Liftgate Safety
At one time, unloading a trailer meant a truck driver had to access deliveries from a side bay and load each item onto a car or use narrow and unstable ramps with hand trucks. Both of these options are time-consuming and hazardous to the driver’s physical well being and safety.
Today, thanks to powered lift gates, unloading a trailer is much more accessible than in previous years. Of course, getting the most value out of a lift gate means using it safely. Explore some safety guidelines and the benefits of following them.
Training for Safe Operations
Not surprisingly, each type of liftgate has its safety guidelines. There’s no one size fits all instruction booklet. Training videos effectively teach drivers the safe and proper way to operate the liftgate on their trailer. Manuals on safe operation are also useful in helping drivers learn about this equipment. Videos and manuals should be accessible to drivers to consult them when necessary.
These instructional resources convey information about the load capacity, how to secure items on the platform, where pinch-points are located, and much more.
It’s worth a company’s time and effort to ensure all drivers understand and practice proper liftgate safety.
A Reminder Sticker
In addition to training videos and manuals, it’s essential to have a safety sticker placed on the trailer itself near the gate. These decals demonstrate the proper use of a liftgate. Liftgate manufacturers provide these and update them if any changes are made.
The Effects of Accidents
Training drivers on the safe operation of a lift gate can help prevent accidents that result in injury or even death. Along with the bodily injury, accidents cause loss of work hours and hurt a company’s bottom line. This is more than enough reason to make safe operation a priority.
Finally, training truck drivers on liftgate safety should not be a one-time occurrence. Refreshing them on safe operation practices each year benefits drivers, trucking companies, and the public.
Craftsmen has helped many of our customers train on lift gate safety. We strongly encourage setting up a customized safety training program that is specific to your organization’s practices and we can help you set that up!
