Trailers and rail cars

On September 9, 2004, a truck driver was standing on the bed of his tractor-trailer rig watching a forklift move a milling machine onto his vehicle. As the forklift moved forward, the milling machine tipped over and crushed the driver.

Loading or unloading trailers or rail cars can be hazardous for forklift or trailer operators. Before forklift operators enter trailer or rail cars:

* If the trailer is connected to the tractor, set brakes on the tractor and chock wheels on both trailer and tractor
* If the trailer is not connected to a tractor, support it with jack stands
* Use a dock lock to hold the trailer to the dock
* Check to see that the floor is strong enough to hold the combined weight of you, the forklift and the load
* Make sure you have enough overhead clearance, including the additional height of the bridge plate
* Use safety sidebars on flat-bed trailers as guides to keep your forklift from going over the side