STAYING IN TOUCH: JACQUELYN ODURO
While the winter temperatures remain for the time being, it is never a bad idea to review and revise safe work practices and procedures, particularly tasks that occur frequently.
Dump trucks are a regular occurrence on worksites. Dump trucks can tip over when their boxes are lifted or come into contact with overhead wires and powerlines. Workers have been struck by dump trucks that were moving around or backing up on a site. They have also been crushed beneath the load of dump trucks during dumping and between pinch points, including the tires, dump box, and rear gate.
Some controls for dump truck-related hazards can include:
- Wear CSA high-visibility clothing when working around moving vehicles.
- When near a dump truck, make eye contact with the driver to make them aware of your presence.
- If you cannot make immediate eye contact, wave your hand to get their attention and wait for a wave back to ensure the driver has seen you.
- When a truck is dumping, stay at a safe distance out of the danger area. This way you will be safe if the truck tips over.
- A signal person should be at the sides or the rear during operation and dumping. The signaler should be visible to the truck driver but out of the danger zone in case the load dumps out too quickly.
- The signal person should check with the driver about the hand signals they will use.
- Watch for overhead wires. Use a signaler to warn drivers if any part of their equipment or load approaches the minimum distances to powerlines.
We often become accustomed to hazards on a work site when jobs occur regularly. Take time to emphasize regularly occurring hazards to prevent complacency and keep workers safe.
