In earlier blogs we discussed the history of the loading dock and of trucking transportation in America. These two things are interconnected, of course. Businesses began to change the way they transported and then warehoused their products, and they invented ways to do that more safely and efficiently. One of the earliest loading dock safety products was the trailer restraint. Trailer restraints save lives. Let’s talk about how.
American Interstate and International Commerce Explodes
The use of trailer restraints dates back to the mid-20th century, when commercial trucking and shipping began to expand rapidly in the United States. This was because of three things: important changes in transportation technology, the rapid expansion of the interstate highway system, and the post-World War II economic boom. American goods were in high demand at home and abroad and they needed to be shipped quickly.
In 1950, trucks carried a total of 120 billion ton-miles of freight, while in 1960, that figure had more than doubled to 257 billion ton-miles. As the size and weight of trucks and trailers increased, so did the need for effective safety mechanisms to prevent accidents and injuries.
The History of Trailer Restraints
One of the earliest forms of trailer restraint was the wheel chock, a wedge-shaped block that could be placed against one or more of the trailer’s wheels to prevent it from rolling away from the dock. They were a simple, inexpensive way to secure a trailer, but they had their limitations. Because they could not fully secure a very heavy trailer and were sometimes forgotten as a safety measure, trucking companies were interested in more comprehensive solutions to trailer creep.
In the 1960s and 1970s, hydraulic and electric trailer restraints began to emerge. These used a locking arm or plate installed on a dock that could be connected with a corresponding plate or hook on the trailer. These systems provided a more secure and reliable way to hold trailers in place during loading and unloading, and they still exist. Beuschel Sales sells and installs the Hidden Hook vehicle restraint that operates hydraulically via a push button.
Today many types of trailer restraints are on the market, including mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic restraints. The history of trailer restraints reflects the ongoing evolution of safety technology in the transportation industry, as companies and regulators work to develop new and more effective ways to prevent accidents and protect workers.
Beuschel Sales offer three different types of trailer restraints and two different types of wheel chocks, all of which work to prevent trailer movement, accidents, and injuries. Contact us if you are interested in trailer restraints or would like to discuss any safety problem you are having in your facility or on your loading dock. We are here to help.