26.0 MIA Safety Services - June 2013
Executive Summary
Warehouse accidents result in personal injuries, damaged equipment and destroyed inventory. Multiple losses can occur. The most common warehouse accidents involve forklifts and manual material handling.
Accidents are caused each year when a truck or trailer rolls away from the
dock because no one took time to chock the wheels. In some cases, drivers
were crushed by their own rig after getting out of the cab. In other cases, lift
truck drivers were injured when the forklift fell between dock edge and a
trailer that moved away.
The purpose of this Toolbox Talk is to help prevent injury when loading or
unloading stone from containers or trailers. Two toolbox talks are enclosed.
The first one reviews an accident from OSHA’s files. The second talk presents
an overview and descriptions of cargo dock hazards. Also provided are a relevant safety checklist, standard employee meeting sign-in sheet, and a safety
related “Product of the Month” feature.
Enclosed in this issue of MIA Safety Talks are the following resources:
26.1
ACCIDENT TOOLBOX TALK
Agenda with Overview
Brief Description of Accident
Inspection Results
Prevention Recommendations
Recap & Review
26.2
SAFETY TOOL BOX TALK
Agenda
Overview
Description of Cargo Dock Hazards
Discussion Questions
Recap & Review
26.3
SAFETY CHECKLIST
26.4
SIGN-IN SHEET
26.5
SAFETY PRODUCT OF THE MONTH
This Safety Service Talk contains general guidelines. The Marble Institute of America and its member companies have neither liability nor can they be responsible to any person or entity for any misunderstanding, misuses, or misapplication that would cause loss or damage of any kind, including loss of rights, material, or personal injury, or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this document.
© 2013 Marble Institute of America
26.1 MIA Safety Services - OSHA Accident Summary
Refer to sign-in sheet for attendees (note: a separate meeting should be held with all absent employees).
Agenda
Accident Type:
Type of Operation:
Crushing, caught
between
Brick, Stone and Related
Construction Material
Wholesalers
Size of Work Crew:
3
Safety Monitor on Site:
No
Safety & Health Program:
No
Regular Worksite
Inspections:
No
Training Provided:
No
On the Job Experience:
7 yrs.
Brief Description of Accident
At approximately 11:00 am, Employee #1 was operating a forklift while loading a truck
at the loading dock. As he was backing the forklift from the end of the truck, the truck
rolled forward and the forklift fell off the back of the truck into the space between
the truck bed and the loading dock. Employee #1 was pinned between the forklift and
the loading dock. He sustained crushing injuries and was killed instantly. The truck
had not been chocked to prevent any possible movement away from the dock.
Inspection Results
Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did
not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized
hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to crushing injuries in the event of a forklift tipover accident because of lack of restraint devices and chocking procedures while loading or unloading trucks and trailers.
Accident Prevention Recommendations
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct the
hazard would be to chock, restrain or block, the tires of the vehicle, thereby limiting
the vehicles movement. Another means of abating this hazard would be to install
seatbelts and require the use of such on all forklifts which contain an overhead guard.
Recap & Review



Has anyone seen or experienced a similar accident? What happened?
Could this accident have been prevented? How?
Indentify the main hazard in this accident.
Reminder: Safety is the responsibility of both management and employees!
The next safety meeting is scheduled for ____________ and the topic will
be_______________.
NOTE: This case was selected as being representative of injuries caused by improper work practices. No special emphasis or priority is implied nor is the case necessarily a recent occurrence.
The legal aspects of the incident have been resolved, and the case is now closed.
© 2013 Marble Institute of America
26.2 MIA Safety Services - Cargo Dock Safety
Refer to sign-in sheet for attendees (note: a separate meeting should be held with all absent employees).
Agenda
Overview
Warehouse accidents result in personal injuries, damaged equipment, and destroyed inventory. Multiple losses can occur. The most common warehouse accidents involve forklifts and manual material handling.
Description of Cargo Dock Hazards
Forklifts ‒ The forklift is a very important mechanical device in the stone industry.
It can also be one of the most dangerous if not properly used. Statistics show that
forklifts are involved in only about 1% of lost time accidents, yet they account for
about 10% of the serious injuries. The following incidents demonstrate the hazardous potential of this machine:

A forklift strikes a pedestrian.

A load falls on a pedestrian or the driver.

A forklift falls between a trailer and dock or off a truck.

A forklift turns over.
The key to forklift safety rests with the operator. The abilities to anticipate hazards and concentrate on the task at hand are as important as operating expertise.
Don’t be complacent!
Prevent traffic incidents while operating the forklift by using the same safe practices that apply to traffic driving. Observe the rules regarding speed, maneuvering,
loading and unloading. Keep arms and legs inside the guard and wear the seatbelt.
The seatbelt will keep the operator inside the forklift in the event it tips over.
Odds are against jumping clear! Unfortunately too many people have tried… unsuccessfully.
Dock Plates ‒ The dock plate has potential for causing accidents every time cargo
is transferred between a trailer and the dock. Damaged plates should not be used.
Check for cracks. Report missing or broken curbs. Makeshift plates should never be
used, not even for a one-time job. Make sure the plate is properly anchored in
place before loading or unloading.
Trailers and Containers ‒ The trailer can also contribute to an accident. The impact of lift trucks moving in and out can cause the trailer to inch away from the
dock. Trailers should be chocked and frequently checked to insure they have not
shifted. Jacks should be placed to prevent a tipping hazard when the trailer is
parked. Landing gear crank handles must be properly stowed to prevent damage or
personal injury.
- continued next page
© 2013 Marble Institute of America
26.2 MIA Safety Services - Cargo Dock Safety
Refer to sign-in sheet for attendees (note: a separate meeting should be held with all absent employees).
(continued from previous page)
Pedestrians ‒ Visitors and employees in the warehouse must stay clear of moving
loads. Forklift operators must keep the truck and cargo clear of all pedestrians. Palletized (or clamped or slung) cargo can topple or break when it is being picked up.
Be aware of maneuvering space. The rear end of the forklift swings in a circle around
the front wheels that support most of the load. The operator must check that there
is room for the rear end to swing when making turns. Stay clear, and give the equipment plenty of room to operate.
Manual Material Handling ‒ Before attempting to lift, move or shift heavy items in
the cramped confines of a trailer, assess the situation. Is assistance required from a
co-worker? Is mechanical assistance from a forklift necessary? Without assistance,
personal injury or damaged cargo could be the result.
Discussion
What did you learn from reviewing these procedures?
 Does the position of the landing gear crank handle on a dropped semi trailer
matter?

Recap & Review
What are the benefits of applying the ‘rules-of-the-road to driving a forklift
inside the warehouse?
 What is the difference between an employee and non-employee (e.g. visitor)
pedestrian?

Reminder: Safety is the responsibility of management and employees!
The next Safety Meeting is scheduled for ____________________ and the topic will
be ____________________.
Stay Alert. Stay Alive. Don't be trapped into having an accident.
© 2013 Marble Institute of America
26.3 MIA Safety Services - Loading Dock Safety & Health
Checklist
(This checklist is provided in part by the Workplace Safety and Health Division of the Government of Manitoba)
Accidents are caused each year when a truck or trailer rolls away from the
dock because no one took time to chock the wheels. In some cases, drivers
were crushed by their own rig after getting out of the cab. In other cases, lift
truck drivers were injured when the forklift fell between dock edge and a
trailer that moved away. Use this checklist to help identify hazards and prevent injuries in your workplace.
LOADING AREA
Are exposed or open loading dock doors and other areas that employees
could fall 4 feet or more chained, roped or otherwise blocked?
[ ] yes [ ] no
Are dock approaches free from potholes or deteriorated pavement?
[ ] yes [ ] no
Are dock bumpers in good repair?
[ ] yes [ ] no
Are trailer positions marked with lines or lights for accurate trailer spotting?
[ ] yes [ ] no
Are tractor and trailer parking brakes fully engaged?
[ ] yes [ ] no
Is the trailer’s sliding axle assembly locked?
[ ] yes [ ] no
Are trailer wheel chocks used to block trailers and prevent movement during loading and unloading operations?
[ ] yes [ ] no
Are there two trailer wheel chocks for each trailer?
[ ] yes [ ] no
Are trailer wheel chocks chained to the building?
[ ] yes [ ] no
Are warning signs or warning lights in use?
[ ] yes [ ] no
If dock levelers (dock boards, bridge plates, etc.) are used, are they in
proper working order?
Is the leveler or dock plate capacity adequate given typical load weights,
lift truck speeds, ramp inclines, and frequency of use?
Are dock workers trained in the proper use of dock levelers or bridge
plates?
Are dock boards (bridge plates) properly secured when loading or unloading from dock to truck?
[ ] yes [ ] no
[ ] yes [ ] no
[ ] yes [ ] no
[ ] yes [ ] no
Are safety talks held with dock workers on a regular basis?
[ ] yes [ ] no
Are dock workers trained to secure loads for transport?
[ ] yes [ ] no
Is a visitor policy in place? Are they informed about the hazards and given
clearly identifiable vests, hardhats, etc?
[ ] yes [ ] no
HOUSEKEEPING
Is general housekeeping maintained?
[ ] yes [ ] no
Are floors swept daily?
Are floors and aisles clear of clutter, electrical cords, hoses, spills and
other hazards that could cause employees or visitors to slip, trip or fall?
Are refuse containers emptied daily?
[ ] yes [ ] no
Are washrooms and lunch facilities clean?
[ ] yes [ ] no
[ ] yes [ ] no
[ ] yes [ ] no
ADDITIONAL ITEMS NEEDING ATTENTION:
© 2013 Marble Institute of America
26.4 Safety Meeting Sign-In Sheet
TOPIC:
FACILITATOR:
Name (print)
DATE:
(signature)
Department
(Make additional copies as needed)
NOTES:
© 2013 Marble Institute of America
26.5
MIA Safety Product of the Month - June 2013
Safety Posters (Set-of-6)
Powerful natural stone safety
posters designed to raise safety
awareness throughout your facility. The six-poster set covers
dealing with slab handling, use of
hard hats, dust protection, saw
safety, drugs and alcohol in the
workplace, and the "10 Commandments of Safety."
Poster size 22"x 28"
Member Price: $99.00
Non-Member Price: $159.00
NOTES:
© 2013 Marble Institute of America