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4111-0070 — May 2017
June 2017
OWNER’S/USER’S RESPONSIBILITIES
1) The manufacturer shall provide to the initial
purchaser and make the following information
readily available to the owners/users and their
agents, all necessary information regarding Safety
Information, Operation, Installation and Safety
Precautions, Recommended Initial and Periodic
Inspections Procedures, Planned Maintenance
Schedule, Product Specifications, Troubleshooting
Guide, Parts Break Down, Warranty Information, and
Manufacturers Contact Information, as well as tables
to identify the grade(slope) for all variations of length
or configuration of the dock leveling device and
information identifying the maximum uncontrolled
drop encountered when sudden removal of support
while in the working range of the equipment.
2) When selecting loading dock safety equipment, it is
important to consider not only present requirements
but also future plans and any possible adverse
conditions, environmental factors or usage. The
owners/users shall provide application information
to the manufacturer to receive recommendations on
appropriate equipment specifications and capacity.
3) The Owner/User must see all nameplates, placards,
decals, instructions and posted warnings are in
place and legible and shall not be obscured from
the view of the operator or maintenance personnel
for whom such warnings are intended for. Contact
manufacturer for any replacements.
4) Dock leveling devices may become hazardous if the
manufacturer’s instructions regarding modifications
or adjustments are not followed. Modifications
or alterations of dock leveling devices shall only
be made with prior written approval from the
original manufacturer. These changes shall be
in conformance with all applicable provisions of
the MH30.1 standard and shall also satisfy all
safety recommendations of the original equipment
manufacturer of the particular application.
5) The owner/user should recognize the inherent
dangers of the interface between the loading dock
and the transport vehicle. The owner/ user should,
therefore, train and instruct all operators in the safe
operation and use of the loading dock equipment in
accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations
and industry standards. Effective operator training
should also focus on the owner’s/user’s company
policies, operating conditions and the manufacturer’s
specific instructions provided with the dock leveling
device. Maintaining, updating and retraining all
operators on safe working habits and operation of
the equipment, regardless of previous experience,
should be done on a regular basis and should include
an understanding and familiarity with all functions of
the equipment. Owners/users shall actively maintain,
update and retrain all operators on safe working habits
and operations of the equipment.
6) An operator training program should consist of, but not
necessarily be limited to, the following:
a) Select the operator carefully. Consider the physical
qualifications, job attitude and aptitude
b) Assure that the operator reads and fully
understands the complete manufacturer’s owners/
users manual.
c) Emphasize the impact of proper operation upon the
operator, other personnel, material being handled,
and equipment. Cite all rules and why they are
formulated.
d) Describe the basic fundamentals of the dock
leveling device and components design as related
to safety, e.g., mechanical limitation, stability,
functionality, ect.
e) Introduce the equipment. Show the control
locations and demonstrate its functions. Explain
how they work when used properly and maintained
as well as problems when they are used
improperly.
f) Assure that the operator understands the
capacity rating, nameplate data, placards and all
precautionary information appearing on the dock
leveling device.
g) Supervise operator practice of equipment.
h) Develop and administer written and practical
performance tests. Evaluate progress during and at
completion of the course.
i) Administer periodic refresher courses. These may
be condensed versions of the primary course and
include on-the-job operator evaluation.
7) Loading dock safety equipment should never be
used outside of its vertical working range, or outside
the manufacturer’s rated capacity. It shall also be
compatible with the loading equipment and other
conditions related to dock activity. Please consult the
manufacturer if you have any questions as to the use,
vertical working range or capacity of the equipment.
Only properly trained and authorized personnel should
operate the equipment.
8) It is recommended that when the transportation vehicle
is positioned as close as practical to the dock leveling
device and in contact with both bumpers, there shall be
a minimum of 4.00 inches (100mm) overlap between
the front edge of the lip and the edge of the floor or sill
of the transport vehicle at all times during the loading
and unloading process.
