Loading and Unloading of Containers Risk Assessment

Product Overview

This risk assessment covers loading and unloading containers, from arrival and site set-up through lifting, securing, access and emergency response. It supports planning and risk management by addressing people, vehicles, plant, loads, hazardous atmospheres and changing weather conditions.

Activities & Risks Covered

This assessment addresses activities and risks including:

• Plan arrivals and site set-up to identify operating conditions, congestion and unauthorised access.
• Position trucks and establish driver safe areas while managing movement, pinch points and restraint handling.
• Set pedestrian exclusion zones and separate people from trucks and mobile plant.
• Complete pre-start checks for plant, lifting gear and attachments before lifting or travelling.
• Manage loading and unloading lifts, including falling, swinging or shifting containers and coordination between people.
• Control access to trailer decks, container tops and elevated areas to manage falls and falling objects.
• Handle twist locks, restraints and securing equipment while managing stored energy, pinch points and container movement.
• Manage manual handling of latches, chains, gates, dunnage and uneven loads around containers and trailers.
• Consider hazardous chemicals, gases, vapours, dust, oxygen-deficient atmospheres and spills.
• Manage wind, heat, sun, rain, dust and low light, and plan responses to injuries, plant incidents and spills.

Who is this for?

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

Activities & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template records model guidance used to inform the documented controls. Applicable WHS/OHS laws and adopted Codes vary by state or territory, so confirm the current local requirements when tailoring the assessment:

• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities — 2. The work environment; p. 13.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks — 4.1 The hierarchy of control measures; p. 31.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace — Plant hazard identification — Traffic movements in the workplace; p. 17.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace — 2.2 Safety Data Sheets (SDS); p. 16.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces — 3.2 Identifying the hazards; p. 16.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace — 3. First aid equipment, facilities and training; p. 12.

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Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)

• Activity-specific hazard identification and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each activity
• Risk matrix and assessment classification
• Review, monitoring and sign-off fields
• Site-specific customisation before use