6
4111-0014 — Apr. 2020
© 2020 Systems, LLC
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.
2) 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 restraining
device 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 restraining 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.
3) When selecting a restraining device, 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.
4) 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.
5) Modifications or alterations of restraining devices
shall be made only with prior written approval
from the original manufacturer. These changes
shall be in conformance with all applicable
provisions of the MH30.3 standard and shall
also satisfy all safety recommendations of the
original equipment manufacturer of the particular
application.
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
restraining device and components design as
related to safety, e.g., mechanical limitation,
stability, functionality, etc.
e) Introduce the equipment. Show the control
locations and demonstrate functions. Explain
how they work when used properly and
maintained as well problems when they are
used improperly.
f) Assure that the operator understands
nameplate data, placards and all
precautionary information appearing on the
restraining 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) It is recommended that the transport vehicle
is positioned as close as practical to the dock
leveling device and in contact with both bumpers.
When an industrial vehicle is driven on or off a
transport vehicle during loading and unloading
operations, the transport vehicle parking brakes
shall be applied and wheel chocks or a restraining
device that provides equal or better protection of
wheel chocks shall be engaged. Also, whenever
possible, air-ride suspension systems should
have the air exhausted prior to performing said
loading and unloading operations.
OWNER’S/USER’S RESPONSIBILITIES
