The Importance of Dock Safety: Best Practices for All Users

Anytime you’re near the water, it’s imperative to prioritize safety. This includes when you’re on a dock. A simple slip and fall while walking to your boat can lead to a significant injury if you’re not careful. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize dock safety risks by following a few best practices.

Dock Safety 101

Creating a safe dock environment is important for everyone. When considering the needs of your property, keep these areas in mind.

• General safety precautions – Taking basic steps to ensure your dock is safe for all users should be an ongoing practice. Measures like conducting routine inspections of your equipment and taking notice of your surrounding areas are important to preventing accidents.

• Slip and fall prevention – Slips, trips and falls are common dock disasters. Help avoid them by taking precautionary steps such as adding anti-slip coatings to your dock walking surfaces, clearing debris and trip hazards right away, and installing handrails as necessary.

• Equipment safety – Worn-out or degraded equipment and dock hardware can be significant hazards. Consider updating your hardware with rust-resistant alternatives. If you notice any maintenance issues during your dock inspections, take care of them right away. This also includes paying attention to any electrical considerations. Electrical panels, outlets, and wiring should always be protected from water and moisture.

• Weather and environmental considerations – Always pay attention to the weather conditions and take precautions as necessary. This includes securing loose items during high winds and taking action when other weather and environmental impacts may affect the safety of your dock, guests and property.

Lastly, an important part of dock safety is communicating with all dock users about best practices for staying safe while on the dock. It’s also beneficial to post safety signage and emergency procedures so everyone knows what to do if an accident were to occur.

Keep your family and friends safe while enjoying your dock by staying on top of safety and maintenance considerations. To learn more about what you can do to improve the safety and longevity of your custom dock, get in touch with us at RDS Dock Hardware today. All our products are manufactured in New Hampshire and Minnesota and are made to withstand the most demanding conditions.