Truck restraints are a very convenient way to satisfy the OSHA requirement that something prevents trailer creep. Trailer creep is when the repeated trips over the dock leveler into the trailer with a lift truck (or similar piece of industrial equipment) slowly nudges the trailer further and further from the dock until a gap appears and, worst-case scenario, the truck drops through the gap and the operator faces serious injury.
The least one can do to satisfy that requirement is to purchase and employ a wheel chock. A wheel chock is a triangle-shaped “block” that the dock operator has to manually place in front of the back set of wheels of the trailer. They can work well but are very inconvenient for the operator and the truck driver.
A truck restraint automates this process for operators and is a more reliable and safer option. There are different kinds of truck restraints available. There are ones where the truck backs up, the ICC bar depresses the restraint and, when in the proper position, pops up and locks the truck in place. Others involve a hooking “wand” that engages when the dock operator presses a button on the docks control panel, which is generally located inside the building. You can wire this feature into existing dock leveler control panels as long as they are interlocked capable.
To increase the reliability of your dock safety and the comfort of your operators, consider truck restraints!
Shop truck restraints now or contact us to discuss your options.
