Loading Dock Requirements in Houston, Texas

The process of storing of commodities requires a system that will facilitate the easy access and fastest approach to store and distribute these goods and even the heavy equipment subject for loading and storage. 

 

This system is basically called the loading dock system. It is a set of interconnecting mechanisms, which chiefly facilitates the easy and faster stockpiling and dispersal of the goods. The loading docks together with the loading dock levelers are usually installed in the warehouses, manufacturing and distribution plants. 

 

The loading docks are deemed part of the facility’s infrastructure engineered to provide an easy access to the storage areas. With the massive influx of deliveries and transfer of commodities, these facilities opted to install the loading dock system within their specific industries. 

 

Since loading dock caters the massive influx of deliveries, distribution of products and equipment, it is deemed a highly dangerous area within the warehouse, manufacturing and distribution facilities. Relative to this, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the United States Department of Labor crafted a pertinent requirement to regulate and ensure the safety measures in the docks in Houston, Texas. 

 

This requirement is geared towards the maintenance of a safe zone within the loading dock as an important step to prevent injuries and fatalities. 

 

Accordingly, per the provision of OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.23(b) that relates to the protection for wall openings and holes, that states “every wall opening from which there is a drop of more than 4 feet shall be guarded by an actual fall protection barrier”. This provision has been implemented to prevent any related fall injuries that include the inadvertent drop of goods and even the accidental fall of forklift during its backing off maneuver at the open dock. This occasion may result in severe injuries to the workers and even death. 

 

To address the issue, OSHA directed that the aforementioned standard that conveys the installation of the guardrails and dock impact barriers, especially if the dock doors are often left open for ventilation, be complied. 

 

Moreover, to increase the degree of protection and safety measures, the OSHA recommended that visual barrier should likewise be installed to make sure that untoward eventualities such as accidents will be prevented. 

 

However, the issuance of the OSHA interpretation (55 FR 13407; April 10, 1990) that declares, “Employers would not be required to install guardrail systems on the working side of platforms, such as loading docks, where the employer can demonstrate that the presence of guardrails would prevent the performance of work”, averted the complete observance of safety regulations as it provided a margin for the occurrence of mishaps.

Meaning, such interpretation somehow recounts to the issue of suppression against the expected protection just to promote and maximize business productivity and work efficiency. In essence, such interpretation will not guarantee complete work safety anymore of the workforce. 

 

To this end, it would be wise to install the guardrails as a standard operating procedure (SOP) every time the dock’s height equals to 4 feet and higher to ensure the proper compliance of the requirement. 

 

To further the safety measures, OSHA further recommended that visual barriers should also be integrated per the international safety policy. To this effect, dock impact barriers are advised to be painted with a bright yellow color to convey a warning signal. Nonetheless, OSHA perceived that the overestimate installation of precautionary measures would similarly result to hamper the efficiency of work and serviceable productivity.

 

Concluding, the installation of removable dock impact barriers has been highly recommended to promote a lenient and flexible approach to encourage and sponsor work proficiency. 

 

Southern Dock Products, Houston, Texas has not only comprehended this requirement but it already mastered the intention and spirit of the requirement by heart and mind. It is a division of DuraServ Corp. that offers the right dock products and staff to keep your dock safe and efficient. 

 

For more information, you may visit our official website at www.southerndockproducts.com

 

For your queries about Houston, Texas Loading Dock Products, Truck Restraints in Houston, Texas and Safety Equipment in Houston, Texas, you may contact Southern Dock Products at the Toll-free number 1-800-994-2361 or at Houston, TX: (713) 868-5443. 

 

To submit a service request, you may use this link, www.southerndockproducts.com/service-request

 

Our courteous and attentive personnel are eager to hear from you soon.