Flatbed Trailer Safety
Hi all. I am looking for some insight into flatbed trailer loading/unloading safety. We had a flatbed take off while we were unloading with a fork truck (from floor level). Luckily, my operator was able to lift the forks and get out of the way. Our current control is to chock the wheels (wasn't done), and that's it. I've presented a few ideas to leadership that weren't received well. What controls have you all used? Additional info: these trucks are driven into the facility, not at a dock (dok-lok won't work in this application). Also, our customers arrange their own pickups so the trucking company can vary greatly (not just normal vendors dropping off raw materials). Thank you!
Comments (7)
Wheel chocks and remove the keys from the ignition, at a minimum, if you can't do dock lock systems. Removing the keys from the ignition and putting them in your pocket is a form of LOTO primarily used for automotive industry (and have had a customer get cited for not doing that).
Depending on the height of the flatbed, may need fall protection, as well.
I agree with Drew but added one thing. In the corporate world we had a Steel Bar Stock Receiving Room. Flatbed Trucks always brought in tons and tons of steel stock in 12' lengths, from .250" to 4" in hex and circular stock (mostly L1211 steel) everyday. We used a 10-ton bridge crane to take off the bundles of steel rods. Our people and the truck drivers would get on the flatbeds. We had a "One Out of Two Rule for Unloading Steel". We would not unload any steel till either the ER Brakes were set in the truck or the trailer wheels chocked or both.
I was always worried about Fall Protection. When I measured the height of the flatbeds from the floor we were right at 4'. The middle of the flatbeds would bow up slightly as steel was removed. I tied to work with the trucking companies to add removeable vertical bars so netting or cross bars could be used, but they would not do it. The only practical solution I could find was side platforms like this:
https://safesmartusa.com/products/safeloader-platform?variant=32260567105639
But at a system cost of at least $50K (and that was 6 years ago), Division Headquarters just would not swallow it! I was still working on it when I retired, one of my biggest frustrations ever and one I was never ever able to solve. The trucks would come in covered in ice and snow, I would send picture after picture to Corp EHS, but no one would ever listen. I live and work near Green Bay, WI. For me I solved it by retiring to start my own business!
Good Luck, I would be really interested in what you do!
All the things Drew and Tom have stated if the loading area is designated, maybe add signage in plain view of the driver with steps and procedures for securing the vehicle for the safe loading and unloading when equipment is being used or personnel are on the flatbed.
1. set break
2. Place in park
3. turn off engine and remove keys or turn off starter switch (Fire Trucks don't have keys)
4. Chocks can either be the drivers responsibility or loaders, either one needs to be verified visually by driver
Some trucking companies will give you a really hard time on keys. With a truck connected I would consider that a "live load " and have seen loto boxes that truck keys would go in and every employee would place a lock on that box, group loto essentially. Another great way is to disconnect the airline for the trailer breaks and place a glandhand lock on the trailer air line connection point.
we had a HiPo Near miss with this at the big red. we implemented a check list. driver training, brakes and wheels chocked, spotter, steel guards in place, driver out of truck, truck designated parking area, cones and area blocked off. If the company we were procuring steel from failed to train drivers, we found a new company to buy from.