About Wheel Chock Training

The use of wheel chocks is required by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration to avoid the separation of a truck or trailer from a loading dock during loading and unloading. Wheel chock use is covered under OSHA directive STD 01-11-07.

Awareness

• The use of wheel chocks should be administered as training in hazard awareness in environments such as loading docks. The use of wheel chocks and other safety devices is completed during safety training for forklift truck operators.

Trailer

• Wheel chocks and similar mechanical devices are required to be used to avoid the separation of a truck or trailer from a loading dock during loading and unloading. As a forklift truck enters and leaves a trailer, the movement can cause the trailer to creep forward and create a gap between the trailer and dock.

Chocks

• Wheel chocks are wedge-shaped blocks designed to be placed in front of the rear wheels of a vehicle to prevent it from moving. Training is required in the use of chocks because, in loading docks, the areas in which they are used are often hidden from view.