Forklift / Yard Ramps
Stationary Dock Ramp or Portable Yard Ramp
The layout of your shipping yard or dock will determine what yard ramp features and specifications will work best for you. Along with length, width, and material, consider the following when choosing your ideal yard ramp:
- Dock-to-ground applications can benefit from a stationary yard ramp that, while it can still be moved by a forklift, is designed to remain in place
- Portable yard ramps are easy to maneuver into position for quickly loading and unloading rail cars or trailers and feature hydraulic lifts to accommodate different heights
- Level-offs, often 6’ in length, are recommended for ground-to-truck applications and enhance maneuverability for forklifts
How to Find the Right Loading Dock Ramp: Questions to Ask
When choosing a yard ramp, you’ll want to evaluate the needs of your shipping yard or warehouse. Ask yourself the following questions to best determine what ramp will be your best fit:
- Will you be moving cargo from a container or trailer to the ground or from a loading dock to the ground?
- What is the highest total gross weight your facility will see? We recommend purchasing a yard ramp that can handle three times the maximum capacity of your forklift.
- What is the maximum height of shipping containers or semi-trailers that will loaded or unloaded?
- Is a portable loading dock platform ideal for rapidly loading and unloading incoming shipments?
OSHA Compliance for Forklift Ramps
OSHA 1910.178 Powered Industrial Truck guidelines lay out the safety measures and training requires by certified forklift drivers, including safety measures to take when using a forklift or loading dock ramp. While there are no specific OSHA requirements that forklift ramps must adhere to in order to be compliant, the general requirement for ramps as per the OSHA 1926.451(e)(5)(iii) Access: Ramps and walkways guidelines state that no ramp must have an incline or slope greater than 20 degrees.
Forklift drivers must adhere to OSHA 1910.178 Powered Industrial Truck guidelines while using the ramp, including taking such precautions as:
- Going up and down ramps slowly (1910.178(n)(7)).
- Using load upgrade when going up or down ramps with a greater grade than 10% (1910.178(n)(7)(i)).
- For all grades, tilting and raising loads back only as much as necessary to clear the surface (1910.178(n)(7)(iii)).
Additionally, always inspect loading dock ramps prior to use. Do not use the yard ramp if you see cracks, missing hardware or components, compromised parts, or other issues that could lead to injury or damage.
We're Here to Help
For help with finding the safest, most efficient yard ramp for your application, call our team of trained product experts at 888-651-3431. We can evaluate your needs and recommend the best fit for your warehouse, loading dock, or shipping yard.