Government urges greater flatbed trailer safety

Drivers should stay on the ground unless they have the right equipment

 

A video on flatbed trailer safety has been released by the New South Wales Government.

Falls from flatbed trucks and trailers – safety alert is produced by WorkCover NSW.

The video is promoted in the latest Road Freight Matters bulletin issued by Roads and Maritime Services.

“Falls from flatbed trucks are usually serious, and sometimes fatal, but there are several ways to stay safe while loading and unloading flatbeds,” the bulletin says.

It says the following tips apply to small as well as large businesses.

  1. Stay on the ground during loading and unloading
  2. Use equipment to help you load
  3. Preconfigure the load to suit the equipment
  4. Pre-sling the load
  5. Consider using load restraints that are accessible from the ground
  6. Put a guard rail or temporary platform in place, or use a retractable ladder or step with handrails
  7. Use travel restraints, or
  8. If not practical, consider using a fall arrest system.

An example of safer trailer design is the award-winning extendable flat top created by OneSteel and Maxitrans.

Instead of the usual steel frame with huge gaps in the extension, Maxitrans engineered a gap-less walkway which folds into place as the trailer extends.

This means drivers and other staff are able to walk when necessary between each deck of the trailer without the risk of falling between the gaps (see photo above and below).

 

OneSteel extendable trailer: On the boardwalk.

 

The latest Road Freight Matters bulletin also includes items on improved truck access; streamlined registration and licensing; low loader licensing; compliance; and a “Speed Adviser” smartphone app.

You can check out the trailer safety video here or below.

 

 

 

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