Hi, site I work at are reviewing whether to utilise the dock levellers (currently used for containers only), to load curtain sider lorries using a ride-on pallet truck to enter the rear.

The curtains that would be used are to EN 12642 xl standard, however I can't find where it states they are load tested for pallet trucks etc. We've reached out to another company who do this practice but they say it's really down to indivduals choice if they have other controls in place to mitage risk.

Cut long story short, is it safe to use a pallet truck to load pallets from the rear?

Thank you

The curtains are not considered load restraints despite the EN refrence.

Is loading by pallet truck safe? Depends:

Is there enough light to see what is happening?

Are the curtains fixed in position to stop the operator stepping off the trailer bed?

Is the trailer bed in good / reasonable condition i.e. flat without significant wear & indentations?

Is the pallet truck in a good state of repair and suitable e.g. has a braking mechanism?

What is being loaded? weight / bulk i.e. too heavy to move or too big to see around

Is the dock access level i.e. no incline / decline to the trailer bed?

Are open falls from the dock & leveller guarded?

Finally is there access to apply suitable load strapping once the pallets are on board?