Loading Docks: Safe Work Practices is a 25-minute online course that trains employees on the hazards and safe operating procedures specific to loading dock environments as addressed by OSHA's material handling standard (29 CFR 1910.176). It is designed for warehouse workers, dock personnel, and forklift operators and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.
OSHA reports that 25% of all warehouse injuries occur on loading docks. These high-traffic areas combine moving forklifts, elevated platforms, trailer gaps, and heavy freight into an environment where a single misstep can result in serious injury or death. Falls from dock edges, forklift runovers, and crushing incidents between trailers and dock walls remain persistent hazards. Under 29 CFR 1910.28, any unprotected edge four feet or higher requires fall protection - and every open dock door without a guardrail or barrier is a potential OSHA citation carrying penalties up to $16,550 per serious violation.
This course trains your team on loading dock hazards and the controls that prevent them. Your employees will learn proper dock plate and leveler use, vehicle restraint procedures, pedestrian traffic management, and fall protection requirements for open dock doors. The training also covers forklift operation near dock edges, trailer securement before loading and unloading, and housekeeping practices that reduce slip, trip, and fall risks in dock areas.
Loading dock safety is regulated under multiple OSHA standards including 29 CFR 1910.176 (Handling Materials - General), 29 CFR 1910.26 (Dockboards), and 29 CFR 1910.28 (Duty to Have Fall Protection). The 2017 update to the walking-working surfaces standard requires employers to provide fall protection for any unprotected edge four feet or higher, which applies directly to open dock doors. Violations of fall protection standards consistently rank as OSHA's most-cited category, with 5,914 violations under 1926.501 and related general industry citations in FY 2025. Powered industrial truck violations under 29 CFR 1910.178 - another frequent dock-area citation - ranked 8th on OSHA's FY 2025 Top 10 with 1,826 violations. Serious violations carry penalties up to $16,550 each, while willful or repeated violations can reach $165,514. Employers must ensure loading dock areas are regularly inspected and that all personnel receive training on dock-specific hazards and safe work procedures.
| Team Size | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 - 9 | $24.95 |
| 10 - 24 | $19.95 |
| 25 - 49 | $17.95 |
| 50 - 99 | $17.50 |
This course is available in English, Spanish, and Multi-Language CC at no additional charge.
Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.