This again is why so many DC’s make you unhook from the trailer when you’re at the dock

I recognize the fact that unloading contractors have been the norm in food warehouse industry as long as I have been trucking.
It appears the lumper was not at fault in this accident, unless he was entering and leaving the trailer without checking the chock or other safety system in use to prevent movement when loading and unloading.

And I am guessing Winco also decided to use some sort of yard switching company to do that function.
And they probably use another 3rd party for inventory control, another one for maintenance, another for security, one to oversee safety and OSHA requirements, on and on it goes.

Get the drift?
All of these functions were done in house at one time. All were subcontracted because of the cost savings.
I used to work for one of the biggest 3PL's in the business, Penske Logistics. I know first hand how critical functions sometimes get over looked until a disaster like this occurs. then the finger pointing starts, and the lawsuits start flying.

 

The only safety system at any Winco I’ve been to is a red light and a green light and sign saying you’ll be fined for pulling a trailer out on a red light.

 

a driver’s break room? In this economy? They would sooner build the Driver’s Cage before we’d get a break room, goodness gracious

 

We've already got a driver cage in some warehouses. That chain link fenced in entryway with a magnetic door latch seems like a driver cage to me.

 

Wasn’t there but, the driver should’ve went to the back and got confirmation of ready to move truck. Extra 3-4 minutes may have prevented the accident. When in doubt Get Out And Look ( G.O.A.L. ) . Most places I’ve been use an airline lock on the trailer supply glad hand , even if they didn’t require it, I would disconnect my supply line . Better safe than sorry, at least on my part.