Slip And Fall Prevention For Truck And Trailer Safety

The most common injuries that truck drivers experience are caused by slip and fall accidents. A study of these types of injuries showed that over half of accidents occurred while drivers exited their vehicles or tried to get down from their trailers. Another ten percent of injuries occurred while drivers were trying to secure their loads.

Slips, trips, and falls can cost a company a lot of money and a driver years of painful recovery. However, these accidents are preventable if trailer safety measures are put in place. Read on to learn about the safety requirements, training, and tips that can keep you safe.

Standards set by federal regulations

Standards set by the federal government state that a person entering or exiting a cab needs to have proper steps and handholds. The driver is to have at least three of his or her limbs in contact with the truck at any time. These standards also require a handhold to be located within reach of any passenger entering or exiting the vehicle.

There are some products that can be used to prevent slips and falls, but these must be approved by the government to meet federal standards. One of these, the Deckmate Ladder from Gateway Supply, has been approved by the U.S. Department of Labor’s accident prevention program and by MHSA. Deckmate Ladders easily and safely attach to existing rub rails. If your trailers do not have rub rails, there is a bolt-on bracket that can be placed on a trailer to attach to the ladder. The Deckmate Ladder will eliminate the need for a driver to jump from the flatbed trailer and prevent drivers from sustaining injuries.

Drivers should be trained in trailer safety

All semi truck drivers should know how to safely enter and exit their cab and trailer. When climbing onto the body of a trailer, it is extremely important that the driver avoids long steps and reaches. The Deckmate Ladder eliminates the need for drivers to overstretch to handle their loads. This trailer safety product will easily hook onto the rub rails and stay in place, with no slipping or sliding.

More safety tips to prevent accidents

Covering loads on a flatbed can be dangerous and can often cause a driver to slip and fall. If you walk around a covered load, be aware that the tarp may cover pockets or gaps. You should test your footing before placing full weight down. Also, be aware of wind conditions as the wind can catch a tarp and throw off your balance. When tightening the straps on a load, be sure to keep out of the bar’s path.

Proper footwear is an essential

Most trucking companies have footwear policies in place to reduce exposure to slip and fall injuries. Drivers should be required to wear footwear with slip-resistant soles. There should be no cowboy boots or raised-heel shoes allowed. Proper footwear will have slip-resistant soles, crush-resistant toes, low heels, and appropriate ankle support.

Find the best trailer safety method

Gateway Supply in Pampa, Texas is a U.S. distributor of the Deckmate Ladder. This tool will help drivers prevent disabling injuries to their spinal column and knees resulting from climbing on or off trailer beds. The Deckmate Ladder weighs only 20 pounds, can hold up to 400 pounds, and will hang on the trailer bed at a convenient working angle. The ladder also stays secure wherever it is placed and will not blow over in the wind.

Semi truck drivers and those who frequently work with loads on flatbed trailers should always keep safety in mind. Choosing the Deckmate Ladder as your go-to safety method can help keep you safe. Call us at (806) 440-1126 or Contact Us via email to learn more about how we can help you prevent slips and falls.