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Tipper Truck Safety Measures And Their Importance To Drivers

Tipper trucks are just one of the numerous vehicles employed at a building site that call for particular safety measures because of their special design. 

Although tipper trucks come in a multitude of different shapes and sizes, they have one thing in common: safety should always come first. Even in the best of circumstances, driving these vehicles is hazardous. Tipper trucks are frequently used in various industries and constantly on our roads. They can be extremely dangerous to those working nearby because they’re essentially built for the large tilt tray to flip over and unload tons of trash or other materials.

Although accidents can and do happen, the majority of them can be prevented if those driving tipper trucks observe all safety precautions and use common sense. 

 

1. Ensure the vehicle is well-maintained

Systems fail. Things can seize to function correctly for no particular reason. There will even be times when the parts of the machine will need to be updated or replaced. As such, your tipper truck needs to be in excellent condition to be able to fulfil its purpose,  which is why it’s crucial to perform routine maintenance on it. Remember that there is nothing more dangerous to a driver than a tipper truck that has broken down.

As such, you ought to examine and inspect your truck every day. Examine the pins and bushings, the suspension and lift pistons, and the tire pressure.

 

2. Be on level ground when unloading your truck

When driving a tipper truck, maintaining balance is crucial. Make sure you’re on solid ground before attempting to dump a load. Lifting the bed will make the vehicle less stable, which could lead to it toppling over.

Before unloading:

  • Ensure the vehicle is on level ground.
  • Remember that the longer the truck bed is, the simpler it is to dump.
  • Ensure your truck is on stable, level ground to give it the best chance of remaining upright.

Note that for unloading, tightly compacted gravel or soil works best.

 

3. Ensure the load is distributed evenly

The tipper truck’s load must be positioned in the middle of the vehicle bed rails to improve the balance. As a result, the truck will remain as stable as feasible. The centre of gravity must be balanced to distribute the load across the bed equally.

Finally, check to ensure everything is as level as possible before dumping the cargo because something as minor as lowered tire pressure or a dip in the ground can throw the truck’s balance off.

 

4. Be aware of the signals

As a tipper truck driver, it’s vital that you understand the various signals. There may occasionally be a two-person task, and when those two people are in agreement, these jobs turn out much better for everyone concerned. You probably won’t be using words to communicate if someone is assisting you with driving or unloading the tipper truck; instead, you’ll be using hand gestures. Hence, ensure that you both are fully aware of what each signal signifies.

You can prevent accidents and claims by using proper signalling. As a result, your vehicle insurance will cost less. 

 

5. Check to see if your dump truck is overloaded

Avoid overloading the truck bed – even though it might be enticing to continue piling whatever you’re transporting. This is because an uneven and dangerous load dump can result from an overloaded dump vehicle. Avoid making the truck’s work more difficult than it needs to be.

 

Conclusion

The key to remaining safe is to practice as many safety precautions as possible and use all the available safety equipment. Additionally, don’t become complacent if you haven’t been in an accident in a long time since that’s when most mishaps happen. Workplace safety on a construction site should always takes priority. 

Looking for a way to communicate more efficiently across the industry? JustGo is an online truck booking app that effectively facilitates connections between tipper truck drivers and merchants alike at a touch of a button. Contact us today to learn more!

You can also download our app to get started now!

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