FACTS

1. Loading dock injuries not only cause serious harm to trusted employees, but also cost companies millions of dollars every year in workplace compensation payments, lower productivity levels, and lost employee time.
2. One of the most common types of injuries in loading docks is unexpected falls by individuals and forklift operators. Unfortunately, many warehouses are not climate-controlled and opening the loading dock door is often necessary to improve ventilation. 
3. A common loading dock injury cause is trailer creep. This occurs when trucks separate from the loading dock leading to falls and potentially dangerous accidents with warehouse workers.
4. Carbon monoxide poisoning is another serious health danger for your workforce. This colorless and odorless gas is present in vehicle exhaust fumes and can lead to serious health problems, including death.
5. Warehouse workers often suffer from serious muscle and bone problems that come from repetitive lifting and carrying heavy objects as they load and unload objects.

STATS

• Thousands of workers are seriously hurt each year in loading dock accidents.
• In 2018, there were more than 200,000 reported warehouse employee injuries, many attributed to industrial accidents on or near the loading dock. Injured employees also means more downtime and days unable to work.
• 25 percent of warehouse injuries occur at the loading dock. What is even worse is that for every loading dock injury that does occur, there are at least 600 near-misses that could have resulted in serious worker injuries. 
• Nearly 6,600 people missed work because of injuries and illnesses incurred on loading docks, dock plates and ramps.”