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Falls
are among the most common accidents and, yet, they
are also among the most preventable. In many cases,
you have control over whether or not you are going
to fall. You should be constantly aware of what is
going on around you and particularly of obstacles
and potentially hazardous situations which could cause
you to fall.
Preventing
slips, trips and falls means addressing the potential
for problems before they can become problems. The
following tips provide you with procedures for working
safely in and around trucks:
GETTING
IN AND OUT OF THE CAB
| 1. |
Don't
hurry or take shortcuts. |
| 2. |
Check
that you and the equipment are set for the job: |
| |
a. |
Inspect
hand and footholds; make all necessary repairs
immediately. |
| |
b. |
Wear
appropriate footwear: |
| |
|
•
|
Rubber
or composition-soled footwear. |
| |
|
•
|
Deeply
patterned soles work better than smooth soles
under almost all conditions. |
| |
|
•
|
Low-heeled
shoes or boots offer better stability. |
| |
c.
|
Be
alert of rain, snow and ice conditions, which
can create additional hazards. |
| 3. |
Open
the cab door and place gear inside the cab; both
hands must be free to enter the cab safely. |
| 4. |
Make
good use of handholds and footholds; don't use
the hub of the wheel or tire as a foothold - the
support is not adequate and these areas can be
slippery. |
| 5. |
As
you climb, always keep THREE limbs in contact
with the handholds and footholds (the three-point
stance); if you slip, there are two remaining
limbs to assist in your recovery, reducing the
potential for injury. |
| 6.
|
Exit
the cab the same way using the three-point stance
with your body facing the cab. Keep a firm grip
on handholds and be sure of footing. |
| 7.
|
NEVER
jump the cab; this can lead to sprains or fractures. |
WORKING
AROUND THE HOOK-UP AREA
| 1. |
When
hooking/unhooking or checking brake/electrical
connections, work from the ground if possible.
If not possible, use as many handholds and footholds
as you can to climb up. |
| 2. |
Plant
your feet solidly on a surface such as the deckplate
and use handholds; keep in mind that the deckplate
may be slippery. |
MOVING
AROUND THE TRAILER/TRANSPORT
| 1. |
Watch your step when performing pre and post-trip
inspections. Review your surroundings for oil,
grease spills, potholes, debris from boxes/palettes,
etc. (Wipe your feet on dry pavement as much as
possible after stepping in oil or grease.) |
| 2. |
When
working around the unit at night, use a flashlight
so you can see hazards. |
| 3. |
Don't
crawl under the trailer/transport unless it is
necessary to check the hookup or inspect a possible
defect. If you do crawl under the trailer/transport,
make sure the brakes are set so the trailer won't
roll. |
| |
a. |
Moving
out from underneath the trailer means you will
be in a crouched position and may be off balance,
resulting to a trip or fall, so move cautiously. |
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b. |
Stay
observant so you don't hit your head on the landing
gear, the frame or other parts of the trailer. |
CLIMBING
UP INTO THE TRAILER
| 1. |
Take your time. |
| 2. |
Use
the handholds and footholds when climbing up into
the trailer. Don't stretch by reaching too far.
(DOT bumpers can sometimes provide you with a
firm foothold.) |
| 3.
|
As
you walk in the trailer, scan the area for hazards
such as protruding nails, cracks and holes in
the floor or small objects that could twist an
ankle or trip you up. |
| 4. |
Use
a flashlight at night. |
| 5. |
NEVER
jump when leaving the trailer. If there is no
support for the three-point stance, squat down
and pivot down onto the ground, using your hands
to steady you and provide support. |
Please
note: Adverse weather conditions will make
all climbing and walking in and around trucks even
more hazardous. As such, extra precautions should
be taken during wet or snowy/icy weather.
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