Loading Docks SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers loading dock preparation, vehicle movements, dock leveller operation, and product loading and unloading. It supports planning work steps and managing risks from people, vehicles, loads, spills and dock equipment.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Brief workers and coordinate planned dock work
• Prepare the dock area, access controls and visibility
• Marshal vehicles into loading bays
• Secure vehicles and manage driver access
• Inspect and operate dock levellers
• Check trailers, loads and transfer surfaces
• Unload product and manage manual handling
• Load outbound product and secure freight
• Manage forklift and pedestrian movements
• Respond to faults, spills and equipment issues
• Close the dock and release vehicles safely

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out loading dock activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations.
• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities.
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks in Stevedoring, as guidance for traffic separation, truck loading and driver safe areas.
• Model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace, where cleaning and sanitising chemicals are used.
• AS 2359 series, Industrial trucks, including powered industrial trucks and safe use guidance.
• AS 4024 series, Safety of machinery.
• AS/NZS 4602.1, High visibility safety garments.
• AS/NZS 2210.3, Safety footwear.
• AS/NZS 1270, Hearing protectors.
• AS/NZS 1337.1, Personal eye-protection.
• AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716, Respiratory protective equipment, where respiratory protection is identified by the SDS or risk assessment.
• Manufacturer operating, inspection and maintenance instructions for each dock leveller, vehicle restraint, forklift, pallet jack and meat-handling system.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections