You must ensure:

(1) Portable and powered dockboards are strong enough to carry the load imposed on them.

(2) Dockboards put into initial service on or after October 1, 2020, are designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent employees from running off the dockboard edge.

(3) Portable dockboards are secured by anchoring them in place or using equipment or devices that prevent the dockboard from moving out of a safe position. When the employer demonstrates that securing the dockboard is not feasible, the employer must ensure there is sufficient contact between the dockboard and the surface to prevent the dockboard from moving out of a safe position.

(4) Powered dockboards are designed and constructed in accordance with Commercial Standard CS202-56 (1961) "Industrial Lifts and Hinged Loading Ramps" published by the U.S. Department of Commerce, or newer standards as effective as the code such as:

(a) American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Industrial Truck Standards Development Foundation (ITSDF) B56.1-2012, Trucks, Low and High Lift, Safety Standard (B56.1-2012).

(b) ASME/ANSI MH14.1-1987, Loading Dock Levelers and Dockboards (MH14.1-1987) (Ex. 371).

(c) ANSI MH30.1-2007, National Standard for the Safety Performance, and Testing of Dock Loading Devices (MH30.1-2007) (Ex. 372).

(d) ANSI MH30.2-2005, Portable Dock Loading Devices: Standards, Performance, and Testing (MH30.2-2005) (Ex. 20).

(5) Positive protective measures, such as wheel chocks or sand shoes, are used to prevent the transport vehicle (e.g., a truck, semi-trailer, trailer, or rail car) or container on which a dockboard is placed, from moving while employees are on the dockboard.

(6) You must ensure that handholds, or other effective means, are provided on portable dockboards to permit safe handling.