As we moved into 2026, North American supply chains are once again operating in a climate of heightened uncertainty. The US government last year has revived intense trade rhetoric, renewed reshoring ambitions, and a strong push to reduce reliance on overseas manufacturing. In practice, however, this strategy has not simplified logistics, it has intensified operational pressure across warehouses and distribution centers, particularly those connected to US-Mexico trade corridors (ITS Traffic, 2026).

Nearshoring production to Mexico has accelerated cross-border freight activity, increased shipment frequency, and placed unprecedented strain on dock operations (Luna Logistics, 2025). For warehouse leaders, the challenge is no longer theoretical. It is happening daily, at ground level, where employees’ safety and productivity dangerously collide.

Political uncertainty translating into operational risk

One of the most disruptive realities of the current trade environment is its unpredictability. According to an article published by the Baker Institute in December 2025, tariffs will remain delayed, revised, or unexpectedly temporarily suspended. Rules of origin and compliance requirements continue to evolve quickly. For supply chain planners, this volatility creates irregular shipping patterns and last-minute volume shifts.

At the warehouse level, this means trailers arriving earlier than expected or sitting at the dock far longer than planned. Extended dwell times, congested yards, and rushed unloading schedules all increase exposure to safety risks. When operations are forced to adapt on the fly, procedures are more likely to be bypassed, especially at busy loading docks.

Increased dock intensity

While nearshoring shortens transport distances, it has significantly increased the number of truck movements. Shorter routes often encourage higher shipment frequency, tighter delivery windows, and faster turnaround expectations.

As a result, docks are under constant pressure to move freight quickly. In these conditions, even a minor lapse, such as a trailer moving unexpectedly during loading, can lead to serious injuries and operational shutdown.

Health and safety organisations and safety experts are continuously sounding the alarm: loading docks accidents account for up to 25% of all industrial ones, with trailer creep and premature vehicle departures still ranking among the most severe, and most underestimated, risks in warehouse environments.

Labor turnover undermining traditional safety models

Labor challenges continue to affect the industry. High turnover, reliance on temporary workers, and the constant flow of third-party drivers mean that many individuals on site are unfamiliar with facility-specific safety procedures. This reality exposes the limits of safety models that depend heavily on training, memory, or individual vigilance.

In 2026, warehouse safety must be designed into the operation, not enforced through reminders alone. Safety systems need to be intuitive, visible, and effective regardless of workers’ experience level or language.

E-Commerce leaves no margin for error

E-commerce volumes remain strong in the US, projecting to reach nearly $6.88 trillion in global retail sales this year, with sustained demand for rapid fulfillment and minimal delays. Any incident at the dock, whether an injury, equipment damage, or near miss, has immediate consequences: missed shipping windows, labor disruptions, and inevitably customer dissatisfaction. It’s clear that safety failures are no longer isolated events. They ripple across the entire operation.

Securing your loading docks in a high-pressure environment

The Power Chock®, GMR Safety’s wheel-based vehicle restraint system addresses some of the most critical risk points in warehouse operations: unintended trailer movement during loading and unloading and early trailer departures. As a simple, yet effective vehicle restraint system, it provides a frontal and physical immobilization of the trailer by restraining it from its sturdiest part, which is the wheel.

Facilities facing higher dock density, fluctuating volumes, and workforce instability, Power Chock wheel-chocking systems deliver tangible benefits:

• Reduced risks and accidents at every dock, every shift
• Best ROI on the market and comes with an exclusive 5-year warranty
• Faster, safer dock operations during peak periods, even in extreme winter conditions
• A visible commitment to employee safety that supports retention and morale

To learn more about dock safety and GMR Safety’s Power Chock vehicle restraints, visit gmrsafety.rt5.ca.

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ITS Traffic, 2026 – Nearshoring & Cross-Border Logistics. https://www.itstraffic.com/post/2025-freight-industry-review-and-2026-outlook

Luna Logistics, 2025 – Is the Freight Recession Finally Ending? Reading the Tea Leaves of Rate Recovery in Late 2025. https://lunalogistics.net/freight-rate-recovery-market-outlook-november-2025/

Baker Institute, 2025 – Strategic Priorities for the 2026 USMCA Review. https://www.bakerinstitute.org/research/strategic-priorities-2026-usmca-review