--- title: Loading Dock Safety for Truck Drivers description: Did you know that 25% of industrial accidents happen at the loading dock? Learn more about OSHA loading dock safety recommendations in our latest news article. image: https://news.tel360.com/hubfs/PeteLoadingDock_CloseUp_DoorsOpen.jpg --- [![TEL_Logo_Blue_Button_RGB](https://news.tel360.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TEL_Logo_Blue_Button_RGB.png?width=190&height=87&name=TEL_Logo_Blue_Button_RGB.png "TEL_Logo_Blue_Button_RGB")](https://www.tel360.com/) [CONNECT NOW](https://tel360.com/connect-now/) - About Us ![](https://news.tel360.com/hubfs/carrot-dropdwn.svg) - [About TEL](https://tel360.com/about-tel/) - [The TEL360 Advantage](https://tel360.com/the-tel360-advantage/) - [Testimonials](https://tel360.com/about-tel/reviews/) - [FAQs](https://tel360.com/about-tel/commercial-truck-trailer-faqs/) - [Contact Us](https://tel360.com/contact-tel/) - Commercial Truck Leasing ![](https://news.tel360.com/hubfs/carrot-dropdwn.svg) - Fleet Leasing ![](https://news.tel360.com/hubfs/carrot-dropdwn.svg) - [For Hire Fleets](https://tel360.com/commercial-truck-fleet-leasing/for-hire-fleets/) - [Fleet Support Program](https://tel360.com/commercial-truck-fleet-leasing/fleet-support/) - [Fleet Owner’s Guide](https://tel360.com/fleet-owners-guide-to-profitability/) - Owner Operators ![](https://news.tel360.com/hubfs/carrot-dropdwn.svg) - [Independent Owner Operator Program](https://tel360.com/independent-owner-operator-program/) - [Lease Purchase](https://tel360.com/commercial-truck-lease-purchase/) - Trailer Leasing ![](https://news.tel360.com/hubfs/carrot-dropdwn.svg) - [Trailer Leasing for Private Fleets](https://tel360.com/commercial-truck-fleet-leasing/private-fleets/) - [TEL’s Guide to Trailer Leasing](https://tel360.com/tel-guide-to-trailer-leasing/) - Equipment Sales ![](https://news.tel360.com/hubfs/carrot-dropdwn.svg) - [Overview](https://tel360.com/commercial-truck-equipment-sales/) - [Used Truck Inventory](https://tel360.com/commercial-truck-equipment-sales/used-truck-inventory/) - Maintenance ![](https://news.tel360.com/hubfs/carrot-dropdwn.svg) - [Overview](https://tel360.com/commercial-truck-maintenance/) - [Freightliner Truck Maintenance](https://tel360.com/commercial-truck-maintenance/freightliner/) - [Peterbilt Truck Maintenance](https://tel360.com/commercial-truck-maintenance/peterbilt/) - [Volvo Truck Maintenance](https://tel360.com/commercial-truck-maintenance/volvo/) - [Kenworth Truck Maintenance](https://tel360.com/commercial-truck-maintenance/kenworth/) - Careers ![](https://news.tel360.com/hubfs/carrot-dropdwn.svg) - [Overview](https://tel360.com/tel-careers/) - [Open Positions](https://tel360.com/careers/openpositions/) - [News](https://news.tel360.com) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # Loading Dock Safety for Truck Drivers [Home](https://tel360.com) > [News](https://news.tel360.com) > Loading Dock Safety for Truck Drivers As a truck operator, loading docks can be part of everyday life.  Picking up and dropping off a load is usually more about how quickly can you get loaded or unloaded, have the load secured, and back on the road making that money. While speed and efficiency are important, safety should always be the top priority. ![uniformed-warehouse-workers-loading-boxed-products--1](https://news.tel360.com/hs-fs/hubfs/uniformed-warehouse-workers-loading-boxed-products--1.jpg?width=958&height=637&name=uniformed-warehouse-workers-loading-boxed-products--1.jpg) Did you know that [25% of industrial accidents](https://www.ishn.com/articles/107356-slow-down-watch-out-know-the-facts-about-loading-dock-hazards) happen at the loading dock? There are a lot of safety hazards to keep in mind when it comes to loading docks and a lot of considerations to keep in mind so you can keep yourself and others safe. Here is a list of safety tips to keep in mind when operating around loading docks: **✅** Before backing all the way up, ensure your trailer doors are opened and locked back against the sides of the trailer. ![TELLoadingDockSafety](https://news.tel360.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TELLoadingDockSafety.jpeg?width=3426&height=2040&name=TELLoadingDockSafety.jpeg) **✅** If using a dock leveler, first ensure the leveler is in the upright elevated position and ready to receive the trailer edge before backing up. **✅** Make sure you are properly aligned with the loading dock bumpers before backing all the way up. ![two-shipping-gates-for-trucks-industrial-collecti--1](https://news.tel360.com/hs-fs/hubfs/two-shipping-gates-for-trucks-industrial-collecti--1.jpg?width=1920&height=1280&name=two-shipping-gates-for-trucks-industrial-collecti--1.jpg) **✅** Be watchful of pedestrian and forklift traffic, and never get between the loading dock and a truck when the truck is in gear. ![employees-loading-cardboard-boxes-of-products--1](https://news.tel360.com/hs-fs/hubfs/employees-loading-cardboard-boxes-of-products--1.jpg?width=1920&height=1272&name=employees-loading-cardboard-boxes-of-products--1.jpg) **✅** If using a dock leveler, ensure the Dock leveler is down and secure before attempting to load/unload. ![forklift-truck-in-warehouse-drive-in-and-out-steel--1-1](https://news.tel360.com/hs-fs/hubfs/forklift-truck-in-warehouse-drive-in-and-out-steel--1-1.jpg?width=1920&height=1280&name=forklift-truck-in-warehouse-drive-in-and-out-steel--1-1.jpg) **✅** Ensure your truck engine is turned off, brakes are set, and always chock your wheels when loading and unloading at a dock. **✅** According to [OSHA](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.29), fall protection devices like guardrails and safety gates, are required for open loading docks 48 inches or higher.  So be patient with dock and warehouse workers. ![semi-truck-delivery-1](https://news.tel360.com/hs-fs/hubfs/semi-truck-delivery-1.jpg?width=1920&height=1177&name=semi-truck-delivery-1.jpg) **✅**If the loading dock is equipped with a dock lock, know how to use them and ensure it is unlocked before attempting to pull away. ![semi-truck-and-warehouse-1](https://news.tel360.com/hs-fs/hubfs/semi-truck-and-warehouse-1.jpg?width=1920&height=1283&name=semi-truck-and-warehouse-1.jpg) **✅** After pulling away from the dock, stop and ensure your trailer doors are closed and locked before leaving the driveway. Whether you're a fleet owner or a driver, you can never be too safe.  At TEL, we prioritize safety and making your fleet leasing, lease purchase, equipment sales, truck maintenance, or fleet support experience the best it can be.    Want more information and tips for drivers and fleet owners?  Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and check out all of our articles on our main [news page](https://news.tel360.com/?_gl=1*1feo4ef*_gcl_au*MTM2NDAyMjI1Ni4xNjg3NDM3NDI0*_ga*NDQ1MjcwNjk2LjE2ODc0Mzc0MTQ.*_ga_RHCB9FW8G1*MTY5MjM4MDgxNC4yNy4wLjE2OTIzODA4NTkuMC4wLjA.&_ga=2.258942857.28405969.1692301477-445270696.1687437414)for more helpful resources. ### Subscribe to Our Newsletter! Written on: August 24, 2023 | Topics: [Chattanooga, TN](https://news.tel360.com/tag/chattanooga-tn) , [Transport Enterprise Leasing](https://news.tel360.com/tag/transport-enterprise-leasing) , [Safety Tips](https://news.tel360.com/tag/safety-tips) Share this post: [![Share on Facebook](https://news.tel360.com/hs-fs/hubfs/5296499_fb_facebook_facebook%20logo_icon.png?width=24&name=5296499_fb_facebook_facebook%20logo_icon.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.tel360.com%2Floading-dock-safety-for-truck-drivers%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://news.tel360.com/hs-fs/hubfs/5296501_linkedin_network_linkedin%20logo_icon.png?width=24&name=5296501_linkedin_network_linkedin%20logo_icon.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.tel360.com%2Floading-dock-safety-for-truck-drivers%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://news.tel360.com/hs-fs/hubfs/11244080_x_twitter_elon%20musk_twitter%20new%20logo_icon.png?width=24&name=11244080_x_twitter_elon%20musk_twitter%20new%20logo_icon.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.tel360.com%2Floading-dock-safety-for-truck-drivers%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.tel360.com%2Floading-dock-safety-for-truck-drivers%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Loading%20Dock%20Safety%20for%20Truck%20Drivers) [![RSS Feed](https://news.tel360.com/hubfs/rss-logo-vector.svg)](https://news.tel360.com/rss.xml) [‹ PREVIOUS](https://news.tel360.com/tel-supports-chattanooga-young-life) ##### [TEL Supports Chattanooga Young Life with Recent Gift](https://news.tel360.com/tel-supports-chattanooga-young-life) [NEXT ›](https://news.tel360.com/air-conditioning-system-performance-for-semi-trucks) ##### [Air Conditioning System Performance for Semi Trucks](https://news.tel360.com/air-conditioning-system-performance-for-semi-trucks) ![TEL_Logo_Blue_Button_RGB-1](https://news.tel360.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TEL_Logo_Blue_Button_RGB-1.png?width=203&height=92&name=TEL_Logo_Blue_Button_RGB-1.png "TEL_Logo_Blue_Button_RGB-1") [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/tel360) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/tel_360/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://youtube.com/@TEL360) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TEL360) 400 Birmingham Highway Chattanooga, TN 37419 423.214.3910 ##### Quick Links   - [Fleet Leasing](https://tel360.com/commercial-truck-fleet-leasing/for-hire-fleets) - [Lease Purchase](https://tel360.com/commercial-truck-lease-purchase) - [Equipment Sales](https://tel360.com/commercial-truck-equipment-sales) - [Truck Maintenance](https://tel360.com/commercial-truck-maintenance) - [Fleet Support Program](https://tel360.com/commercial-truck-fleet-leasing/fleet-support) ##### Resources   - [FAQs](https://tel360.com/about-tel/faqs) - [News](https://news.tel360.com) - [Careers](https://tel360.com/tel-careers) - [Contact Us](https://tel360.com/contact-tel) © Copyright 2024 - TEL  |  [Privacy Policy](https://tel360.com/privacy-policy/)  |  [Disclaimer](https://tel360.com/disclaimer/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Transport Enterprise Leasing", "url" : "https://news.tel360.com/author/transport-enterprise-leasing" }, "dateModified" : "2023-08-24T12:29:04.962Z", "datePublished" : "2023-08-24T11:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Loading Dock Safety for Truck Drivers", "image" : [ "https://news.tel360.com/hubfs/PeteLoadingDock_CloseUp_DoorsOpen.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://news.tel360.com/loading-dock-safety-for-truck-drivers", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://news.tel360.com/hubfs/navyTEL.png" }, "name" : "Transport Enterprise Leasing" } } ```