MSHA Job Safety Tips |
|---|
Truck Drivers Vehicle Capabilities
In the last five years, there have been 114 fatalities in the mining industry involving surface haulage.
SEVENTYTHREE of the fatalities, or 64 percent, involved TRUCKS.
Some of the causes of truck accidents have been: loss of control of the vehicle; faulty brakes or other defective equipment; driving too fast for conditions; the truck being overloaded; use of unsafe dumping practices; and use of parking procedures which did not hold the truck.
These types of accidents can occur if an operator is not familiar with the capabilities and limitations of the truck, or doesn't perform a proper preoperation examination.
Another cause of accidents has been persons on foot getting run over by trucks, or pinned between two vehicles.
BEFORE driving a truck a driver should:
- Be familiar with the Manufacturer's Performance Specifications for the truck.
- Know the rated capacity and the proper load height.
- Know the braking capability of equipment:
» Stopping distance;
» Maximum grade; and
» Gear/speed/grade information.
- Be sure to perform preoperation inspection procedures.
- Be aware of whether the vehicle ran normally during the last shift. Are there deficiencies that need to be corrected?
- Be familiar with the maintenance requirements and records. Has the necessary maintenance been performed?
- Be sure you understand the vehicle's instrumentation and gauges, the normal operating ranges, and the alarm conditions.
- Be sure that you are familiar with the controls; controls may differ on each piece of equipment.
- If so equipped, understand the use of electrical retarder systems.
- Be aware of the vehicle's blind spots.
- Check blind spots on walkaround.
- Sound horn and follow established procedures before moving the vehicle.
- Don't park in another vehicle's blind area.
- Know the traffic patterns in use.
- Know safe parking procedures.
Mine Safety and Health Administration