safety watch | by Amy Materson | AMaterson@randallreilly.

com

Safe trailering tactics

Proper planning and the right equipment can help you transport equipment safely
The accident: A
paving company em-
ployee was transport-
ing a compactor and
paver to a construc-
tion site. The driver
parked the tilt bed
trailer on level ground
and unloaded the
paver, then started to
unload the compac-
tor by backing the
machine down the
ramp. After traveling
approximately one
foot, the compac-
tor became unstable,
started to slide off
the edge of the ramp
and then tipped over.
The driver jumped
from the compactor,

Illustration by Don Lomax

but was struck by the
ROPS and pinned to
the ground. He later
died from his injuries.

The bottom line: A

post-accident investigation deter- Here are some tips to follow: Resist the urge to unfasten the
mined that, although the trailer had Know the limits. Before trans- belt and jump from the machine,
adjustable ramps to accommodate porting any equipment, check to as you are likely to be injured or
various axle lengths, the maxi- see that the combined weight of killed if struck by or pinned under
mum adjustment on that particular the machines will not exceed the the equipment. Stay within the op-
model did not provide adequate trailer’s carrying capacity. Also, erator restraints until the machine
support to safely load and unload the chains, hooks and D-rings will comes to a stop.
the compactor. all have an established working Use a second set of eyes. Since
load limit you must not exceed, as you’re likely to be backing a ma-
Trouble-free trailering well. Inspect tiedown assemblies chine off the trailer, never unload
When transporting equipment to prior to loading the equipment equipment alone. Ask for an as-
and from the jobsite, using the cor- onto the trailer. signed spotter to aid you by pro-
rect procedure, as well as the right Secure the seatbelt. When load- viding agreed-upon verbal direc-
equipment, is important to main- ing or unloading equipment, keep tions or hand signals regarding the
tain your safety and that of others. your seatbelt fastened at all times. safe positioning on the ramp.
Sponsored by
Information for this Safety Watch is from an accident report, the Center for Disease Control’s NIOSH Fatality Assess-
ment and Control Evaluation program and the state of Alaska’s FACE program. It is meant for general information only.

Date of safety talk: Leader: _____________________

Attending:
EquipmentWorld.com | May 2015 59