- Safety Should not be a Crushing Life Experience Where did those workplace incidents originate around that dump truck?
- Emptying a Load • Anytime the bed of the truck or trailer is raised, it places workers at risk unless hazardous situations are controlled or eliminated. Operators need to understand that a dump truck or trailer is at a risk for a tipping incident when the bed is raised because raising the bed changes the truck's center of gravity. Even if a dumping area is relatively flat, a tipping incident could occur if a slope is created by low tire pressure on one side or one set of tires sitting in a low area or a depression. Additional hazards that can increase the risk of a tipping incident include wind, loads that are not centered, and jack-knifed trailers. The longer the trailer, the more surface area is exposed to high winds, placing lateral pressure on the trailer and creating the potential for a tipping incident. • When filling the truck or dump trailer, evenly distribute the contents to maintain proper flow and prevent the load from shifting during unloading. When emptying, raise the bed slowly and allow the contents to slide slowly toward the rear. If the bed is raised too quickly, the rearward shift of the load could damage the lift mechanism or cause the trailer and truck to tip over. It is important not to jack- knife a truck and trailer, because doing so creates the potential for the cab to be crushed should the trailer tip.
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