STAYING IN TOUCH: JACQUELYN ODURO
With the winter weather here to stay, many trucked loads in heavy construction will be requiring covers, such as tarps. Covering a load with tarps and removing them afterwards can be hard work for flatbed truck drivers. Tarps can be very heavy and difficult to handle, especially if the load you are covering is large, uneven, or if the weather is windy, wet, or icy.
Tarping a load manually can put a driver or crew at risk of hazards like:
- Falling from heights while climbing on top of the load or on the trailer.
- Slipping or tripping on the tarp or straps.
- Developing a musculoskeletal injury (MSI) in the back, neck, shoulders, muscles, or joints from lifting and pulling, bending and reaching, overexertion, and working in awkward positions.
While tarping it is important to identify controls. These can include:
- Get help from other workers and plan the lift together.
- Use small, light tarps instead of large, heavy ones where possible. It takes less physical exertion to cover a load with three small tarps than with two large ones.
- Learn proper tarping techniques, like where to place and unfold the tarp, how to tuck in the folds, where to connect the bungee cords, straps, etc.
- Use a detachable ladder with handles or fold-out steps to get on and off trailers. While using maintain three-point contact when getting on and off trailers. Do not jump down!
- When weather conditions are windy, park the flatbed close to a building to block the wind and prevent the tarps from blowing around as much.
- Use both hands to pull the tarp to prevent overexertion. Keep your hands close to your body at about waist height to prevent overreaching.
- Wear appropriate PPE like non-slip gloves to maintain your grip and footwear that is appropriate for the weather conditions.
Take the time to demonstrate the proper tarping techniques with your crew and ask them to describe any problems they have had with tarping loads. Proper tarping technique and use will ensure safe travels for everyone this winter season.
