DAYTON, Ohio -- A Dayton city worker drove his dump truck into a highway overpass, causing quite a mess on Webster Street Tuesday.
Officials said the dump truck was in the up position, and when the driver tried to go under the overpass he did not make it.
The bucket of the dump truck was torn off the vehicle.
The manager of the Sunoco station on Wagner Ford Road heard the collision. Tom Shaqra said, “We heard a big, big noise. He hit the bridge.”
Jerry Walters is a 25-year veteran with the city of Dayton. He was behind the wheel of the dump truck when he hit the overpass.
Walters was injured and taken to Miami Valley Hospital to be checked out for injuries to his arm and head.
Officials with the Ohio Department of Transportation were called to the scene to check the bridge for any structural damage.
The road has since reopened and traffic is back to normal.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Brennan: town learns lesson for mishap that set truck afire
All accidents are avoidable.
At least that’s the axiom First Selectman William Brennan would like to take away from the accident that occurred on Monday, Aug. 10, on School Road.While repaving the last section of School Road, by Comstock Community Center, the large bed of a dump truck accidentally came into contact with an electric cable, causing 13,000 volts to sizzle through the truck, Mr. Brennan said at the Board of Selectmen meeting Monday night.
The truck’s driver, Michael Moran, 31, was able to escape with minor injuries.
Mr. Brennan said that despite the seriousness of the situation, two good things may be taken out of it: Mr. Moran was not seriously injured, and the truck — which was totaled — was 16 years old and nearing the end of its useful life. The truck was also covered by insurance.
“We came very close to having an employee fatality,” Mr. Brennan said.
Mr. Brennan said the town is using the accident as a learning experience.
“This is a wake-up call that everyone’s really got to remain focused” while on the job, Mr. Brennan said, adding that even if employees lose focus for a brief moment, accidents like this could happen.
“It just nicked the tip of the truck, and then ‘Boom!’” Mr. Brennan said. “It’s
At least that’s the axiom First Selectman William Brennan would like to take away from the accident that occurred on Monday, Aug. 10, on School Road.While repaving the last section of School Road, by Comstock Community Center, the large bed of a dump truck accidentally came into contact with an electric cable, causing 13,000 volts to sizzle through the truck, Mr. Brennan said at the Board of Selectmen meeting Monday night.
The truck’s driver, Michael Moran, 31, was able to escape with minor injuries.
Mr. Brennan said that despite the seriousness of the situation, two good things may be taken out of it: Mr. Moran was not seriously injured, and the truck — which was totaled — was 16 years old and nearing the end of its useful life. The truck was also covered by insurance.
“We came very close to having an employee fatality,” Mr. Brennan said.
Mr. Brennan said the town is using the accident as a learning experience.
“This is a wake-up call that everyone’s really got to remain focused” while on the job, Mr. Brennan said, adding that even if employees lose focus for a brief moment, accidents like this could happen.
“It just nicked the tip of the truck, and then ‘Boom!’” Mr. Brennan said. “It’s
Monday, July 27, 2009
New Features Added!
What if there was a simple cost-effective
way to prevent dump truck spills and
collisions that occur when truck boxes
are unknowingly elevated?
There is!
Precision Endgate Safety Inc. proudly introduces what is the
greatest advance in trucking safety to come in 30 years.
Our Dump Truck EndGate Locking System and Elevation Indicator System is potentially life-saving technologies that will:
· Eliminate accidental spills by securing dump truck loads where they belong – behind the tailgate
· Provide a visual and audible warning to drivers unaware the bed of their dump truck, tilt box garbage truck, or lifting flat deck has risen to a potentially deadly position
“A visual or audible warning signal, or both, shall be provided in the cab to indicate when the lifting mechanism, top door covers, body, tilt frame, or tailgate are elevated and would create a hazardous driving condition.”
- ANSI Standard Z245.1-1992, Section 7.1.15.1
ACT NOW and receive the original Dump Truck EndGate Locking System and our new
Elevation Indicator System – a remarkable 2 for 1 offer.
This truly innovative system takes just two hours to install and will put an end to:
· Debris spills that occur when tailgates open accidentally
· Crashes that occur when truck boxes are left up
· Skyrocketing costs related to accident clean-up, fines, and insurance premiums
· Compromised public confidence
way to prevent dump truck spills and
collisions that occur when truck boxes
are unknowingly elevated?
There is!
Precision Endgate Safety Inc. proudly introduces what is the
greatest advance in trucking safety to come in 30 years.
Our Dump Truck EndGate Locking System and Elevation Indicator System is potentially life-saving technologies that will:
· Eliminate accidental spills by securing dump truck loads where they belong – behind the tailgate
· Provide a visual and audible warning to drivers unaware the bed of their dump truck, tilt box garbage truck, or lifting flat deck has risen to a potentially deadly position
“A visual or audible warning signal, or both, shall be provided in the cab to indicate when the lifting mechanism, top door covers, body, tilt frame, or tailgate are elevated and would create a hazardous driving condition.”
- ANSI Standard Z245.1-1992, Section 7.1.15.1
ACT NOW and receive the original Dump Truck EndGate Locking System and our new
Elevation Indicator System – a remarkable 2 for 1 offer.
This truly innovative system takes just two hours to install and will put an end to:
· Debris spills that occur when tailgates open accidentally
· Crashes that occur when truck boxes are left up
· Skyrocketing costs related to accident clean-up, fines, and insurance premiums
· Compromised public confidence
"Driver fatally crushed after box
of garbage truck becomes elevated
during travel and crashes into overpass."
- WorksafeBC incident report says the truck had no audible or visual warning system to warn the driver.
Visit our website at http://www.precisionendgate.com/ Or call 1-877-942-4225
Friday, July 3, 2009
Dump Truck Tip-Overs The Hazard
As end-dump truck bodies and semi-trailer dumping rigs get longer, the incidence of units tipping over has increased. This type of accident is more frequently connected with semi-trailer rigs than with straight trucks.
In the last couple of years, one fatality and at least one serious injury have resulted when dump trucks tipped over. Statistics on the frequency of tip-overs are not available because the occurrences are not reported unless injuries result. However, construction personnel involved in dump truck operations agree that tip-overs are becoming more frequent.
An industry labour-management committee formed to address this problem strongly recommends that the construction and trucking sectors become aware of the hazard, the contributing conditions, and the methods of control set out in this advisory.
Stability
The main hazard is related to the stability of the end-dump unit when the box is in the raised position.
When the centre of gravity of box and load is not roughly between the frame rails of the unit, there is a risk of tip-over (see diagram facing page).
Stability is adversely affected by one or more of the following factors:
the unit is not on a level surface when dumping
a large amount of material is in the upper portion of the raised box
material does not flow out of the top portion of the box, or does not flow out of one side of the top portion
the rear wheels settle unevenly as the load moves to the rear during dumping
wind may exert lateral loads, especially if the box is long, as is the case with end-dump semi-trailers.
In the last couple of years, one fatality and at least one serious injury have resulted when dump trucks tipped over. Statistics on the frequency of tip-overs are not available because the occurrences are not reported unless injuries result. However, construction personnel involved in dump truck operations agree that tip-overs are becoming more frequent.
An industry labour-management committee formed to address this problem strongly recommends that the construction and trucking sectors become aware of the hazard, the contributing conditions, and the methods of control set out in this advisory.
Stability
The main hazard is related to the stability of the end-dump unit when the box is in the raised position.
When the centre of gravity of box and load is not roughly between the frame rails of the unit, there is a risk of tip-over (see diagram facing page).
Stability is adversely affected by one or more of the following factors:
the unit is not on a level surface when dumping
a large amount of material is in the upper portion of the raised box
material does not flow out of the top portion of the box, or does not flow out of one side of the top portion
the rear wheels settle unevenly as the load moves to the rear during dumping
wind may exert lateral loads, especially if the box is long, as is the case with end-dump semi-trailers.
Stability may also be affected by the unit's mechanical condition:
- poor rear suspension systems on one side of the vehicle
- uneven tire pressures in rear wheels
- worn or inadequate components of the lifting system such as pins
- worn or inadequate lifting cylinders.
Hazard Control
Because of stability problems with semi-trailers, they should not be used for haulage to rough grading or fill areas where surfaces are often uneven or loosely compacted. Straight trucks or straight trucks and pup trailers are more appropriate for highway haulage to these dump areas. Where haulage and dumping are all on site, straight trucks or off-highway vehicles are even better choices.
Where aggregates are being spread for road construction, belly-dump semi-trailers are more appropriate than end-dump semi-trailers.
Sometimes vehicle selection is not an option for the contractor. Material suppliers or haulers do not always use equipment appropriate to a particular site. However, when contractors do have a choice they should select equipment in accordance with these recommendations to reduce tip-overs.
Cold weather may cause materials to freeze to the box and stick when dumping. Using heated boxes will reduce the problem. During winter, loads should not be left in dump boxes overnight.
Maintenance
- Check tire pressures daily. Tire pressures should be equal on each side of the vehicle.
- Examine and lubricate pins and bushings regularly.
- Inspect suspension systems under load to ensure that they work properly and provide even suspension. Weak suspension systems should be replaced immediately.
- Inspect hoist cylinders regularly. Worn cylinders should not be replaced with smaller cylinders or with cylinders rated at lower operating pressure.
- Make sure that repairs to boxes leave bottom and sides clear and unrestricted. Rough patchwork repairs near the top of the box can catch and hold sticky materials.
Loading
Loading of the box front-to-back must meet allowable gross weight and axle weight limitations set by the Ministry of Transportation. From side to side it is best to load as evenly as possible.
If material is likely to flow poorly, lighten up the load in the top end of the box. A slightly smaller load will be better than a full load that causes a tip-over.
Box liners will help most materials flow better during dumping. Liners also help to keep the box in good condition.
Dumping
Operators should be trained to recognize areas hazardous to dumping, such as soft or uneven surfaces and inadequately compacted fill.
Before dumping, operators should ensure that the tailgate is unlocked and that the vehicle is on a reasonably level surface. Dumping on surfaces that are not level is one of the main causes of tip-overs.
Before spreading material by dumping it from a moving truck, make sure that the entire length of travel is reasonably level.
Trucks should not dump when they are parked side by side with another vehicle. When a dump unit tips over, it is often the operator in the adjoining vehicle who is injured. Dumping operations should be spread out.
Other personnel such as dozer operators, surveyors, and spotters should be warned not to work near a dumping truck in case it tips over.
Workers on foot should not congregate in areas where dumping is under way.
Construction Safety Association of Ontario
Monday, June 15, 2009
Dump truck safety on and off site
Unloading onto a surface that is not level is the main cause of dump trucks of all types tipping over.
A RISING TREND of accidents with dump trucks around the world has encouraged various national construction organizations to issue general advice about safe use of these machines. This is fully supported by the manufacturers, many of whom encourage customers to undergo training.
The main danger is of the truck tipping over when it is in the active raised position, and the advice applies to dumpers of all types--rigid road-going trucks, semi-trailers, off-road articulated dump trucks (ADTs) and even small site dumpers and appropriately-equipped pick-up trucks and trailers.
The risk comes from the centre of gravity of the loaded dumper or combination being raised beyond a safe level and outside the dimensions of the frame when the load area or 'box' is being prepared for tipping. This situation can arise silently and unexpectedly, especially if the operator has no idea of the weight of material he is handling. And this dangerous condition is particularly likely to be reached if the to-be-dumped material sticks to the top of the load-carrying container.
The problem gets much worse if the dumper is not on a stable level surface when the box is raised, when material flows out unevenly or the rear wheels do not settle evenly as the load is transferred and reduced. These conditions are exacerbated if the suspension system of the dump truck is in poor condition (especially if one side is worse than the other), if the hydraulic lifting cylinder(s) are not working smoothly and properly or if the tire pressures are not matched equally side for side.
To prevent some of these problems developing dump truck load areas should always be emptied out overnight and, if possible, hosed down to prevent sticking of material, too. All mechanical damage that prevents free movement of material in the box should be repaired as soon as it is noticed.
Safe loads
When filling up a dump truck without an onboard load-checking and warning system the operator should always be shown clearly what is an acceptable safe limit for the material being conveyed; remember that wet sand is much heavier than dry, for example. With big machines especially always try to ensure that the box is trimmed side to side as it is loaded so that the weight is continually distributed as evenly as possible.
Pressure should never be put on to the operator or loader to exceed the safe limit; it costs far less to make more delivery trips than to pay for all the costs that a dump truck tip-over will produce--including machine and construction site downtime.
Operators of small multi-purpose dumpers--those based on roadworthy pick-up trucks, for example--often choose to fit load-area liners to their vehicles or tipping trailers. Not only do these keep the machines clean and ready to handle the next job but they can help the material to flow out smoothly and therefore safely, too. These liners can be supplied to fit most of the bigger machines. Many contractors fabricate their own or carry suitable plastic sheeting for use when needed.
When the dump truck driver arrives at the dumping site he should know what he is looking for in terms of a safe area to unload; this is not a job for an unskilled operator. The hand-braked vehicle should be on level ground that is evenly compacted so that the wheels on one side do not sink in. This is especially important if a worked-over landfill site is being used. Inspect the unloading area by walking over it first, especially for voids. Landfill sites are notorious for these.
Unlock the tailgate
Always make sure that the tailgate fastening mechanism is fully unlocked before starting to raise the tipping body; failure to do this could both damage the mechanism and destabilize the tipper. It is common to spread the unloaded material out by driving the vehicle forward with the body raised; this is fine as long as the complete length of straight run is clear. It should be reasonably level too.
It is obvious from the above that maintenance of the dump truck is critical to the safety of the dumping operation. Apart from the points already mentioned operators should make sure that all tire pressures are checked every day, with particular care being taken that they are equal on both sides of the dumper. In the same way the suspension system should be inspected regularly for both adequate performance under load, and for matching from side to side. So should the hydraulic pressure system that operates the box-raising mechanism, with particular attention being paid to the condition of the operating cylinder or cylinders.
Keep the tipper body itself in good clean mechanical condition with all physical damage put right before the machine is put away for the night. Major repairs should be entrusted to a competent welder.
Operating one of these machines is a skilled job which needs both common sense and training as the extent of the risk (and its unseen increase as the box is raised) is not always obvious. And, as with all other types of earthmoving equipment, tired operators are the ones who are most likely to make mistakes.
Experience shows that it is not just the operator of the dump truck who is at risk, however. Other site personnel can get in the way so those working on foot should be warned to keep away both from the dumping site and from the route to it.
Skilled operators also know to make sure they are not required to unload when another earthmoving vehicle is parked or operating alongside as a tipping dumper can cause serious damage to one of these--and to its operation.
2007 Alain Charles Publishing Ltd.
A RISING TREND of accidents with dump trucks around the world has encouraged various national construction organizations to issue general advice about safe use of these machines. This is fully supported by the manufacturers, many of whom encourage customers to undergo training.
The main danger is of the truck tipping over when it is in the active raised position, and the advice applies to dumpers of all types--rigid road-going trucks, semi-trailers, off-road articulated dump trucks (ADTs) and even small site dumpers and appropriately-equipped pick-up trucks and trailers.
The risk comes from the centre of gravity of the loaded dumper or combination being raised beyond a safe level and outside the dimensions of the frame when the load area or 'box' is being prepared for tipping. This situation can arise silently and unexpectedly, especially if the operator has no idea of the weight of material he is handling. And this dangerous condition is particularly likely to be reached if the to-be-dumped material sticks to the top of the load-carrying container.
The problem gets much worse if the dumper is not on a stable level surface when the box is raised, when material flows out unevenly or the rear wheels do not settle evenly as the load is transferred and reduced. These conditions are exacerbated if the suspension system of the dump truck is in poor condition (especially if one side is worse than the other), if the hydraulic lifting cylinder(s) are not working smoothly and properly or if the tire pressures are not matched equally side for side.
To prevent some of these problems developing dump truck load areas should always be emptied out overnight and, if possible, hosed down to prevent sticking of material, too. All mechanical damage that prevents free movement of material in the box should be repaired as soon as it is noticed.
Safe loads
When filling up a dump truck without an onboard load-checking and warning system the operator should always be shown clearly what is an acceptable safe limit for the material being conveyed; remember that wet sand is much heavier than dry, for example. With big machines especially always try to ensure that the box is trimmed side to side as it is loaded so that the weight is continually distributed as evenly as possible.
Pressure should never be put on to the operator or loader to exceed the safe limit; it costs far less to make more delivery trips than to pay for all the costs that a dump truck tip-over will produce--including machine and construction site downtime.
Operators of small multi-purpose dumpers--those based on roadworthy pick-up trucks, for example--often choose to fit load-area liners to their vehicles or tipping trailers. Not only do these keep the machines clean and ready to handle the next job but they can help the material to flow out smoothly and therefore safely, too. These liners can be supplied to fit most of the bigger machines. Many contractors fabricate their own or carry suitable plastic sheeting for use when needed.
When the dump truck driver arrives at the dumping site he should know what he is looking for in terms of a safe area to unload; this is not a job for an unskilled operator. The hand-braked vehicle should be on level ground that is evenly compacted so that the wheels on one side do not sink in. This is especially important if a worked-over landfill site is being used. Inspect the unloading area by walking over it first, especially for voids. Landfill sites are notorious for these.
Unlock the tailgate
Always make sure that the tailgate fastening mechanism is fully unlocked before starting to raise the tipping body; failure to do this could both damage the mechanism and destabilize the tipper. It is common to spread the unloaded material out by driving the vehicle forward with the body raised; this is fine as long as the complete length of straight run is clear. It should be reasonably level too.
It is obvious from the above that maintenance of the dump truck is critical to the safety of the dumping operation. Apart from the points already mentioned operators should make sure that all tire pressures are checked every day, with particular care being taken that they are equal on both sides of the dumper. In the same way the suspension system should be inspected regularly for both adequate performance under load, and for matching from side to side. So should the hydraulic pressure system that operates the box-raising mechanism, with particular attention being paid to the condition of the operating cylinder or cylinders.
Keep the tipper body itself in good clean mechanical condition with all physical damage put right before the machine is put away for the night. Major repairs should be entrusted to a competent welder.
Operating one of these machines is a skilled job which needs both common sense and training as the extent of the risk (and its unseen increase as the box is raised) is not always obvious. And, as with all other types of earthmoving equipment, tired operators are the ones who are most likely to make mistakes.
Experience shows that it is not just the operator of the dump truck who is at risk, however. Other site personnel can get in the way so those working on foot should be warned to keep away both from the dumping site and from the route to it.
Skilled operators also know to make sure they are not required to unload when another earthmoving vehicle is parked or operating alongside as a tipping dumper can cause serious damage to one of these--and to its operation.
2007 Alain Charles Publishing Ltd.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Dump Truck Safety Tip - LOOK UP LOOK OUT BEFORE YOU LIFT YOUR LOAD
In 2006 there were 3 dump truck related deaths in Ontario.
Dump truck drivers and construction workers must ensure they are aware of the location and voltage of overhead powerlines where they are working.
Dump truck drivers and construction workers must ensure they are aware of the location and voltage of overhead powerlines where they are working.
Most overhead powerlines are not insulated. Metal objects that contact these lines become energized to the same voltage as the line. Dump trucks are included. Tires can act as an insulator until they blow. At this time the vehicle and the ground around it will become energized. If tires do not blow drivers should check these for damage.
The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) recommends that drivers and workers maintain a distance of more than 10 feet from powerlines on poles. The Occupational Health & Safety Act & Regulations mandate the safe limits of approach to overhead powerlines based on voltage ratings.
Drivers and workers must be made aware of overhead powerline hazards and know what safe limits of approach to adhere to. Caution should be taken not only when lifting the dump truck box – but also when lowering this to avoid unexpected contact with overhead powerlines.
In the event that your vehicle comes in contact with a powerline – A driver can be electrocuted if he/she attempts to leave the truck. Warn others to Stay Back! If someone were to touch the side of the truck they would be electrocuted by the energized dump truck. In 2006 three people were electrocuted as a result of dump truck contact with a powerline.
In addition the ground around an energized vehicle will carry electricity for up to 35 feet.
In the event of a powerline call 911 or the Local Distribution Company (Electrical Utility) to ensure that power on the powerline is disconnected.
In the event of a powerline call 911 or the Local Distribution Company (Electrical Utility) to ensure that power on the powerline is disconnected.
Click Here for full article
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Canadian invention to improve dump truck safety and save lives in BC and Canada
News Release – For immediate release May 19th 2009 - Contact Mark Deverson 1-877-942-4225
Canadian invention to improve dump truck safety and save lives
A device that could reduce or eliminate accidents and deaths that occur when dump trucks lose their load on roadways has received both Canadian and US patent approval.
Mark Deverson’s invention, the Precision EndGate’s Dump Box Safety System, works by locking a truck’s tailgate in place to ensure cargo does not escape.
It’s a system that could save lives and prevent accidents like the one that recently claimed the
lives of a Toronto couple whose vehicle was struck by a tailgate that flew off a dump truck.
lives of a Toronto couple whose vehicle was struck by a tailgate that flew off a dump truck.
A similar high-profile incident occurred in 2000 when John Morris Rankin, a member of Nova Scotia's famous Rankin Family musical group, plunged into the harbour after swerving to miss a pile of salt left in the middle of the road.
Deverson says the problem of insecure tailgates is prevalent but underreported, with most
companies preferring to keep the issue under wraps.
companies preferring to keep the issue under wraps.
“The issue is only reported when an actual accident happens on a highway, public road or
when there is loss of life,” he says.
when there is loss of life,” he says.
A recent survey of more than 250 businesses across Canada found 61 per cent have an
issue with inattentive employees’ accidently dumping partial loads and 44 per cent reported
having an issue in the last year.
issue with inattentive employees’ accidently dumping partial loads and 44 per cent reported
having an issue in the last year.
“What this tells us is that accidents or near-misses with the potential for loss of life are
happening every day across North America,” Deverson says. “My goal is to make this
system mandatory on all dump trucks and trailers which will provide safer roads for all
Canadians.”
happening every day across North America,” Deverson says. “My goal is to make this
system mandatory on all dump trucks and trailers which will provide safer roads for all
Canadians.”
Deverson is speaking with local and federal representatives about this issue and how it
relates to the National Safety Code for Motor Carriers Standard 10 (Cargo Securement).
relates to the National Safety Code for Motor Carriers Standard 10 (Cargo Securement).
“Our vision at Precision EndGate Safety is to have our Dump Box Safety System installed on every dump truck and trailer in Canada and the US. As a result, this installation will stop accidental dumping and protect life.”
For more information you can visit http://www.precisionendgate.com or reach Mark
Deverson at 1-877-942-4225.
Deverson at 1-877-942-4225.
-30-
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Are Dump Trucks Safe to Drive Behind?
By Anne -Rachelle McHugh
It’s difficult to imagine a construction site or maintenance yard without them. Dump trucks, used to transport everything from gravel and sand to the salt that takes the slick from our streets, are everywhere.
But are these monster machines safe to drive behind? And can we be assured their heavy loads will stay where they’re meant to be – inside the dump box and held securely in place by the tailgate/end gate.
A quick google search reveals an unsettling number of accidents and near misses that occur when dump truck lose their load on neighbourhood roads and highways. What results can range from inconvenient to tragic.
Here are just a few examples:
A Bellingham woman sustained an eye injury and was taken to hospital after pea gravel from a dump truck shattered the right front passenger window of the pickup truck she was a passenger in. Two lanes of freeway traffic were closed while the loose debris was cleared from the road.
In Baltimore, a dump truck spilled asphalt on an Anne Arudel County road, delaying school buses and commuters throughout the morning while parts of Interstate 97 and Route 100 were closed.
Heavy gravel fell from the back of a dump truck, leaving police to deal with traffic and a mess strewn along a 100’ stretch of the East Falmouth Highway in Massachusetts. Police were eventually able to intercept the dump truck just west of the spill scene as it sat in traffic unaware of the mess left behind. The driver secured the tailgate and returned to the spill site to clean up.
A mound of road salt the width of a single lane may have been a factor in the death of musician John Morris Rankin, an internationally known Celtic musician, and member of the Rankins music group. Investigators believe Rankin swerved to avoid the salt and lost control of the truck, which plunged over a 25-metre cliff into the Atlantic Ocean near Margaree Harbour, Nova Scotia.
The experts speak
Dennis Bishop, a foreman with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Highway Maintenance Station, says the switch controlling a dump truck’s end gate can be easily bumped.
“The gate release is often located next to the jake brake switch and that leads to the obvious,” Bishop said. “A small mistake on a switch and the load is dumped on the highway. Switches located between seats on consoles, or even mounted on dump levers, can also get accidently bumped. This can be done reaching for a hard hat, coffee or a snack.”
Bishop says truck drivers often continue driving for miles, unaware their load is pouring out. Some never know.
“I know of a load of cold mix that was hauled 100 miles one way and lost,” he said. “I have seen several spills that really made a mess of things. A 10-yard-dump truck is bad, but a 20-yard belly dump is even worse.”
Frank Wilson is a former truck driver now working as environmental health and safety coordinator for PolyCello Packaging. Wilson remembers two occasions when his tailgate opened.
“The first instance caused no harm. It was on a gravel road and it spread out nicely and was left at that. The second instance, a car was following and we had to replace the rad, windshield and paint the car – not so cheap. In both instances, I was hauling 3/4 clear stone. Had it been larger gravel or stone it would have been worse.”
Spills cause more than a mess
Public safety isn’t the only thing compromised when a dump truck loses all or part of its loads. Dump truck owners and employers must absorb direct and indirect costs associated with spills including:
Clean-up costs and related fines
Expenses related to the repair/replacement of damaged property, vehicles, equipment and roads
Fines, lawsuits and increased workers’ insurance costs
Time delays and lost productivity
Declining staff morale and public confidence
Possible remedies
Trucks lose their load everyday in cities throughout North America and while most incidents go unreported, others take a serious toll. Some companies deal with the issue by increasing awareness of the problem among workers. Others use a combination of training and chaining to ensure loads remain secure.
Another solution, newly available, is the Dump Box Safety System developed by Precision Endgate Safety. The recently patented system makes it impossible for drivers to “accidentally” trip the switch that opens the tailgate.
“The dump box safety system overrides the locking mechanism so a driver can’t accidentally flip the switch while reaching for coffee or changing gears,” says company president Mark Deverson.
Deverson says the tailgate will only unlock after the box rises one inch and to lift the box a driver must stop the truck, put the transmission or PTO (power take off) in neutral, and raise the box.
“So if you’re driving down the road and hit the switch nothing will happen because you haven’t raised the box.”
In Castlegar, BC, West-K Concrete owner Paul Adrian has installed the Precision Dump Box Safety System on one truck in his small fleet. He says he is pleased with the safeguard and is considering installation of the product on his other trucks.
Adrian says he considers himself lucky that no serious accidents have occurred over the years.
“We replaced a few windshields and repainted a few cars over the years,” he admits.
Visit http://www.precisionendgate.com/ for more information on the dump truck safety system.
-
Anne-Rachelle McHugh
Freelance Writer & Journalist
http://www.writearm.ca/
It’s difficult to imagine a construction site or maintenance yard without them. Dump trucks, used to transport everything from gravel and sand to the salt that takes the slick from our streets, are everywhere.
But are these monster machines safe to drive behind? And can we be assured their heavy loads will stay where they’re meant to be – inside the dump box and held securely in place by the tailgate/end gate.
A quick google search reveals an unsettling number of accidents and near misses that occur when dump truck lose their load on neighbourhood roads and highways. What results can range from inconvenient to tragic.
Here are just a few examples:
A Bellingham woman sustained an eye injury and was taken to hospital after pea gravel from a dump truck shattered the right front passenger window of the pickup truck she was a passenger in. Two lanes of freeway traffic were closed while the loose debris was cleared from the road.
In Baltimore, a dump truck spilled asphalt on an Anne Arudel County road, delaying school buses and commuters throughout the morning while parts of Interstate 97 and Route 100 were closed.
Heavy gravel fell from the back of a dump truck, leaving police to deal with traffic and a mess strewn along a 100’ stretch of the East Falmouth Highway in Massachusetts. Police were eventually able to intercept the dump truck just west of the spill scene as it sat in traffic unaware of the mess left behind. The driver secured the tailgate and returned to the spill site to clean up.
A mound of road salt the width of a single lane may have been a factor in the death of musician John Morris Rankin, an internationally known Celtic musician, and member of the Rankins music group. Investigators believe Rankin swerved to avoid the salt and lost control of the truck, which plunged over a 25-metre cliff into the Atlantic Ocean near Margaree Harbour, Nova Scotia.
The experts speak
Dennis Bishop, a foreman with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Highway Maintenance Station, says the switch controlling a dump truck’s end gate can be easily bumped.
“The gate release is often located next to the jake brake switch and that leads to the obvious,” Bishop said. “A small mistake on a switch and the load is dumped on the highway. Switches located between seats on consoles, or even mounted on dump levers, can also get accidently bumped. This can be done reaching for a hard hat, coffee or a snack.”
Bishop says truck drivers often continue driving for miles, unaware their load is pouring out. Some never know.
“I know of a load of cold mix that was hauled 100 miles one way and lost,” he said. “I have seen several spills that really made a mess of things. A 10-yard-dump truck is bad, but a 20-yard belly dump is even worse.”
Frank Wilson is a former truck driver now working as environmental health and safety coordinator for PolyCello Packaging. Wilson remembers two occasions when his tailgate opened.
“The first instance caused no harm. It was on a gravel road and it spread out nicely and was left at that. The second instance, a car was following and we had to replace the rad, windshield and paint the car – not so cheap. In both instances, I was hauling 3/4 clear stone. Had it been larger gravel or stone it would have been worse.”
Spills cause more than a mess
Public safety isn’t the only thing compromised when a dump truck loses all or part of its loads. Dump truck owners and employers must absorb direct and indirect costs associated with spills including:
Clean-up costs and related fines
Expenses related to the repair/replacement of damaged property, vehicles, equipment and roads
Fines, lawsuits and increased workers’ insurance costs
Time delays and lost productivity
Declining staff morale and public confidence
Possible remedies
Trucks lose their load everyday in cities throughout North America and while most incidents go unreported, others take a serious toll. Some companies deal with the issue by increasing awareness of the problem among workers. Others use a combination of training and chaining to ensure loads remain secure.
Another solution, newly available, is the Dump Box Safety System developed by Precision Endgate Safety. The recently patented system makes it impossible for drivers to “accidentally” trip the switch that opens the tailgate.
“The dump box safety system overrides the locking mechanism so a driver can’t accidentally flip the switch while reaching for coffee or changing gears,” says company president Mark Deverson.
Deverson says the tailgate will only unlock after the box rises one inch and to lift the box a driver must stop the truck, put the transmission or PTO (power take off) in neutral, and raise the box.
“So if you’re driving down the road and hit the switch nothing will happen because you haven’t raised the box.”
In Castlegar, BC, West-K Concrete owner Paul Adrian has installed the Precision Dump Box Safety System on one truck in his small fleet. He says he is pleased with the safeguard and is considering installation of the product on his other trucks.
Adrian says he considers himself lucky that no serious accidents have occurred over the years.
“We replaced a few windshields and repainted a few cars over the years,” he admits.
Visit http://www.precisionendgate.com/ for more information on the dump truck safety system.
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Anne-Rachelle McHugh
Freelance Writer & Journalist
http://www.writearm.ca/
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Dump truck crushes and kills Illinois teen
(WANE) - A 13 year-old southern Illinois boy was killed on Saturday in a bizarre accident involving a dump truck.
Saint Clair County sheriffs say Ryan Hennemann was helping to unload gravel from the back of the dump truck when it somehow tipped over and crushed him.
Investigators say the driver of the truck stopped when the gravel began shifting. He then offered to pay Ryan and a friend to help dump some of the gravel near a pile of rocks.
Friends say Ryan was on his way to see a girlfriend at the time.
Friends say Ryan was on his way to see a girlfriend at the time.
The truck driver was taken into custody due to a suspended license and an outstanding warrant from California. Police did not say if charges would be filed against him for the accident that killed Ryan.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Insecure tailgates, preventable but underreported in Canada and North America
Mark Deverson says the problem of insecure tailgates is prevalent but underreported, with most companies preferring to keep the issue under wraps.
“The issue is only reported when an actual accident happens on a highway, public road or when there is loss of life,” he says.
A recent survey of more than 250 businesses across Canada found 61 per cent have an issue with inattentive employees’ accidently dumping partial loads and 44 per cent reported having an issue in the last year.
“What this tells us is that accidents or near-misses with the potential for loss of life are happening every day across North America,” Deverson says.
“My goal is to make this system mandatory on all dump trucks and trailers which will provide safer roads for all Canadians.”
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Mark Deverson
PresidentPrecision Endgate Safety Inc.
Phone: 1-877-942-4225
Fax: 1-866-278-8735
Email: mark@precisionendgate.com
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Dump Truck Safety Tip - Dump your Load Safely
Dump your Load Safely
Dumping:
-Operators should be trained to recognize areas hazardous to dumping, such as soft or uneven surfaces and inadequately compacted fill.
-Before dumping, operators should ensure that the tailgate is unlocked and that the vehicle is on a reasonably level surface. Dumping on surfaces that are not level is one of the main causes of tip-overs.
-Before spreading material by dumping it from a moving truck, make sure that the entire length of travel is reasonably level.
-Trucks should not dump when they are parked side by side with another vehicle. When a dump unit tips over, it is often the operator in the adjoining vehicle who is injured. Dumping operations should be spread out.
-Other personnel such as dozer operators, surveyors, and spotters should be warned not to work near a dumping truck in case it tips over.
-Workers on foot should not congregate in areas where dumping is under way.
Dumping:
-Operators should be trained to recognize areas hazardous to dumping, such as soft or uneven surfaces and inadequately compacted fill.
-Before dumping, operators should ensure that the tailgate is unlocked and that the vehicle is on a reasonably level surface. Dumping on surfaces that are not level is one of the main causes of tip-overs.
-Before spreading material by dumping it from a moving truck, make sure that the entire length of travel is reasonably level.
-Trucks should not dump when they are parked side by side with another vehicle. When a dump unit tips over, it is often the operator in the adjoining vehicle who is injured. Dumping operations should be spread out.
-Other personnel such as dozer operators, surveyors, and spotters should be warned not to work near a dumping truck in case it tips over.
-Workers on foot should not congregate in areas where dumping is under way.
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Mark Deverson
President
Precision Endgate Safety Inc.
Phone: 1-877-942-4225
Fax: 1-866-278-8735
Email: mark@precisionendgate.com
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Dump truck driver dies in gravel pit accident in New Brunswick Canada
Last Updated: Friday, February 6, 2009 10:35 AM AT from CBC News
A 37-year-old dump truck driver is dead following an industrial accident in east Saint John on Thursday.
The Saint John Police and WorkSafeNB, the provincial organization that investigates workplace accidents, are looking into the death of Robert Beaulieu of the Kingston Peninsula who was killed at a gravel pit off Grandview Avenue at about 2 p.m.
Geoff Britt, a spokesman for J.D. Irving Ltd., the company that owns the gravel pit, said Beaulieu had worked for J.D. Irving's Gulf Operators Ltd. for about five years.
“All I know is he was in the process of unloading the material from his dump truck when the accident occurred," Britt said.
"It's very sad. Everybody's just devastated by it."
Police and safety investigators remained on the scene for several hours on Thursday. No other details are being released.
"We're co-operating fully with WorkSafe New Brunswick in investigating to determine the cause of this tragic accident,” Britt said.
“The driver's been employed for quite some time and we're just feeling terrible about it. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends and co-workers at this difficult time."
-
Mark Deverson
President
Precision Endgate Safety Inc.
Phone: 1-877-942-4225
Fax: 1-866-278-8735
Email: mark@precisionendgate.com
http://www.precisionendgate.com/
A 37-year-old dump truck driver is dead following an industrial accident in east Saint John on Thursday.
The Saint John Police and WorkSafeNB, the provincial organization that investigates workplace accidents, are looking into the death of Robert Beaulieu of the Kingston Peninsula who was killed at a gravel pit off Grandview Avenue at about 2 p.m.
Geoff Britt, a spokesman for J.D. Irving Ltd., the company that owns the gravel pit, said Beaulieu had worked for J.D. Irving's Gulf Operators Ltd. for about five years.
“All I know is he was in the process of unloading the material from his dump truck when the accident occurred," Britt said.
"It's very sad. Everybody's just devastated by it."
Police and safety investigators remained on the scene for several hours on Thursday. No other details are being released.
"We're co-operating fully with WorkSafe New Brunswick in investigating to determine the cause of this tragic accident,” Britt said.
“The driver's been employed for quite some time and we're just feeling terrible about it. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends and co-workers at this difficult time."
-
Mark Deverson
President
Precision Endgate Safety Inc.
Phone: 1-877-942-4225
Fax: 1-866-278-8735
Email: mark@precisionendgate.com
http://www.precisionendgate.com/
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Traffic trouble at Five Corners - Truck's tail gate accident on Beach Road
A work crew cleans up debris strewn along Beach Road and State Road when a dump truck's tailgate opened unexpectedly. The incident was one of three mishaps that delayed traffic at Five Corners in Vineyard Haven Friday, March 7th 2008
Traffic delays worthy of an August afternoon tied up the Five Corners intersection in Vineyard Haven Friday, March 7, when three separate incidents in about 15 minutes delayed motorists.
About 9:15 am, police responded to a minor accident on Beach Road, just outside the intersection. After a record check, police determined the license of one of the drivers, Denamos Moore, was revoked because of an insurance cancellation. Mr. Moore was arrested and transported to the Dukes County Jail for booking. The other driver, Lawrence Yorke, was not cited.
While the first fender-bender was being cleared, a truck owned by Clermont Construction, and driven by George Hearn, began strewing excavation debris along the roadway. The truck's tailgate opened on Beach Road near the Ralph Packer oil tank farm, and dropped gravel and large rocks from there, through Five Corners, and up Beach Street, before stopping in a parking lot at the corner of Main Street. Mr. Hearn was cited for transporting an unsecured load, and could be fined up to $200.
A front-end loader was called in to help clear the debris from the road, but before that was cleaned up, another minor accident on the opposite side of the Five Corners intersection required a police response.
Michael Sedlier of Oak Bluffs, who was driving a tractor and semi-trailer, was involved in a collision with a pick-up truck driven by Gregory Whitmore of West Tisbury.
There was minor damage to the pick-up. Neither driver was cited. Police say the gravel in the roadway did not contribute to third incident.
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Mark Deverson
President
Precision Endgate Safety Inc.
Phone: 1-877-942-4225
Fax: 1-866-278-8735
Email: mark@precisionendgate.com
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Company Owner Dies In Construction Truck Accident
In doing some research for Precision Endgate I came across this interesting article.
People just do not seem to realize how dangerous an endgate problems can be.
Mark
By Nick Miroff
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, August 31, 2006;
Page B05
An Alexandria man working on the Springfield interchange project was killed yesterday after being hit in the chest by a board that he had wedged between two dump trucks, police and construction officials said.
Julio Alvarez Rodriguez, 43, owner of Julio's Trucking in Alexandria, was trying to haul debris away from the construction site, said Larry Cloyed, manager of the interchange project for the Virginia Department of Transportation. The tailgate on Rodriguez's truck would not shut properly, so he tried to close it by placing a three-foot-long piece of thick wood against the gate while another truck backed up against it.
"The lumber either snapped or flung out loose," Cloyed said. "With all that pressure, it came out like a missile and killed him."
The accident occurred at 7:20 a.m. in the construction area between Interstate 395 and the carpool lanes at the Mixing Bowl, Virginia State Police said. Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene.
"The force of the [board] caused major injuries in his chest area," Sgt. Thomas Ingham said. Police ruled out criminal negligence or wrongdoing in Rodriguez's death, and an autopsy will be conducted, Ingham said.
Rodriguez was a native of Honduras, Ingham said. Efforts to contact his family and his company were unsuccessful.
Rodriguez was the fifth worker to be killed at the Springfield site since construction began in 1999. The $676 million project, designed to ease congestion at one of the region's most troubled traffic spots, is expected to be completed late next summer. Ninety to 120 people work at the site on any given day.
The most recent fatal accident at the site occurred in April 2005, when Darren Havermale, 35, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., was caught between a steel beam and a lift basket, or cherry picker, and suffered a broken neck.
In 2002, the Virginia Department of Labor shut down construction on the project for four days to conduct a safety review after the deaths of three workers in nine months.
Safety has improved, Cloyed said, but five deaths in seven years is "not a good record, in my eyes."
Investigators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were on the scene yesterday, as were safety inspectors from VDOT and the interchange project. Cloyed said yesterday's incident was a clear departure from approved construction practices.
"It's frustrating when you have a tragedy of this nature that could have been so easily prevented," he said.
"The best lesson learned from this is that the word needs to get out to the trucking community," Cloyed said. "If you have a loose tailgate, this is not the way to fix the problem."
VDOT spokeswoman Joan Morris said the accident muted the excitement generated by last week's opening of a ramp linking I-395 to the inner loop of the Capital Beltway.
"We made a major improvement last week when we opened a new bridge," she said, "and now, the next week, we're dealing with a tragic fatality."
Mark Deverson
President
Precision Endgate Safety Inc.
Phone: 1-877-942-4225
Fax: 1-866-278-8735
Email: mark@precisionendgate.com
http://www.precisionendgate.com/
People just do not seem to realize how dangerous an endgate problems can be.
Mark
By Nick Miroff
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, August 31, 2006;
Page B05
An Alexandria man working on the Springfield interchange project was killed yesterday after being hit in the chest by a board that he had wedged between two dump trucks, police and construction officials said.
Julio Alvarez Rodriguez, 43, owner of Julio's Trucking in Alexandria, was trying to haul debris away from the construction site, said Larry Cloyed, manager of the interchange project for the Virginia Department of Transportation. The tailgate on Rodriguez's truck would not shut properly, so he tried to close it by placing a three-foot-long piece of thick wood against the gate while another truck backed up against it.
"The lumber either snapped or flung out loose," Cloyed said. "With all that pressure, it came out like a missile and killed him."
The accident occurred at 7:20 a.m. in the construction area between Interstate 395 and the carpool lanes at the Mixing Bowl, Virginia State Police said. Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene.
"The force of the [board] caused major injuries in his chest area," Sgt. Thomas Ingham said. Police ruled out criminal negligence or wrongdoing in Rodriguez's death, and an autopsy will be conducted, Ingham said.
Rodriguez was a native of Honduras, Ingham said. Efforts to contact his family and his company were unsuccessful.
Rodriguez was the fifth worker to be killed at the Springfield site since construction began in 1999. The $676 million project, designed to ease congestion at one of the region's most troubled traffic spots, is expected to be completed late next summer. Ninety to 120 people work at the site on any given day.
The most recent fatal accident at the site occurred in April 2005, when Darren Havermale, 35, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., was caught between a steel beam and a lift basket, or cherry picker, and suffered a broken neck.
In 2002, the Virginia Department of Labor shut down construction on the project for four days to conduct a safety review after the deaths of three workers in nine months.
Safety has improved, Cloyed said, but five deaths in seven years is "not a good record, in my eyes."
Investigators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were on the scene yesterday, as were safety inspectors from VDOT and the interchange project. Cloyed said yesterday's incident was a clear departure from approved construction practices.
"It's frustrating when you have a tragedy of this nature that could have been so easily prevented," he said.
"The best lesson learned from this is that the word needs to get out to the trucking community," Cloyed said. "If you have a loose tailgate, this is not the way to fix the problem."
VDOT spokeswoman Joan Morris said the accident muted the excitement generated by last week's opening of a ramp linking I-395 to the inner loop of the Capital Beltway.
"We made a major improvement last week when we opened a new bridge," she said, "and now, the next week, we're dealing with a tragic fatality."
Mark Deverson
President
Precision Endgate Safety Inc.
Phone: 1-877-942-4225
Fax: 1-866-278-8735
Email: mark@precisionendgate.com
http://www.precisionendgate.com/
Monday, February 23, 2009
What Is a Box Truck?
There are many manufacturers of box trucks for the US market. While there are differences in each model, box trucks do have many similarities:
- Box trucks have separate, box-like cargo areas that sit on the frame.
The box on some trucks is completely separate from the cab. The cargo area of those trucks cannot be accessed from the cab. - Some box trucks have a cargo area that is grafted to the cab. In such cases, the cargo area may be accessed from the cab.
- Most box trucks have a roll-up rear door that is similar to a garage door.
- Box trucks are generally used by companies that need to haul large items such as furniture, appliances, and large boxes.
- Box trucks are very common. You probably see them every day. They are frequently used as rental moving vans by companies like U-Haul and Ryder.
- Box trucks are not all large. They come in all sizes.
Given the size and nature of box trucks, there may be a number of ways in which a serious injury can result due to negligent actions on the part of the operator.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Road salt likely factor in Rankin fatality
In doing some research for Precision Endgate we came upon this accident from January 16th 2000 where a large amount of salt came out the end of a tail gate causing an accident.
Mark Deverson
RCMP probing crash; By Tera Camus / Cape Breton Bureau
Whale Cove - Road salt may have been a factor in the death Sunday of musician John Morris Rankin.
Mark Deverson
RCMP probing crash; By Tera Camus / Cape Breton Bureau
Whale Cove - Road salt may have been a factor in the death Sunday of musician John Morris Rankin.
Salt spilled by a provincial Transportation Department truck left a large, unexpected bump on Route 219 moments before the internationally known Celtic musician and member of the Rankins approached in his sports utility vehicle. Mr. Rankin was on his way to Cheticamp to attend a hockey tournament.
"There was certainly a mound or pile of salt . . . and from talking to our staff, this seemed to be a little bigger ... (than) the ordinary," department spokesman Chris Welner said.
The mound, less than a third of a metre high and as wide as a single lane, created a speed bump in the 80 km/h zone. It's believed Mr. Rankin swerved to avoid the bump, then lost control of the truck, which plunged over a 25-metre cliff into the Atlantic Ocean near Margaree Harbour.
Mr. Rankin's three passengers, including his son, Michael, 15, managed to escape the overturned, submerged vehicle. Michael was the first one to make it up the cliff and he flagged down a passing car. He and two 14-year-old boys were later treated for hypothermia and released from hospital.
Inverness RCMP are looking into whether the excessive salt on the road caused the crash. The roads were also snow-covered and icy at the time of the 7:30 a.m. accident.
"That's still under investigation, and I do not have much comment," Const. Sheldon Miller said.
"That's still under investigation, and I do not have much comment," Const. Sheldon Miller said.
"It's sad . . . probably one of the hardest (investigations) I've had to do," Const. Miller said. "The boys were lucky" to survive.
Mr. Welner said the department is working with the RCMP to determine whether the salt was a factor.
"Right now, we don't have all the facts but we're helping gather the facts and helping the police with their work," Mr. Welner said.
The department isn't going to introduce any changes to the way it clears the highway of snow and ice, Mr. Welner told CBC Radio's afternoon show in Sydney.
"Every day (the drivers) go out and go out as well-trained officers who do a very difficult job in very difficult conditions," he said.
Mr. Rankin, who lived in Judique, played fiddle and piano for 10 years in the popular Celtic pop band that included sisters Raylene, Cookie and Heather and brother Jimmy. Last fall, the Juno award-winning group broke up to pursue solo careers. At the time, Mr. Rankin said he was interested in spending more time at home with his wife, Sally, his son and daughter Molly, 13.
No autopsy will be performed. Police cannot say whether he died from injuries suffered in the crash or drowned. His funeral is set for Thursday at 2 p.m. at St. Mary's Church in Mabou
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