Tag: #dumptrucks

New from NIOSH: Dump truck safety guidance

Posted on by McCraren Compliance
Original article published by Safety+Health
dump-truck.jpg

Photo: Arizona Department of Transportation Flickr

Washington — Construction workers who operate dump trucks or work nearby are at risk from “multiple hazards, including struck-by, tip-over from loss of vehicle control, crushing, electrical and falls,” NIOSH says.

Newly released guidance from the agency states that more than 800 construction and extraction workers were killed in incidents involving dump trucks from 2011 to 2020.

When planning and preparing a construction project, employers should:

  • Develop a written safety program that addresses the safety hazards to drivers and those who work on the ground near dump trucks.
  • Require a competent person to inspect the work area for potential hazards before and during each shift to address changing conditions.
  • Provide staging areas to minimize backing up distances.
  • Create internal traffic control plans for areas involving dump truck travel.
  • Anticipate ground conditions through preplanning and provide a stable surface for all dumping operations.
  • Prepare and deploy signs and markers to show workers where to walk in high-traffic areas.
  • Follow applicable OSHA regulations and elements of consensus standards concerning work zone safety for roadway construction and high-visibility safety apparel.

The document includes additional guidance on the use of new technologies, training and personal protective equipment.

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

Prevent dump truck tip-overs

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

First published by Safety+Health an NSC publication

Prevent dump truck tip-overs Tips

Photo: Missouri Department of Transportation Flickr

Because of their high center of gravity, dump trucks can easily become unstable and tip over.

“Many factors contribute to dump truck tip-overs depending on the worksite and the type of truck used,” the Texas Department of Insurance Division of Workers’ Compensation explains. “However, the main hazard is related to the stability of the end-dump unit when the box is in the raised position. When the center of gravity of the box and load is not between the unit’s frame rails, there is a risk of tip-over.”

Some common factors that can cause tip-overs are operating on uneven or soft ground or a slope, materials being loaded unevenly, or the load doesn’t flow during dumping. “Sometimes material does not move out of the top portion of the box or does not flow out of one side of the top portion as expected,” TDI says. “The uneven distribution of the load can decrease the truck’s stability and result in a tip-over.”

Help prevent tip-overs with these tips from TDI:

  • Use the right type of dump truck for the job. “For example, use belly-dump semitrailers instead of end-dump semitrailers for spreading aggregate for road construction. Use straight trucks or pup trailers instead of semitrailers to haul to rough graded or fill areas where surfaces are uneven or loosely compacted.”
  • Stay within regulated weight limits.
  • Lighten the load when hauling poor-flowing materials.
  • Check to see that the vehicle is on even ground before dumping. Avoid soft, uneven surfaces.
  • Make sure the tailgate is unlocked and the vehicle is on a reasonably level surface before dumping.
  • Never dump near people or other vehicles.
  • Create a maintenance and inspection program. Preventive maintenance and regular inspections play an important role in eliminating vehicle tip-overs.
  • Establish and enforce safety procedures and policies.

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.