It is estimated that one in four warehouse accidents happen in loading bays. Here is a guide to keeping loading bay areas safe and protecting workers…
The combination of large vehicles reversing into spaces where workers are busy loading and unloading large items makes loading bays particularly hazardous areas. Here are some steps to take to ensure that loading areas are as safe as possible.
Step 1: make sure that individuals who are not involved in loading or unloading are kept away from loading areas.
This note comes at the top of the HSE advice on keeping loading areas safe
Ensure that you have a note of who needs to be in the loading area and who does not and train staff to ensure that they do not enter the loading bay area unless they need to be there and have had appropriate training.
Barrier fencing is one way to block off a loading bay area, to ensure that staff or members of the public don’t accidentally enter the zone.
Flexible, yet robust systems such as this Titan Barrier Fencing system are an option and as always our team can discuss the best option for your needs.
See page 210 https://www.easyflip.co.uk/cisafety/
Step 2: Ensure there is enough space in loading areas for vehicles to move safely and for people to move around.
The primary cause of accidents in loading bays is vehicles reversing and hitting pedestrians. Ensuring that there is enough space for workers and lorries or vans or forklifts to move around safely is, therefore, a priority.
HSE guidance is that where possible you should remove the need for reversing altogether by setting up one-way systems such as drive-through loading and unloading positions.
Advice is also to ensure that loading bays have at least one pedestrian exit, or two for wide bays and that a refuge place is provided where staff can escape should they find a vehicle reversing towards them and have no means of communicating with the driver to stop
Having clearly marked walkways for pedestrians, which vehicles and forklifts avoid can also be helpful, as can marking spaces for palettes or storage locations so these are not placed on pedestrian routes or in locations which cause drivers to manoeuvre in ways that risk worker safety.
It is also important to ensure that loading bays are designed with space around the bays so that people can move safely around the vehicle without being trapped.
Floor markers can help you to establish these palette or storage zones, and also mark out walkways for pedestrians.
Step 3: Check safety features of loading platforms
The height of vehicle load platforms can vary, including between the points when a vehicle is empty or loaded. Loading and unloading workers need to be aware of this. It is better to have a bay platform slightly lower than the vehicle platform, rather than one that is slightly higher. The edges of loading bays need to be marked clearly.
'Dock levellers' (adjustable ramps that can cover the height difference between the vehicle and bay platforms) can be used. These should not be extended to a steep slope, because anything crossing the surface is difficult to control. Many dock levellers use a hinged lip to connect the ramp to the vehicle load platform. Care should be taken that this lip does not trap anything as it unfolds or folds. People using dock levellers and other loading equipment should be trained and competent to do so safely.
Falls from loading platforms are also a risk and using a barrier system such as that suggested above or secure guardrails can be a way to protect workers against falls.
More resources
You can find more information and a guide to safety in loading bays here at the HSE website: https://www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport/loading.htm
Our sales team are also happy to discuss potential solutions and measures that can improve safety. Contact us at sales@cisafety.com or call 01726 74264.
Loading bay safety guide, as there would be safety products in the signs catalogue that we can promote with this too. Did you have any product ideas for this eshot? Barriers would be one, see page 211 or 216, or floor markers page 217 https://www.easyflip.co.uk/cisafety.