Based on experience, we know that major dock accident potentials include:

• Premature trailer departure – the truck driver thinks it's time to pull out, but they are still loading inside
• Trailer landing gear collapse – spotted trailers without supplemental landing gear can suddenly experience collapse – or have landing gear support sink into the asphalt
• Trailer creep – due to constant forklift impact on trailers at the dock.  Can result in gap between leveler and truck – forklift can fall off dock.
• Ergonomic issues as boxes are handled, dock equipment is operated, doors are raised or lowered
• Whole body vibration – as forklift operators who back and forth over transitions between dock and trucks
• Slips and falls due to weather intrusion
• The open dock – even with an overhead door, an open dock (one without a trailer spotted) is a 4' drop-off.  Overhead doors won't stop forklifts.
• Poor or no inside/outside communication as trailers are backed up to dock seals or shelters – truck drivers outside can't communicate with operators inside.  Trailers pull out while still being loaded.
• Pedestrians hit by tractors, trailers, or forklifts
• Broken dock equipment that is "jury rigged"
• Improperly specified dock equipment – often due to job, forklift, load or trailer changes since installation. 
• Poorly maintained or non operational dock equipment
• Fire due to new high voltage high heat CED back-up lights pressed against dock shelters and seals
• Odd sized trucks at the dock – examples: pickup trucks and UPS/FedEx trucks

Well, the list goes on.  Several of the most prominent of these dangers are highlighted in articles in this Safety Points Newsletter.