FALLS FROM TRUCKS, TRAILERS OR EQUIPMENT

Some of the most serious injuries experienced by equipment operators and truck drivers are a result of falls from trucks and trailers or heavy equipment. In fact, 54% of all driver injuries from slips and falls are from getting on and off trucks and trailers. The reason is because many drivers & operators take this seemingly simple maneuver for granted.

There is a right and wrong way to enter and exit trucks or equipment. The most important thing to learn and remember is the “Three Point Rule”. That is, while climbing up or down, you should have at least three points of contact at all times. (Two hands & one foot or two feet & one hand.)
Here are some important tips to remember:

• Use all of the hand rails and steps provided. Don’t skip any. Check the condition of these hand rails and steps during your pre-trip inspection. Make sure there are no breaks or loose screws.
• Make sure the steps and rails are free of grease and oil, especially if the equipment has been recently serviced. If possible, when coupling and uncoupling your trailer, do it from the ground. If you must climb up, look out for grease around the 5th wheel and truck bed.
• Weather is always a factor. Rain, ice, sleet and snow can cause your hand rails and steps to become dangerously slippery. Always inspect and clean these areas during your pre-trip, and use caution and the “Three Point Rule” after each trip. Before you exit, run your hands across the mirror frame. If ice has built up on your mirror frames, your steps will also be iced over.
• Never jump from a truck, trailer or piece of equipment. Never use the fuel tank as a step.
  Use the proper footwear. Non-slip soles are your best bet.
• A clean cab is important. Keep items such as tools, tire bumpers and fire extinguishers in their proper place and out of your path of exit.
• Tarping loads is always a major concern. Factors such as fully loaded flatbeds with limited walking space, windy conditions or odd shaped loads can make tarping very dangerous. Container trailers or dumps with ever shifting loads such as gravel or wood chips can be a problem. If at all possible, equip your trailer with mechanical tarping, operated from the ground. If this is not an option, always walk in the middle of dumps, container trailers and level loaded flatbeds. On un-level loads, use a stepladder or forklift equipped with a man-lift platform to tarp from the side.
• One of the most important measures you can take to prevent a fall is to Take Your Time. Being in too much of a hurry will land you on your back. A five foot fall can be very serious.

Remember, Gravity Always Wins!