Dependence on Industrial Trucks
Our economy relies significantly on large industrial trucks for transporting essential goods such as fuel, food, beverages, and other supplies. Despite their importance, ensuring safety with large trucks remains a challenge.
On the Road Truck Safety
Long-haul truck drivers cover extensive distances and work long hours. The risks of these long durations and distances contribute to the occurrence of accidents. When a large truck is involved in an accident, the resulting damage and injuries can be severe or even fatal. According to consumernotice.org, large trucks, while only representing four percent of vehicles on the road, are involved in ten percent of highway fatalities. This creates a danger for both truck drivers and occupants of other vehicles.
Common driving risks for long-haul truckers include drowsiness, distractions, and speeding. However, many trucking accidents can be avoided with the following precautions:
- Ensure adequate sleep
- Pull over when feeling drowsy
- Maintain focus on the road
- Adhere to safety laws and pass trucks with caution
- Keep up with truck maintenance
- Buckle up!
Off the Road Truck Safety
Trucking also presents risks off the road. Various situations in the trucking industry can lead to injury or death, particularly around warehouses, work yards, customer sites, or in/near the cab or trailer. Common injuries include:
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Strains and sprains
- Being struck by or against an object
These injuries often result from:
- Overexertion
- Loading/unloading and material handling
- Unsafe exit from the cab or trailer
- Tarping and strapping loads
Proper training and adherence to safety procedures can significantly reduce these risks. If you or someone you know in Washington has been injured as a trucker or by a trucker, consider reaching out to Jacobs and Jacobs Injury Law Group for a complimentary consultation.