Workers who use their bodies at work to whatever extent are susceptible to injury. Truckers are no exception, especially with the lifting they sometimes do while working. It is common knowledge that driving is a hazardous job. Therefore truck driving is one of the most dangerous jobs, so it isn’t a shock. Truck drivers have one of the highest numbers of days off work and compensation claim rates due to injuries associated with work.
Some of these injuries are from falls, being hit by objects, and collisions with other vehicles. Although the truckers’ responsibilities seem mundane, improper techniques may lead to injuries at work. In order to avert these injuries and their associated costs to the trucker and others, here are a few paramount preventive measures.
Comfort And Control First
Truck driving usually requires truckers to be on the road for several hours. Consequently, it is important that they are comfortable and do not assume a posture that can cause a backache and numb buttocks. Also, the trucker should sit in a position that doesn’t cause neck strain while driving. These help to avoid injuries to both the driver and prevent accidents.
Other than this, make sure you have one of the best semi-truck steering wheels for comfortable riding and better control over your truck. And for better concentration, you need to ensure the noise pollution created by your truck is bare minimum and having a chrome exhaust can always keep the noise level low.
Give Yourself Some Rest
Since truckers take long trips and are required to cover long distances, it is tempting to keep going even when they are exhausted. Please resist this temptation. Do not travel for more than twelve alternate hours. Take a couple breaks. Avoid sitting in the driver’s seat during those breaks and stretch a little. Take a walk. Relax, especially when you feel fatigued and need to restore your energy. This would ultimately refresh you and keep you focused thereby reducing the risk of accidents.
Lane Distance
As a trucker, it is imperative to be aware of the proper lane distance between vehicles. To avert road accidents, it is vital to know the starting and stopping distances, as well as appropriate speeds and breaks distance. These are determined by the weight of the load being transported. A favorable break distance is unlikely to cause collisions with other vehicles. Items falling off of a truck usually happen when the driver doesn’t sustain the proper speed or become careless.
Truck accidents in Riverside, California are commonplace as big rigs, tractor-trailers, tankers, and commercial trucks regularly use the 10, 210, 15, and 215 Freeways and drive throughout the area.
Entry And Exit
Seeing that as a truck driver, it is important to take ample breaks and stretches during trips, boarding and exiting the vehicle would occur frequently. Do not jump from the vehicle. It puts pressure on the joints. Climb out using the three points of contact rule. This rule states that three out of the four limbs should be in contact with the vehicle. It means using both feet and one hand or both hands and one foot. This gives support and ample advantage to recover from a fall or slip, which would have been otherwise painful.
The three points of contact rule are important when entering or exiting the truck and when working on elevated work surfaces. Look out for ice, water, or fragments on the ground that might make egressing dangerous before leaving the truck.
Don’t Be Macho
Loading or unloading trucks is an aspect of truck driving that is outside actual driving. Gage the cargo first as the size might deceive you. Do not carry cargo with too much weight. Use mechanical aids, seek assistance as required, and proper lifting technique when lifting heavy loads. Use the three points of contact rule when pushing. Wear proper footwear with good traction in winter and check for wear regularly.
In addition to practicing safety measures to avoid injuries, truck drivers should ensure their regulatory filings are up to date. Completing the UCR Adjustment Filing is essential for maintaining compliance and avoiding potential legal issues on the road. This proactive step can help drivers focus more on their safety and less on regulatory concerns.
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