Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/320559
Hauling headaches Know your load limits when trailering equipment Information for this Safety Watch is from an accident report, the Center for Disease Control's NIOSH Fatality and Control Evaluation program and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Rules and Regulations Part 393. It is meant for general information only. The accident: A driver was transport- ing a wheel loader weighing approxi- mately 65,000 pounds on a lowboy trailer, secured by four 3/8- inch chains. During transport, the driver was forced to stop suddenly. The chains broke, allowing the loader to roll for- ward, over the fifth wheel and onto the top of the truck cab, crushing the cab and killing the driver. The bottom line: A post-accident inves- tigation determined the load exceeded the aggregate work- ing load limit of the chains used in the tiedown assembly, which were rated at 6,600 pounds. Fur- thermore, at least one chain was improperly attached to the loader, and another was improperly at- tached to the trailer bed, using the trailer deck instead of the trailer's "D" rings. Failure to properly secure the loader allowed for both longitudinal (forward/backward) and lateral (side-to-side) move- ment, enabling the machine to roll over the truck's cab. Know the load limits – Although sometimes traffic accidents cannot be prevented, properly secur- ing trailered equipment can help ensure you and other drivers are not injured in the event of a traffic problem. Before you transport a piece of equipment, find out the working load limit of your tiedown as- sembly. This indicates the lowest working load limit of the entire assembly, including the associated connector or attachment mecha- nism and the anchor points, not just the chain itself. The WLL will be marked on the tie down material, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration tables can also be used. The aggregate working load limit must be at least 1/2 times the weight of the article. In this ac- cident, the tiedowns used had a combined WLL of 26,400 pounds; meaning the load could not have weighed more than 52,800 pounds and be transported safely. Tiedown tips – Once you know your tiedown assembly is properly rated for your load, you still must take additional steps to secure the machine on the trailer bed. Com- pletely lower any attachments and secure them to the trailer, and en- sure that articulated machines are prevented from articulating while in transit. The trailer's "D" rings are designed to minimize chain slack and reduce the possibility of load movement. Closely examine the equipment you're transporting for readily identifiable attachment points for the tiedown assembly. If none can be found, your supervi- sor should contact the manufac- turer for recommended attachment points. Always remember, the entire tiedown assembly is only as strong as its weakest component. safety watch | by Amy Materson | AMaterson@randallreilly.com EquipmentWorld.com | June 2014 37 Date of safety talk: Leader: _____________________ Attending: Illustration by Don Lomax