Many common workplace incidents are largely preventable with proper employee training. Here are five essential safety diagrams that every trucking company should have available to employees.
#1 Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention
Slips, trips, and falls continue to plague the trucking industry. In fact, falls on the same level resulted in direct costs of nearly $10.17 billion in 2016. Here are a few safety tips on how to prevent them:
- Clean all spills immediately. Marks spills and wet areas with warning signs and barricades.
- Keep walkways clear of clutter. Remove any obstacles.
- Secure mats, rugs, and carpets that do not lay flat.
- Spread grease-absorbent compound on oily surfaces.
- Never carry or push loads that block your vision.
- Cover all floor openings or protect them with guard rails.
#2 Proper Lifting Techniques Diagram
Lifting is such a common activity that we often forget that there is a right way to do it. Anytime you pick up a box or a heavy object—at work or at home—use proper lifting techniques to avoid back injuries:
- Before lifting an object, estimate its weight by tilting it up slowly. If it’s hard to move, it’s too heavy to lift. Get help, or use a lifting aid.
- Get under the load by bending your knees, not your back.
- Keep the object you are lifting as close to your body as possible.
- Never twist your body when you are lifting. Instead, turn your entire body by using your feet.
#3 Three-Point Contact System
Studies show that falls from vehicles produce injuries that are almost 25 percent worse than other types of injuries. The three-point contact system significantly reduces the chance of a slip or fall out of a vehicle.
Essentially, three or your four limbs are to be in contact with the vehicle at all times. Either two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand.
#4 Falling Cargo Safety
Simply opening trailer doors can put an employee at risk of a serious injury. Educate your staff on protecting themselves from falling cargo:
- Make sure all goods are shrink-wrapped, strapped on the pallet or secured to side wall.
- Secure the load using a cargo bar, strapping or webbing.
- Unlock and open one trailer door at a time. Shield yourself from falling cargo by standing behind the door.
- Don’t try to catch falling cargo or boxes.
#5 Injury Reporting Procedure
Require employees to report any and all on-the-job injuries they receive, no matter how minor. Stress that failure to report injuries in a timely matter may result in a loss of workers’ compensation benefits.
If someone is injured at work:
- Report the injury immediately to a supervisor no later than the end of the shirt on which it occurs.
- Complete and sign a Report of Injury or Illness form.
- Save all paperwork received at any resulting medical appointments.
By creating safety diagrams for the above procedures, trucking companies can take a proactive approach toward preventing workplace injuries.