Wheel chocks are designed to prevent stationary vehicles from shifting or moving when they are not in use. They also help prevent accidents on-site and help with employee safety. Wheel chocks must be secured properly to keep trucks and other vehicles from moving, especially on a grade.
When should I use wheel chocks?
Wheel chocks are used for safety and accident prevention. Chocking, also known as blocking, is done to prevent trucks and trailers from unintentionally moving, like rolling or overturning, while workers are loading, unloading, hitching, unhitching or servicing the vehicle.
Do wheel chocks really work?
As we’ve learned, they provide an uphill impediment to your car’s tires, and wheels don’t travel naturally uphill. What’s more, a wheel chock uses friction to keep your car from sliding. So they’re an all-around good investment to keep in your trunk.
How many wheel chocks are required?
OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.178 requires vehicle operators to set their truck and trailer brakes and block their wheels to prevent vehicle movement. The standard notes that chocks should be placed under the rear wheels, which means two chocks should be used – chocking just one wheel isn’t enough.
Do I need 2 or 4 wheel chocks?
Therefore, you should use one chock per tire to make sure it does not roll away. Using four chocks also secures both the front and back end to limit movement. For smaller trailers or fifth wheels, you may be able to get away with two chocks. … Remember that using more chocks correlates with better safety.
Where do you place a wheel chock?
Wheel chocks must be positioned downhill and below the vehicle’s center of gravity. On a downhill grade, position the chocks in front of the front wheels. On an uphill grade, position the chocks behind the rear wheels. On a level grade, position the chocks on the front and back of a single wheel.
Who is responsible for wheel chocks?
The driver, dock workers, and forklift drivers share the responsibility to ensure that the truck and trailer wheels are properly chocked.
How do you choose wheel chocks?
Ideally, the correct wheel chock should be about 1/4 of the tire’s height. This means that if the vehicle has 36-inch tires, the wheel chock should be about 9 inches in height. This should allow the chock to fit securely under the tire.
Why are they called wheel chocks?
Chocks, the word meaning referred with airport and airlines is actually a wedge-shaped sturdy rubber or wooden block or even a metal structure. These pieces of wood or rubber or metal is usually used to stop or prevent the motion of an aeroplane on ground.
Does OSHA require wheel chocks?
OSHA is very clear when it comes to wheel chocks– use them. … OSHA also says it will enforce its wheel chock requirement on all trailers and trucks that are not classified as commercial motor vehicles. Put simply, if you are not a commercial motor vehicle, you need to chock.
What angle do you cut wheel chocks?
The 45 degree angle provides an optimal split in the load to the wheel and pavement (for a straight cut). Although a cupped cut is theoretically better than a straight cut, it would have increased the complexity of the build considerably.
What can I use instead of wheel chocks?
Bricks would be safe enough as wheel chocks because the rubber tyre spreads the load. (Imagine trying to chock a railway wagon with a brick however, and it would be another matter.) But all the same, the proper wedge-shaped blocks are probably best.
Are wheel chocks required with dock locks?
Based on this directive, it appears that dock locks are acceptable for use without wheel chocks as long as the dock locks meet the criteria above. Note: This question was answered by experts at Safety.BLR.com. If you would like to take a free trial of this safety resource, click here.
What is a chock on a ship?
marine. A guide for a mooring line, or steel towing wire which enables the line to pass through a ship bulwark or other barrier.
Do you chock both sides of camper?
Chocking your wheels is such a simple task and is an extremely important safety measure. If you don’t have chocks or happen to forget them, you can shove a rock in front of the tires to keep the tires from rolling and keeping your rig in place. … To be extra safe, I recommend you chock both sides of each trailer.
How do I keep my travel trailer from rolling?
The best way to stop your travel trailer from rocking is by using a combination of leveling jacks which reduce up and down motion, stabilizers that reduce side to side motion, and wheel chocks to reduce any movement of the tires.
How does a wheel chock work?
Wheel chocks (or chocks) are wedges of sturdy material placed closely against a vehicle’s wheels to prevent accidental movement. Chocks are placed for safety in addition to setting the brakes. … If the rear axle is jacked off the ground with only the parking brake set, the vehicle may roll on the front wheels and fall.