Introduction
Hazards for loading docks include making heavy or repeated lifts, working with dock, levelers and dock plates, as well as working near trailers that may tip over or separate from the dock.
Other possible hazards include: strapping, poor maintenance of rubber wheels, improper shrink wrapping and assembly of loads, congested docks, poor weather conditions, chemical exposure or leaking chemicals
Hazard: Shrink Wrapping and Improper Assembly of Loads
Details
*Wrapping loads by hand requires you to use poor body mechanics and circle the load many times. This can also cause dizziness and cause you to stray into oncoming equipment and traffic
*Poorly constructed loads on pallets can collapse, creating lifting hazards or falling on delivery staff or pedestrians
Threat
*Low back injury
*Wrist and muscle strain
*Possible injury to your shoulders and upper back
*Crush injury, bruising or broken bones
Safe Work Guidelines
*Whenever possible, use automated wrapping equipment
*If you must wrap by hand:
– use ergonomically correct tools, and
– rotate to other jobs so that you do not have to wrap too many loads on a shift
*Order shrink-wrap on spools that have a wide diameter and are light
*Wrap skids in one specific area and make sure that all equipment operators are aware of this area
*To reduce should and upper back injury when you are wrapping make sure that skids are not
built above shoulder height
*Alternate your wrapping direction and techniques
*Fill the hollow inside of loads with air pillows or used shrink-wrap
*If you are a driver use ergonomic lifting, pulling and reaching devices such as “lambs’ hooks”
*Make sure that you are trained in product integrity and how to build stable loads
*If possible, go out with the driver on a regular delivery, so that you will understand how
the way you assemble orders can affect the drivers job
Hazard: Lifting Below the Knees and Above the Shoulders
Details
*Workers must keep bending forwards at the waist to put boxes on the lower levels of pallets
*Some loads come in too high and need to have the top rows removed to fit into bin bay
*Many times, receivers start to lift right after sitting on the forklift for long periods of time.
*Muscles tire quickly when you work in a fixed or awkward position, causing higher risk of injury
Threat
*Lower and upper back injuries
*Shoulder injuries
*Carpal tunnel syndrome
*Tennis elbow
*Shoulder bursitis
Safe Work Guidelines
*Make sure that you have had enough training on lifting hazards and proper lifting techniques
*Ask your employer for ergonomically designed tools to reduce the stress on your body
*Pay attention to the postures you use when working
*Whenever possible, rotate duties so that you can vary your postures
*Adjust the height of the forks to get your load to an ideal height
*Use a stable step stool or platform to reach high items and place extra product on raised skids
*Allow time to warm up your back muscles after sitting on the forklift and before hand-bombing
*Consider using forklift attachments like slipsheet clamps or carton clamps
For Original Article Click the Link Below:
Loading Docks and Warehouse
