The driver, dock workers, and forklift drivers share the responsibility to ensure that the truck and trailer wheels are properly chocked.
Are wheel chocks mandatory?
Wheel chocks are not required for independent CMV drivers , but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good idea to have a backup plan should your brakes malfunction. Accidents do happen. Wheel chocks simply ensure that you are looking out for the safety of yourself and those around you.
When should a trailer have its wheels chocked?
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.
What is chocking your wheels?
Chocking, also known as blocking, is a procedure in which chocks — wedges made of dense material — are placed against a truck or trailer’s tires to prevent accidental movement . The bottom of the chock may be coated or textured to grip the ground better.
Can you drive over wheel chocks?
The Drive-Over Chock is the first ATV/ UTV trailer chock that is set in place once and stabilizes all tires on a single axle simply by driving over it. ... The Drive-Over-Chock is designed to your vehicle in place while transporting it. The chock supports golf carts, ATVs, UTVs and other vehicles.
What angle should wheel chocks be?
Most manufacturers say you should use wheel chocks that are a bit taller than 1/4 of the height of the wheel. Also pay attention to the slope angle of the wheel chock. The general rule is this simple math equation: (chock height ÷ the height of the wheel) ÷ 0.016 = the maximum angle slope for a chock to be effective.
Where should wheel chocks be placed?
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.
How many wheel chocks do you need for a trailer?
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.
What can I use as a wheel chock?
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 plastic wheel chocks safe?
Polyurethane plastic is the second most common material for wheel chock. They’re better at resisting cuts, blunt damage, water damage, and wind damage than rubber chocks, and they’re lighter-weight than rubber or aluminum. But, plastic wheel chocks are not as high-strength as aluminum or steel alloy chocks.
Do you need wheel wedges to change a tire?
Wheel wedges will also help prevent rolling. If you don’t have wheel wedges, bricks or large stones will do the trick. If you’re changing a rear tire, place the wedges before the front tires . If you’re changing a front tire, set the wedges behind the rear tires.
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 .
How do trailer chocks work?
Usually made of wood, metal or hard plastic, chocks are placed snugly up against a tire to keep it from moving , when the terrain isn’t quite level. Many chocks have a rubber coating on the bottom to help them grip the ground, creating more friction to hold them in place.
