Hidden Dangers in Transportation and Unloading Hazard Alert

Transportation is the backbone of many industries—moving materials, goods, and equipment from place to place. But the job doesn’t end when the truck stops. Unloading can be just as dangerous as the journey itself.

Too often, these risks are underestimated. Serious injuries and even fatalities have occurred when hazards go unnoticed, or controls aren’t in place. Some real-world examples include:

• An employee was crushed by shifting materials while opening a trailer door
• An employee died while manually moving an oversized tire
• A load being lifted by a crane shifted, causing a worker to fall from a flatbed
• An elevating work platform fell off a trailer during unloading
• A boom touched overhead power lines while offloading

These incidents all had something in common: hidden or overlooked hazards during the unloading process.

What Makes Transportation and Unloading Risky?

• Shifting Loads: Items can move during transit, becoming unstable and dangerous to handle.
• Damaged Packaging: Crushed or compromised pallets and materials can fall or collapse unexpectedly.
• Awkward or Heavy Items: Irregular shapes or extreme weight can make safe handling difficult.
• Hoisting Hazards: Loads that get snagged or caught may swing or drop without warning.
• Overhead Power Lines: Contact with electrical lines—especially on flatbeds or tankers—can be deadly.
• Crush and Impact Injuries: These are among the most common and severe injuries in transport-related work.

Recommended Preventive Action

1. Watch Your Position
   Stay clear of hazard zones when opening trailer doors or removing tiedowns. Loads may shift or fall unexpectedly.
2. Follow Procedures
   Always use proper unloading practices—especially when handling equipment with specific manufacturer instructions.
3. Coordinate with Customers and Suppliers
   Align safety protocols across sites to ensure everyone is on the same page.
4. Keep Training Up to Date
   Regular refresher training and process reviews help maintain high safety standards.
5. Handle Dangerous Goods with Care
   Accidental releases pose serious health risks. Ensure workers are trained in WHMIS and TDG procedures.
6. Plan for the Heavy and Oversized
   When conventional equipment (like forklifts) won’t do the job, conduct a hazard assessment and develop safe work procedures.
7. Know the Limits Near Power Lines
   Stay outside the minimum approach distances outlined in General Regulation 91-191 to avoid electrocution hazards.

Need More Info?

• WHMIS Regulations (Reg. 2016-6) – Occupational Health and Safety Act (NB)
• Limits of Approach to Electrical Lines – Section 289 of General Regulation 91-191