WHat’s the deal?

• Truck ramps are one of the most useful bits of kit on a load-in or get-out.

• Turn a trailer into a workable route so you can move flightcases, racks, wardrobe, and scenery quickly without constant dead lifts. 

• Also where a lot of avoidable incidents happen.

Ramp combines three things at once:

• A change of level
• Limited space
• Heavy rolling loads.

Quick loss of control if:

• If the ramp isn’t seated properly,
• The angle is too steep,
• The landing area isn’t clear, or
• People overcrowd the move

• Hazard – Ramp not seated correctly (lip not flush / gaps / obstructions)

  Risks – Loads snag, bounce, or stop suddenly at the lip; the ramp can shift under load; handlers can lose balance or lose control of a rolling item at the worst point (the top transition).

  Control Measures – Fit the ramp so the 90° locator lip sits flush to the trailer end plate with no gaps or debris. Visually check alignment, then test by walking on/off before sending any load. If it won’t seat safely, adjust the truck position or choose a different method.

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  Hazard – Ramp displacement during use

  Risks – A ramp can be displaced by rolling loads coming off the trailer. If it drops or shifts, it can injure multiple people at once and create a sudden fall/runaway situation.

  Control Measures – Confirm correct seating and load-bearing before use, keep the move controlled (no impacts), and run one item at a time so the ramp isn’t being hit repeatedly. Keep the ramp area managed so people aren’t standing in a position where a shifting ramp can strike them.

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  Hazard – Ramp angle too steep

  Risks – Over-steep ramps increase runaway risk on descents, stall/rollback risk on ascents, and increase the effort required—leading to slips, dropped control, and crush potential.

  Control Measures – Assess the angle before moving loads. Where possible ask the driver about dropping hydraulics to reduce camber; if still too steep, change plan (different ramp/longer ramp, reposition vehicle, or alternative unloading method).

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  Hazard – Wet weather / slippery ramp surface

  Risks – Footwear traction becomes unpredictable, ramps become slippery, and the chance of a slip while controlling a heavy rolling load increases sharply.

  Control Measures – Treat wet ramps as a high-risk condition. Pause and reassess method, increase control measures and staffing as needed, and don’t proceed if the surface condition means you can’t keep the move predictable.

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  Hazard – Slippery/uneven landing areas (top and bottom)

  Risks – Even with a good ramp, a bad landing area causes wheel snagging, sudden twists, or handlers slipping as they step on/off the ramp—often at the moment the load transitions to level ground.

  Control Measures – Check and clear both landing zones before starting. Make sure there’s space at the top to receive and space at the bottom to stop and reorient safely. If the floor condition can’t be made safe, change the unloading approach.

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  Hazard – Runaway wheeled items on a gradient (cases, racks, wardrobe)

  Risks – A load can surge and crush hands/feet/legs, collide with people or property, or pull handlers down the ramp. Your guidance explicitly flags runaway cases and crushing as a core hazard.

  Control Measures – Use the object-specific ramp methods: correct crew positions front/back/sides, one caller, and clear “go” calls. Keep the receiving space clear, and stabilise loads immediately once they’re off the ramp.

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  Hazard – Crowding the ramp (trying to fit people either side of the load)

  Risks – People lose footing or get pinned because there often isn’t enough width for handlers and the load, especially on narrow ramps. This is explicitly called out as a common cause of falls and injury.

  Control Measures – Use only the people needed in positions that actually help (front brace/back drive/side steadies where required) and keep others clear. If the load/people physically won’t fit safely, change method (different ramp setup, more space, or alternative handling).

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  Hazard – More than one item on the ramp at a time

  Risks – Reduced stopping distance, blocked escape routes, and a higher likelihood of collision if the first item stalls or runs.

  Control Measures – One item on the ramp at a time. Don’t start the next move until the previous load is fully clear and stable at the top or bottom.

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  Hazard – Manual handling the ramp itself (heavy, awkward, finger crush points)

  Risks – Strains from lifting a long awkward object; trapped fingers on set-down; dropped ramp striking feet/legs; uncontrolled ramp slide when pulled from storage.

  Control Measures – Use the right numbers: your guidance notes articulated lorry ramps can be a minimum 4-person lift, and ramp retrieval/placement should not be done solo. Check safe footing, adequate light, and that nothing is leaning on/being supported by the ramp before untying or moving it. Use a planned hand-off with clear comms.

Decide if a ramp is the right method

• If only a couple of items need to come out and you’ve got enough hands (or mechanical help), it may be safer to lift direct from the truck rather than creating a ramp operation.

• If it’s wet, if wind will affect large pieces, or if the ramp can’t be set at a safe workable angle, pause and change method.

• Decommission when not in use – if  lifting a couple of items direct: the ramp can be laid flat at the back of the trailer and slid under the truck until needed again.
  • Must not be left on floor behind trailer = TRIP HAZARD

  • Never leaned off where it can’t be secured or becomes an obstruction

Set the environment first (space, traffic, angle)

• Make sure you have:
  • Clear space at the bottom to land and reorient items
  • Clear receiving and manoeuvring space at the top
  • Enough side space for the crew handlers that need to be there

• Install with the most minimal angle from the ground and ensure it’s sitting securely before loading/unloading.

• If the ramp won’t land well or the angle is too steep, ask the driver to reposition.

• Hydraulics sometimes can be used to reduce camber. 

• Put traffic/pedestrian controls in early (barriers where possible and needed) before the ramp comes out.

Whereabouts

• Under-trailer compartment via side panel (unpin and slide out). 

• Tail-end compartment behind/below licence plate (slides out longways). 

• Touring reality: tied inside trailer near doors, leant down the side of cases/flats, or laid across other kit.

Retrieve and hand off the ramp (numbers + method)

• Minimum 2 crew to retrieve/position from a travel compartment. 

• If it’s tied/ratcheted/leant/laid inside the trailer: aim for 4 crew (2 on truck, 2 to receive). 

• Before untying/lifting: confirm room to manoeuvre, safe footing, adequate light, and that nothing is leaning on or supported by the ramp.

• Hand-off is a controlled table: transfer weight deliberately and talk through the transfer.

Fit the ramp correctly and test it

• Most ramps have a 90° locator lip: it must sit flush to the trailer end plate with no gaps/obstructions. 

• Inspect the ramp (damage/soiling/sharp points) and the landing surface.

• Test by walking on/off before any load goes on it.

• Crew numbers/positions depend on: item weight, balance, wheelbase, grip points, and ramp width. 

• Don’t crowd the ramp. Only the people who can safely contribute should be in the ramp zone.

• Treat it as one controlled move at a time: don’t overlap loads on the ramp.

  • 1 item on the ramp at any one time and do not start the next until the last is completely clear

• Use one caller and clear timing language, especially for the “commit” moments
• Items coming off often displace the ramp—keep a careful eye for issues.
• Attempting to fit personnel either side of an article on the ramp will result in a fall/injury
• The side lips of the ramp can be used as a grind rail to add friction and help control wheeled boxes.

• Pre-check: wheels/brakes, clearance/grounding out, top-heavy risk, items secured.

• Staffing scales with width/weight. If wheelbase is too wide, the ramp notes describe a diamond orientation with high numbers and strict control phases.

• Break into phases: start → controlled descent/stop → reorient on the flat → move to destination with hands kept on through any turn-out.

• The diamond orientation method when wheelbase is too wide

• Hands stay on for any turn” step after descent.

• Pre-check: weight/handles/catches/wheels/brakes.

• Down ramp: rear handler controls push from handles; front handler braces. Add side handlers or more front/back for very heavy cases.

• Up ramp: one drives from behind with a short run-up; two runners either side stabilise on side handles and let go once fully crested. Notify truck, clear space to receive, call “1,2,3 Go”.

• Taxiing on top: avoid for descents; preferred method is taxi on the truck to ramp top, decant to edge, bring case down, then re-add on the flat.

• Pre-check: distribution, doors/pins, wheels/brakes.

• Front crew brace high at the top; rear crew keep connection with the ramp (one hand on handle, one on top).

• If it grounds out at the bottom, rear tilts slightly towards themselves from the top while front gives small tug until front wheels engage; then straighten and only then turn out.

• Pre-check: running/travel edges, balance, grip points vs fragile points, cables/rigging attached, and whether there’s space for the team to be on the ramp and still support the item.

• One caller. Use spotters either side of the ramp as balance/extra hands.

• Work in phases: start descent → front lands at bottom → bring fully off ramp → re-grip and carry to final location.

• Ask the driver what they want done.

• For lunch/overnight: ramp should be returned/secured and the trailer not left unattended with ramp attached for long periods.

• Return it as received and report damage/cleaning needs to driver and PM.