Dump truck drivers operate heavy vehicles, which is why they need to be extra cautious when driving on the road. Many new drivers entering the industry don’t have a firm understanding of the risks and dangers of driving such a large vehicle. Therefore, in this article, we will discuss several safety tips to keep you and others safe while you operate your dump truck.
5 Dump Truck Safety Tips
To help you out, we will discuss five safety tips that will keep you and others safe from the potential of an accident. Let’s get right into it.
1. Avoid Driving Alone
One of the biggest mistakes that dump truck drivers can make is driving solo. Operating alone means there’s no one around to be your lookout or help you with loading. Being alone increases the chances of being involved in an accident or sustaining injuries while trying to load the truck.
Therefore, it’s best for dump truck drivers to never operate alone, even if they have a lot of experience. They need a partner by their side that can help them with procedures like loading, navigating around a work-site, etc.
2. Check and Inspect Your Truck
Truck drivers need to inspect for issues and maintenance problems before hitting the road. Getting ahead of a minor issue can help you avoid a much bigger and costlier one later on.
Therefore, inspect each part of your truck before heading off to your next job. This includes checking the tire pressure, hoses, lights, pins, bushings, and more.
3. Prevent Over-Loading Your Truck
Dump trucks have a maximum weight capacity that you should not exceed. It’s best to avoid going beyond that limit as it can lead to long-term problems with the engine and other parts of the truck.
The best approach is to make sure the load is below the truck’s maximum capacity. Even if this means having to make multiple trips, it’s better than your truck encountering mechanical issues.
4. Load on Level Ground
Another safety tip that truck drivers need to keep in mind is to avoid loading on uneven ground. Regardless of what substance you’re loading in your truck, if it’s on uneven ground, there’s a chance it could tip over.
For example, if you’re loading soil, the force behind the initial dump could knock the truck over. That’s why truck drivers must inspect the ground below the dump truck before filling it, and avoid filling it until the ground is as level as possible.
5. Always Use the Bed Liner
Many drivers don’t know the sheer importance of a bed liner. Some think that the bed liner’s sole purpose is to protect the interior of the truck from scratches. While this is one of the functions of a bed liner, it has many others.
A bed liner is there to ensure that the load is deposited in an even manner. During the unloading process, the liner will keep the material balanced. If the load is unbalanced this can cause the truck to possibly tip.
Wrapping Up
Dump truck drivers can follow these simple tips to operate their trucks smoothly while keeping themselves and others safe. To summarize, you should have a partner by your side, don’t over-fill your truck, ensure the truck is on level ground when loading/unloading, don’t forget your bed liner and regularly inspect your truck for any maintenance issues.
Sources
https://www.coopskw.com/five-great-safety-tips-dump-truck-driving/