Trucking Unintentional Lowering
Unintentional lowering of a truck body can cause severe injury and even fatality. Injuries can result from not using safety devices, using safety devices that are in poor condition or using improper safety devices for the task.
Hazards of working between the truck body and box:
– Possible pinch point
– The potential for being struck by equipment
– Crushing/amputation hazard present
Safe work practices:
– Do regular inspection and maintenance of parts affecting this area including:
– Hinge pins
– Bushings
– Hoist cylinder
– Structural arms
– Hydraulic hoists (hoses/valves/rings)
– Lift arm support
– Avoid leaving the truck box in the air, putting excess wear on hydraulic equipment
– Always ensure the truck is blocked with an approved device before accessing the area between the truck and bed
– Do any necessary repairs to hydraulic lift cylinders promptly
– When possible do repair work with dump bodies lowered
– If the truck is determined as damaged or defective take it out of service immediately
