DOT Trailer Inspection Requirements Checklist. This instruction allows the use of a mechanical means which secures trucks or trailers to a loading dock in situations in . In all locations, OSHA has jurisdiction over forklift operators and terminal employees who perform loading and unloading operations. by OSHA OSHA Instruction STD 1-11.7 August 5, 1981 Office of Compliance Programming Subject: 29 CFR 1910.178(k)(1) and (m)(7): Mechanical Means to Secure Trucks or Trailers to a Loading Dock Trailer stabilizing jacks are just one part of safe unloading and loading of semi-trailers. August 5, 1981. For further information or questions about dock equipment and OSHA guidelines, please contact us at 888-990-1150 or visit www.HofEquipment.com. However, Randy explained, OSHA rules and regulations are considered the minimum that an employer must do for workplace safety. Landings & Platforms. Beginning May 1, Ministry of Labour inspectors will check that employers are complying with Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act. OSHA also requires the surface of the railing itself must be smooth to protect employees from injuries; such as cuts, punctures and to prevent snagging. Trucks and trailers can creep away from docks while loading and unloading due to the weight and force of the forklift. Other standards that can apply to loading dock safety are slips, trips and falls, which can be found in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.22 walking-working surfaces and the ANSI A1264.2-2006 provision for the slip resistance on walking/working surfaces. On September 27, 2002, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published new cargo securement rules. Chock the vehicles' wheels. A properly functioning light system increases visibility and . SafeRack rolling platforms provide a safe walk surface beside the flatbed truck trailer while loading. Level. Pull behind trailers must have working rear lights, turn lights and brake lights. When emptying, raise the bed slowly and allow the contents to slide slowly toward the rear. Motor carriers operating in interstate commerce must comply with the new requirements beginning January 1, 2004. OSHA states that any wall opening or hole with a drop more than four feet must have a barrier. Current information can also be found on the website of several different agencies involved with the trucking industry (see . All pipe/cylindrical stock should be off-loaded either by a hydraulic excavator fitted with a vacuum lift, pipe layer or crane fitted with a Comments OSHA investigated the incident. Intermediate rail at "about halfway up". Pipe Loading and Unloading Safety During Construction Activities . Document Revision Date . The ma ximum intended load means the total load (weight and force) of all employees, equipment, vehicles, tools, materials, and other loads the employer reasonably anticipates to be applied to a walking-working surface at any one time. Permanent aisles and passageways shall be appropriately marked. 49 CFR Part 595. For example, a load that is 22 feet long would require three tie downs if it's placed against a header board and an additional device if it's in the center of the trailer. NHTSA issues Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to implement laws from Congress. Our crews install all types of shipping-loading dock markings for indoor and outdoor environments. (1910.25 (b) (4)) Door or gate present: The door or gate must open up onto a . When filling the truck or dump trailer, evenly distribute the contents to maintain proper flow and prevent the load from shifting during unloading. This will include checking that new and young workers: This applies to any workplace. Clean up and properly dispose of trash. The new rules are based on the North American Cargo Securement Standard Model Regulations, reflecting the results of a multi-year research program to evaluate U.S . Brakes. This standard applies to the lamps, reflective devices and any other devices associated with the lighting system. The explicit purpose of forklift safety is to eliminate: 1. Don't take your eyes off what is happening outside the bus. You must use two tie-downs if you transport an item less than 5 feet long that weighs more than 1,100 pounds or on any item between the length of 5 and 10 feet, regardless of weight. OSHA regulations for machine guarding found in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.211 should also be applied. Regulations. Post signs warning not to move the vehicle. 29 CFR 1910.178 (m) (6) - "A safe distance shall be . 29 CFR 1910.178 (n) (7) - "Grades shall be ascended or descended slowly.". NTSB has also issued previous recommendations I-88-1 and I-88-2 to the Department of Transportation, and R-02-16 to the Federal Railroad Administration related to loading and unloading safety requirements: I-88-1: Establish safety requirements for the movement and temporary storage of hazardous materials at intermodal transportation facilities. Purpose. Specific requirements aimed at preventing trailer/dock separation incidents appear below: 1910.178 (k) (1): The brakes of highway trucks shall be set and wheel chocks placed under the rear wheels to prevent the trucks from rolling while they are boarded with powered industrial trucks. 3. The systems are available in a variety of lengths and as part of a manual . A. Quick Tips #297. Be on the Lookout for These Loading Dock Hazards: Injuries from careless behavior around forklifts and other vehicles. However, the FMCSA does require blocks or chocks for all agricultural commodity trailers, pulpwood trailers and heavy haulers. Best Practice Hints: After loading large rounds on the driver's side of the trailer, the forklift driver returned to place a slit coil on the kerb side of the trailer. There are many good reasons for the existence of the OSHA lighting requirements for workplaces across the US. Trailer creep, which can cause a gap between the trailer and dock. PRINCIPAL SAFETY STANDARDS Trailer & Camper Safety, Publication # DOT HS-802586, from U.S. De-partment of Transportation, National Highway . The International Labor Organization, an agency of the UN, reports that too little light at work can cause eye strain, fatigue, headaches, stress and accidents, while too much lighting can be responsible for stress and glare-induced headaches. Post signs warning not to move the vehicle. Platforms can be placed at the top, middle, or bottom of a set of metal stairs. (1910.25 (b) (4)) Depth: Platforms must be at least 30 inches deep, as measured in the direction of travel. Accidents and Injuries 2. What to use for Railings: Wood Railings: 2 x 4 stock, not more than 6 feet apart. State & Federal Regulations. 13360, explicitly excludes rolling stock from coverage. Since 2003, SafeRack is an industry leader in preventing one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities, injuries, and lost time accidents. Racking may help stability. Loads should be secured, or arranged so that they do not slide around. Don't deal with on-bus problems when unloading and loading. What the agencies say In order to comply with OSHA, employers must learn their obligations -- and find . Thus, a 12-foot load requires three tie-downs and a 22-foot load needs four. STD 01-11-007 (STD 1-11.7), (August 5, 1981). Dock levelers or bridge plates can malfunction or break. These regulations allow us to fulfill our mission to prevent and reduce vehicle crashes. Trailer storage lanes (Before) Trailer storage lanes (After) Indoor safety markings are very important in active loading/unloading zones, storage racks, enter/exit doorways etc. Identifying "clear zones" and durable professionally installed . The OSHA rules, contained in 29 CFR 1910.178(k)(1) and (m)(7), further state that "fixed jacks may be necessary to support a semitrailer during loading or unloading when the trailer is not . OSHA catwalk load requirements. There are many good reasons for the existence of the OSHA lighting requirements for workplaces across the US. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require every employer and self-employed person to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the health and safety risks to employees and others to which their undertakings give rise. Office of Compliance Programming. Coupling chains. Reg. Loads must be suitably packaged. The new proposed fall protection standard, 55 Fed. Pipe Railings: 1-1/2 nominal diameter, not more than 8 feet apart. To maintain stability, trailers should be parked on firm level ground, Loads should be spread as evenly as possible, during both loading and unloading. Miles states that, "The current fall protection standard in general industry (Subpart D) does not specifically address fall hazards from the tops of rolling stock. This is all explained in Federal OSHA's 10/09/1996 Seat Belt Policy (corrected in 2007). Equipment Abuses and Damage Meeting OSHA requirements requires understanding and enforcement of these standards with the implementation of training programs for forklift operators. Standards include setting brakes, setting wheel blocks, and using a jack stand. Federal laws require one tiedown for every ten feet of cargo, and any fraction of that measurement requires an additional device. For each additional 10 feet in cargo length, you must use one more tie-down. The flooring of trucks, trailers, and railroad cars shall be checked for breaks and weakness before they are driven onto. OSHA regulations govern the safety and health of the workers and the responsibilities of employers to ensure their safety at the warehouse, dock, construction site, and in other places truckers go to deliver and pick up loads throughout the country. The midrails should be placed halfway between the top edge of the railing and the working-walking surface. OSHA provides a range for the railings to ensure your system is safe and compliant. Forklifts overturning. TS-2000 Trailer Stands are designed to fit most types of trailers that may come into your loading docks. We offer a variety of personal fall protection lifelines . Compliance 1910.178, Powered industrial trucks 1910.305, Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use 1910.157, Portable fire extinguishers 1910.132, General requirements (Personal protective equipment) Adjust load on trailer so tongue weight is approximately 10% of the gross trailer weight and center load side-to-side to reduce fishtailing. Trailer floors can be weak or damaged. Install fixed jacks to support a semi-trailer that is not coupled to a tractor to prevent it from upending. Loading dock safety is a careful blend of many factors: Employee training, engineering controls, adherence to standard operating procedures, good housekeeping, logistics and double-checking variables. . Dock Safety: Common Hazards. The reason for this exception is that DOT rules, i.e.393.41, continue to deal with the chocking of these vehicles. The rules and regulations regarding standard safe loading practices of enclosed and flatbed types of trailers for a semi-tractor service is extensively covered in truck driver training schools. While the jack is in place, the trailer is immobilized and typically is raised off the ground. 1910.178 (m) (7): Brakes shall be set and wheel blocks shall . Keep in mind the GVW and never go over that total weight rating. (1) The brakes of highway trucks shall be set and wheel chocks placed under the rear wheels to prevent the trucks from rolling while they are boarded with powered industrial trucks. When pallets are used, the driver needs to check that: They are in good condition Loads are properly secured to them. Many states also have their own workplace safety law. If there's even a sliver of doubt, be sure to check . If we can be of further assistance, please contact Wil Epps of my staff at (202) 219-8041. (anchor) tie-down: attaches directly from the trailer to the load . In November 2016, a 37-year-old Rockland Massachusetts employee died while guiding a trucker backing up to a loading dock after becoming trapped between the dock and trailer. Storage areas shall be kept free from accumulation of materials that constitute hazards from tripping . It's important to note that OSHA covers only federal baseline requirements; states may have their own, stricter requirements. The ma ximum intended load means the total load (weight and force) of all employees, equipment, vehicles, tools, materials, and other loads the employer reasonably anticipates to be applied to a walking-working surface at any one time. Width : Platforms must be at least the width of the stairs. Guardrail height must be between 39 inches and 45 inches. 2. Bars often have less give than chains and can prevent a forklift or individual from falling off the loading dock. The worker apparently lost his footing and fell from the platform ramp of the loading dock. old trailers. It is often recommended to use bars as they will have the most protection against a forklift or person falling off the loading dock. Uneven loads can make the vehicle or trailer unstable. Check that the height of the vehicle's entrance door clears the forklift height by at least 5 cm (2 in.). You should be keeping your tongue weight of your trailer between 10 . The OSHA catwalk load requirements are addressed in Section 1910.21 and 1910.22 - General requirements for Walking-working surfaces.