Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
must.be.compatible.with.the.load.and.driving.conditions..Suspension.and.coupling.
ratings.for.the.vehicle.shall.be.appropriate.for.the.load.
When.a.trailer.is.being.loaded.with.mixed.cargo,.heavier.articles.should.be.loaded.
on.the.bottom..Check.to.see.that.heavy.articles.are.not.offset.to.one.side.of.the.trailer..
When. driving. with. heavy. or. high. loads,. drivers. should. use. reduced. speeds.. Road.
advisory.signs.for.curve.speed.normally.do.not.apply.to.heavily.loaded.commercial.
vehicles..Go.slower..Drivers.never.know.when.they.may.have.to.make.an.emergency.
lane.change..Also,.be.aware.when.trailer.wheels.are.off.track;.they.may.collide.with.
curbs,.or.track.onto.unimproved.shoulders..Both.can.lead.to.the.loss.of.control.when.
the.vehicle.is.heavily.loaded..It.is.critical.to.know.vehicle.height.and.plan.your.route.
so.that.low.bridges.do.not.become.a.surprise..When.picking.up.a.sealed.trailer,.the.
driver.should.ind.out.the.load's.characteristics.
l
oAD
s
ECuring
s
AfEty
Loads.that.break.loose.on.the.road.can.create.control.dificulties.for.the.driver.and.
present.a.hazard.for.other.drivers..Shifting.cargo.can.cause.loss.of.control.and.truck.
rollover..Drivers.must.check.to.make.sure.that.the.lading.has.been.properly.secured..
Periodically.check.to.see.that.bracing.and.tie-downs.are.still.intact.and.that.the.load.
has. not. shifted.. Some. loads,. cargo,. or. lading,. such. as. liquids. in. tanks. or. portable.
tanks,. have. a. tendency. to. shift;. drivers. should. operate. at. reduced. speeds. during.
turns.or.braking.to.guard.against.loss.of.control..Pay.particular.attention.to.bracing.
and.tie-downs.when.picking.up.unusual.loads..Drivers.should.satisfy.themselves.that.
loading.personnel.have.done.their.job.properly.
mAIntenAnce
Maintenance. crews. should. use. established. company. and. industry. guidelines. to.
determine.whether.components.should.be.returned.to.service..They.need.to.deter-
mine. cause. of. damage. or. deterioration.. Such. analysis. may. help. identify. improper.
use.of.machinery,.or.faulty.maintenance.procedures,.which.should.be.corrected..All.
maintenance.or.repairs.for.each.vehicle.should.be.documented.on.a.separate.main-
tenance.reporting.form.
Never.allow.any.vehicle.that.is.not.roadworthy.to.leave.the.maintenance.facility..
Such.vehicles.should.be.locked.out.and.tagged.out.to.prevent.their.use.
mAnAgement resPonsIBIlIty
Management's.responsibility.is.to.establish.inspection.and.reporting.procedures.for.
drivers.. It. must. ensure. compliance. with. state,. federal,. and. industry. rules.. Its. job.
is.to.select.drivers.and.provide.them.with.adequate.training.for.inspecting.critical.
components.and.to.determine.whether.their.vehicle.will.be.safe.while.on.the.road..
Management.must.enforce.both.driver.inspection.and.maintenance.policies..It.must.
see.to.it.that.maintenance.personnel.are.responsive.to.driver-reported.deiciencies,.
and.it.must.establish.company.standards.for.placing.vehicles.out.of.service..It.must.
