CASE STUDY – VISIBILITY HAZARDS
– SHIPPING/RECEIVING YARD
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3. Conclusion
The company discovered that:
They did not have a formal Traffic (Pedestrian) Management Program.
There was no posted speed limit in the yard.
The painted lines located directly in front of the truck cabs where designed to prohibit
pedestrians from being in the loading area, however, instead they actually resembled a
walkway and were used as such. This was especially concerning since pedestrians located
directly in front of a truck cab are totally obstructed from the driver's field of view and
cannot be seen.
They did not have any formal training on pedestrian hazards.
It was rare to have supervisors present in the yard due to their workload.
Pedestrians did not have proper PPE such as high visibility vests.
Shipping office was far away from the last loading dock which led to pedestrians taking
shorts cuts through the yard.
4. Recommendations
The following recommendations were implemented:
Developed a Traffic (Pedestrian) Management Program and communicated roles and
responsibilities to all employees.
They painted a well-marked and dedicated pedestrian walkway. To determine the location
of the walkway, they used the shortest person in the warehouse (5ft) and had them stand
in front of the truck where the driver could not see them. They then walked away from the
truck until the driver could see their high visibility vest. Considering other yard traffic they
then placed the walkway in a suitable location.
Expanded and repainted the area in front of the trucks red with symbols to prevent
pedestrians from walking in front of the trucks.
Added in a north shipping office to prevent pedestrians from walking across the yard to get
to the south entrance.
Implemented a policy on yard speed and posted appropriate signage.
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