Loading bays see a lot of activity throughout the working day. The logistics industry is bigger than ever, with deliveries to and from industrial sites taking place constantly throughout the working day. With the industry growing all the time, there are also more people working in logistics roles, which can create skill gaps when it comes to tasks; namely, loading and unloading.
Loading and unloading trailers safely is essential for staying within HSE regulations, while also significantly benefitting efficiency. A safe workplace is a smooth workplace. This article offers guidance on how to load and unload trailers safely, touching on everything from essential equipment to proper forklift techniques.
Table of Contents
Having the right loading and unloading equipment
Handling safe working loads requires a range of equipment pieces in the modern business landscape. With the wide range of different trailer sizes out there, standard forklifts aren’t enough for high-volume loading bays.
Some essential pieces of equipment include:
- Dock levellers
- Loading bay doors
- Dock shelters
- Scissor lifts
- Dock pads
- Full dock houses
- Pallet trucks
- Tail lifts
- Stackers
Having these tools and installations in place will make the loading/unloading process a lot safer, as well as also supporting general manual handling throughout the site.
Using forklifts safely
Using your forklift safely is essential, as going in a little too aggressively can easily result in the forklift falling down a gap or becoming damaged. Going in and out slowly, after proper bridging has been set up, is always the best course of action. It’s also important to keep the trailer well lit., with no pedestrians walking inside to minimise potential for collisions.
Secure the trailer to prevent creep
One of the most dangerous parts of handling heavy loads is the potential for trailer creep, which is when a trailer starts to inch away from the dock. This is caused by the momentum of forklifts or staff coming in and out of the vehicle, eventually creating a dangerous gap.
- Chock the wheels to keep the trailer for moving away
- Restrain the trailer or truck with a hook or lock system, ensuring its engaged with the trailer’s Rear Underrun Protection (RUP)
- Lockboxes can be placed n the trailer’s air line connector (AKA the glad hand), preventing the driver from driving away prematurely
Keeping the trailer firmly in place is essential for loading and unloading trucks safely.
Securing the load in the trailer
Securing the trailer will often come as a precursor to securing the load. While many loads will just be organised around the load, the final row of pallets needs to be held in place with load bars or ratchet straps. It needs to be wrapped in stretch film and secured to the point of safety even in emergency stops.
Don’t let the trailer ‘nose dive’
Trailers disconnected from the tractor or truck head are supported only by landing gear. Overloading the front of the trailer can cause this gear to collapse and tip the trailer forward.
- Trailer jacks stabilise with a third point of support, preventing tip-overs
- Check trailers for rot, holes or weaker spots, as shoddy trailers are more likely to give way under the weight of forklifts
These tips should help to secure the trailer from nose diving.
Use weight distribution in your loading pattern
Imbalanced vehicles can travel dangerously on the motorway, which is why the weight distribution is important when it comes to loading the trailer.
- Keep the heaviest items over the axles (rear wheels), spread evenly across the floor, for a stable centre of gravity
- Ensure weight is distributed evenly across the width of the trailer, as lopsided trailers can easily flip during a sharp turn
- Minimise gaps in the trailer, using dunnage to prevent the load from shifting laterally throughout the space
Loading isn’t just about manually handling the goods; it’s also about setting the trailer up for success once it gets on the road.
Following these guidelines will help to support safe loading and unloading, ensuring your operation maintains efficiency, while also keeping damage and injuries at bay.
