Loading docks are the hub of activity and are one of the most dangerous spots in a warehouse.
This is due to the combination of hazards and the volume of activities that occur in this usually confined area.
Damaged cargo can be costly to a business. It can result in lost materials, lost customers, citations and a poor company image. Worse, improperly secured cargo can lead to traffic incidents and injuries to workers.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year.
Currently, workplaces in the United States function under the Hazard Communication Standard 1910.1200 as published in the Code of Federal Regulations on March 11, 1994 - also referred to as HCS 1994.
The first step in the process of developing a RPP is to conduct an industrial
hygiene audit of the workplace to assess the presence of any atmospheric contaminants.
Respiratory hazards can take the form of harmful dust, fogs, fumes, mists,
gases, smoke, sprays or vapors.