Loading Dock Equipment - Below Dock Loading

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Risks of Loading Below Dock Level

Hazards of Loading Below Dock Level
Loading freight below dock level is a risky practice that reduces the economy of your loading dock and puts your equipment and personnel at risk. The typical dock height height of 48"-51" is common place and works great for LTL trailers with bed heights of +48"; however, this standard presents several problems for facilities reeving lower bed heights.

No Support from Load Backrest
In an ideal loading environment, at or above dock level, the load back rest supports the pallet when entering and exiting the trailer; conversely, loading down into a trailer takes away this support when entering and exiting. This affects your operation in two ways, operators must enter the trailer slowly to avoid upsetting the load while they need higher speeds to climb back out of the trailer.

Increases risk of dropping loads
Slower speeds required when entering trailer
Climbing ramps tips load away from load backrest

Gap Between Dock Seal and Trailer
Trucks coming in with low floor heights often have the additional disadvantage of low top clearance. This results in a gap between the top of the truck and dock seal header allowing rain, dust, & outside temperatures to affect the loading process.

Low Clearance heights

Tip Hazard

Ideal Loading operation

Parking out When Trucks are Overloaded
When trucks come in below dock height the dock board must be turned around to load. This means the length of board that normally would be extending into the dock is now extending into the trailer. When trailers are loaded clear to the back of the truck it becomes necessary to park the trailer further from the dock to allow room for the boards run. Unfortunately, When gaps are greater than 11", a standard dock board using 2 pins or legs becomes unsafe to use as there isn't sufficient lip length beyond the securement device. A 4 pin board is typically used for parkout situations, however the risks of loading down into the trailer are still present despite using the proper board for parkouts. It is recommended dock boards are used for level or above dock level loading.

Gaps greater than 11" require 4 pin boards
Dock boards length extends into trucks instead of dock
Parkout may be necessary

Rain, Snow, & Oil
The risks are not always readily apparent, but rain and oil combined with wood floors make for a slick operating environment. In these conditions operators need sufficient speed to climb out of the truck, risking dumping a pallet or worse trapping your equipment in the trailer.

Loss of A/C
Wet Slippery Conditions
Unsafe operating speeds
Trapped Equipment

Wheel Riser Worksheet