Help
Any fellow Safety folks have any suggestions on a fall protection issue we have at my company. We have sunken flatbed trailer docks we load with overhead cranes at our facility. The gap between the edge of the dock is about 1.5ft wide on both sides of the trailer, we have had several injuries due to falls in the gap. Does anyone have a good way to eliminate the gap. We have tried several different ways but anything that restricts access also causes issues in our process. I have been battling this for about a year and can’t find a viable option. Any help greatly appreciated. Picture below is example of issue, entire length of trailer must be used.
Comments (7)
Saw this during a presentation at a safety conference. Its hard to see but this ledge also folds against the concrete wall so trucks still have a gap when coming in.
The below photo from Matt looks similar to "roof racks" I've seen at some trailer repair and manufacturing facilities.
I sure would like to know if and how you solve it! As a site manager at a large machine shop we unloaded steel and brass bars from flatbed trucks almost every day inside our one of Shipping Docks. Our Receiving employees would go on the flatbeds with the 10 ton crane pendants to take the steel and brass bundles off. Brass was taken off in a dock well very much like yours above. The steel was just backed into a large barn type building. There was nothing on the sides of the steel truck flatbeds. We got our steel and brass from the Detroit area and we are located just south of Green Bay, WI. I was always scared in the winters as the trucks would be covered in ice and snow and the beds very slippery. Scared the heck out of me!
I got quotes from a supplier on a setup like Tom Johnson has here. The cost was in excess of $100K. When I presented it to upper management all I heard was that it had been like that for 50 years with no problem. They would risk another 50.
I did not find Matt's solution when I was looking but I like it. But I am wondering how long they would last with a semis backing into the well often. Even though they fold down, still think it would be only a matter of time before they were taken off!
As far as I know I retired from my former employer 6 years ago, and the hazards still exist. I hope you have better luck than I did!
Here is another option I seen online as well that form a railing system on the actual trailer.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcaisafety.com%2Fproduct%2Fflatbed-truck-mounted-guardrail%2F&psig=AOvVaw0MBIfWEuSGLgVyvmy2Z8jV&ust=1703339816179000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBIQjRxqFwoTCOiNwreZo4MDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAL
Here is something that might have some potential.... made specifically for flat bed truck safety.
https://garlocksafety.com/products/speedguard-ii-flatbed-fall-protection-system/