Another loading bay hazard and possibly a very dangerous one is when a semi-trailer is being loaded, without the articulated tractor unit connected, tips forward. This can happen if the semi-trailer landing legs fail, if the trailer has been loaded incorrectly or, when the trailer is empty, it becomes unbalanced when a loaded forklift truck is driven into it. Most warehouse operatives and many lorry drivers themselves don’t realise that a trailer can tip forwards. Some companies like to load palletised items on the headborad of their trailers to ensure bulky items are dealt with first, then fill the remaining load compartment volume with other smaller items. This practice is fine with care, but you must also ensure those palletised items are not too heavy and then contribute to overloading of the kingpin and drive axle of the tractor unit when coupled.
