Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/661456
VOICES 14 | Overdrive | April 2016 It's no secret that drivers are frequently forced to tarp loads while in unsafe conditions. We are climbing on top of 13-foot-6-inch loads at times. We are told to go to deserted lots off the ship- per's property to tarp the load or go onto public streets to tarp – as shippers try to release themselves of liability. We are exposed to rain, snow, ice, heat and wind while tarping a load. The "Census of Fatal Occupa- tional Injuries" reports 25 deaths a year occur as a result of falls, slips and trips in the trucking industry. Some shippers do furnish equipment and assistance for tarping, which is appreciated. However, they are in a small minority. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has many regulations that are not enforced, and only after an accident does OSHA investigate and fi nd faults. OSHA regulations specify that employers are to provide a "safe workplace." Fall protection is required for diff erent industries at 4-, 5-, 6- and 8-foot heights, and other require- ments are needed at other heights. Employers are to provide equipment for workers who are exposed to work- ing at diff erent heights. All shippers wanting loads tarped should furnish overhead beams and trolleys for secure points to use fall protection equipment – platforms, rolling ladders, horizontal lifelines, fall restraint systems, harnesses, etc. to comply with OSHA standards. Another option could be that materials being shipped are water- proofed with plastic and the driver is furnished with tie-down points to properly secure the load. Then the driver could do what he is paid for: Drive. Be careful. Don't become a statistic this year. – Pete Zimmer, owner-operator leased to Mercer Safe speeds in wet conditions saved operator David Stout from a potential head-on as a four-wheeler lost traction, crossed lanes and ended up with its headlights pointed at Stout, who shared the episode after capturing it via his in-cab video camera. See it, or share your own dashcam adventure, via OverdriveOnline.com/ dashcamcentral. Four-wheeler does a rain dance Tarping safety: regs vs. reality Take extra care when tarping, particularly when it necessitates climbing on top of the load, to prevent falling, slipping or tripping. Though reports at press time showed President Obama proceeding with his appointment of Merrick Garland to replace de- ceased U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Republicans in the Senate appeared to be prepared to delay or reject the presi- dent's appointment in favor of waiting out the election season for the incoming president. A poll of Overdrive readers during the week following Scalia's Feb. 13 death showed a substantial majority favored Obama ceding the nomination opportunity to the next president. Confi rmation of Garland by the Republi- can-controlled Senate is no guarantee, however, as noted some readers. Letting the process play out as it might in any other year in the pre-election months following Garland's nom- ination, with the Senate confi rming or rejecting via hearings and a vote, was the choice of almost four in 10 readers. Readers favor delay in Supreme Court justice replacement Should the nomination/confirmation process for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's replacement proceed before or after this fall's election? OverdriveOnline.com poll Before the election 37% After the election 62% I don't know 1% HIGH COURT HIGH COURT HOT BUTTONS