Tipping trucks have been involved in a number of accidents over the years, just like any other type of vehicle. M. McCann of the Center for Construction Research and Training reports that, between 1992 and 2007, dumping trucks killed 829 construction workers. Some of the risks these vehicles may be subject to include fires, collisions with other vehicles, failed brakes, short circuits, and accidents brought on by overspeeding.
New Features That Enhance Safety
Due to the high number of accidents involving dump trucks, it has become necessary to create new safety protocols that call for altering some of these trucks’ standard features. These safety precautions serve to protect both the driver and bystanders in different ways. Some of the features you can expect in new tipping trucks include:
– The tail gate protection feature will shield the cabin from harm in the event of a head-on or tail-to-head collision.
– Speed governors will be installed on the trucks to lower their speeds. These will either be mechanical or electronic. The speed limits won’t be uniform for all trucks because they will be set by individual management.
– Blind spot mirrors: these will aid in preventing accidents brought on by the driver’s blind spots.
– This alarm will let the driver know whether or not they have buckled their seatbelts. Seat belt reminder.
– Two brakes: In place of one brake, newer truck models will have two. In case the first one breaks down, the extra one will serve as a failsafe.
– There are reflectors all around the truck. By doing this, the truck will be more noticeable to other drivers at night.
Ways in Which Tipper Trucks can be Used Safely
Having seen how tipper trucks can be a source of danger, here are a few guidelines on how to avoid accidents while dumping truck loads:
– To prevent work-related accidents, scout the area where the dumping will take place. Worker’s compensation claims are at 6.7% and 11.2%, respectively, in mining and construction, two of the industries that use tipping trucks most frequently.
– Use cones in the color orange or green. The purpose of these cones is to warn onlookers that dangerous activity is occurring. At the trailer’s corners, these cones should be placed. Getting a spotter to help you would be ideal, if at all possible. As you dump the load, spotters, who serve as watchdogs, will alert you to any potential accidents.
– The location where the load will be dumped must be stable and level. It ought to be sturdy enough to support the weight of the truck as well as its load. This needs to be decided upon during the initial reconnaissance of the area.
– A truck that is tipping over shouldn’t ever be driven out of. Instead, the driver should make an effort to steady themselves by sitting in the truck’s back seat or by gripping the steering wheel. The driver should not emerge from the vehicle until it has reached a complete stop.