Loading Dock Railing

There’s a lot that goes on at your loading dock. Loading, unloading… well I guess that’s mostly it. 

However, loading docks present a fall hazard that, while obvious, is often overlooked due to the lack of understanding on how to best protect it while not inhibiting your workflow. 

In this article, we’ll go over OSHA’s regulations around loading docks and the best solutions to protect you and your people. 

OSHA Regulations for Loading Docks

Let’s get the basics out of the way here. In general industry, if anyone is exposed to a height that is 4 or more feet above a lower level, there needs to be fall protection in place OSHA Code 1910.28(b)(1(i)

So, how do you protect against this fall hazard? Well, plain and simple the best way to protect your loading dock is going to be a guardrail. 

While OSHA does list out other means of fall protection like safety nets and personal protective equipment (harnesses and lanyards). These are highly ineffective. 

A safety net system will block your truck’s ability to pull up to the loading dock, and for personal fall protection equipment, there isn’t enough fall clearance and it’d be inefficient to have a bunch and ropes and tie off points around the loading dock. 

OSHA Loading Dock Railing Requirements

Now that we’ve established guardrail as the optimal fall protection for loading docks, let’s discuss what you need in guardrail for a loading dock. 

OSHA’s standards for guardrail are as follows: 

• Top rails must be 42 inches above the walking/working surface (plus or minus 3 inches), must not deflect more than 2 inches, and withstand 200 lbs of force in the outward and downward direction. 

• Mid rails need to be in place mid-way so that is no gap greater than 19 inches between the top rail, mid rail, and walking/working surface, and withstand 150 lbs of force in the outward and downward direction 

• The guardrail must not have any projection hazards. Meaning they end in a wall, a post, or wrap back around on themselves (D-return).  

While these are just the basics, it is important to know when looking to buy and install guardrail. If you are looking for more information, check out our video below on OSHA’s guardrail requirements. 

OSHA Compliant Loading Dock Railing

Where can you find loading dock railing that will meet all these requirements? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Simplified Safety, we offer guardrail kits that you can buy TODAY to get started on making your loading dock OSHA compliant and protect your workers ASAP. 

Each kit comes with the pipe, fittings, and necessary hardware to install your OSHA compliant guardrail. And no, there’s no catch. You can install it yourself! It’s a simple system of set screws that easily connect all the pieces of the guardrail together. You’ll just need the necessary tools to mount it properly to the surface of your loading dock. 

Loading Dock Safety Precautions 

Here is where we run into a bit of a conundrum. What do you put at the opening to your loading dock where trucks will be loading and unloading from? You can’t have a guardrail there because that will prevent the workers and truck from being able to easily load and unload the cargo. 

For many ages we have used chains to provide a barrier at the loading dock. While this simple for unlocking and locking back in when trucks are there, it is more than likely not OSHA compliant and here’s why.  

If you remember from above, a top rail must NOT deflect more than 2 inches. Now I know most chains are probably drooping more than 2 inches already so we can get that out of the way.  

But what if the chain is taut? Well, yes then it meets the criteria of the right height and deflection, but can it withstand 200 lbs of force in the outward and downward direction? Some chains I’m sure can, they make chains durable enough to pull cars, but can the small little hooks they’re attached to be able to support the 200 pounds? Therein lies the problem. 

How to be Safe Loading and Unloading at Docks

So, what do we do? We’ll there are a couple different solutions for this.  

Safety gates protect workers when not in use and are easily opened when needed to allow products to be loaded and unloaded safely and effectively. 

Another option is a removable loading dock railing. This type of guardrail can be designed with a locking mechanism, like a set screw, so that is stable when in place, but can easily be removed when needed. 

In Review

Loading dock fall protection can be both straightforward and tricky, but don’t worry, we’re here to help you. Our fall protection experts are available to help design a guardrail and/or safety gate system that’s perfect for your loading dock. 

If you know what you want, then you can purchase your new guardrail and safety gates today!