Loading Docks

Every day, billions of dollars of goods are loaded at docks across the country. Machinery, trucks, forklifts, heavy materials, poor weather, and other factors make loading docks a potentially hazardous work environment. Every employer or facility manager who has a loading dock should have a strong safety plan in place, and should do their best to create a safe environment that complies with occupational safety and health standards.

Slippery Walking Surfaces on Loading Docks

Slippery walking surfaces are one of the primary culprits in industrial and workplace accidents. Combine that with workers carrying heavy loads and moving quickly and you have a recipe for disaster. Creating walking surfaces that reduce slipping hazards is a critical first step in safety on loading docks. Many solutions exist that will not only aid you in your next OSHA inspection, but most importantly will protect your workers from injury.

As loading docks are often made of concrete, proper and regular care and maintenance of the walking surface should be a part of your safety program. Buildup of soils and general wear from traffic can make concrete surfaces extremely slippery. As many loading docks are exposed to some degree to the weather, adding rain water can make these areas even more dangerous. Keeping a clean dock will help prevent slips and falls.

Adding products or coatings to the surface of your loading dock can also enhance safety. Epoxy or rubber resin-based applications can increase the traction of your loading dock, even when wet. Adding granules to these coatings in key high-traffic areas is often a good, effective solution in outdoor work spaces. Using brightly colored coatings to enhance worker awareness can also be beneficial.