Dump trucks seem like straightforward equipment for transporting waste. But improper truck operations cause injuries and death annually. Protect yourself with these four essential safety tips for working with a dump truck.
Always park your truck on even, solid ground when loading and unloading. During loading and unloading, the center weight of the load shifts and makes the vehicle less balanced. Inclines and uneven surfaces further alter the truck’s center of gravity and increase the risk of a tip-over.
Prevent rollovers and other accidents by keeping the load within the truck’s weight capacity. Distribute the weight of the load evenly in the dump truck to prevent imbalance.
Load up starting at the center of the platform and moving out toward the edges, from the front of the box to the back. Loading at the center lets finer materials like gravel and dirt spread more evenly. Finish loading using a side-to-side motion to ensure an even weight distribution.
Another essential safety tip for working with a dump truck is to use a spotter if you need assistance driving in areas where you don’t have a clear line of sight. Agree on hand signals before the operation starts for the smoothest and safest communication.
Strike-based injuries are some of the most common health risks on construction sites since large equipment can hit workers when operators or bystanders don’t exercise enough caution. The spotter should know the vehicle’s blind spots, and the operator should stop the truck anytime they lose sight of the spotter.
Different materials flow out in various ways during dumping. A liner helps materials flow out more easily and uniformly.
Some materials flow poorly. Load less of this material or distribute it slightly more toward the rear of the bed.
Cold weather can cause materials to freeze and stick to the truck rather than flow out during dumping. Don’t leave loads in the vehicle overnight during freezing weather.
Load and unload the dump truck on even, stable ground. Distribute the load evenly to maintain a balanced center of gravity. Follow best practices when using a spotter for guidance. Finally, understand how loads flow when dumped and optimize your loading practices for the smoothest flow.
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