At Louisville Switching, we understand the importance of keeping your workers, drivers, equipment, and yard safe. Ensuring proper safety measures are implemented and followed by all is a top priority, which ultimately falls back on having everyone who operates or works in the yard having adequate safety training. Keep reading to learn how prioritizing safety procedures and training can help ensure safer drivers, as well as a safer yard operation. 

Keeping Other Drivers Safe

The most common hazard in the operation of yard trucks is the danger of accidents occurring with other drivers and/or staff in the yard. As a driver, it is your responsibility to be aware of your position in the yard and the location of other workers off- and on-foot at all times. On top of standard safety equipment, such as bright lights, fluorescent gear, and safety cones, numerous safety zones are established and used as precautions for drivers and workers throughout the yard. Alongside any general truck safety training, every driver or employee should be trained in conjunction with their company's safety guide or guidelines. 

When it comes to keeping drivers and the rest of your team safe while operating within the yard, follow these tips: 

• The use of safety signs, such as these:

• Do not exceed 10 mph while inside the yard.
• Sound your alarm if any person or truck gets within close proximity of you.
• Wear reflective, vibrant safety gear to remain easily visible to others at all times.

Read more about truck operation best practices, as well as the importance of having proper training when using a yard truck in this blog.  

General Safety Tips and Training

An integral part of implementing overall safety for all parties involved is general training and awareness on keeping yourself safe. Applying some basic, well-known safety tips and habits to your employee training helps minimize the risk of injury, accidents, or mishaps in the yard. Have a safety protocol, post it where everyone can see it, and be sure it is followed by all employees. 

As a driver or worker in the yard, always remember to do the following:

1. Wear your seat belt – Even in short distances, such as the yard, seat belts can prevent major injuries if you are involved in an accident.
2. Do a pre-inspection of your yard truck –  This will ensure all equipment is working properly, i.e. your headlights, taillights, blinkers, emergency flashers, and windshield wipers.
3. Be mindful of severe weather conditions – No matter where or how far you are traveling in your yard truck, any bad weather can compromise your driving or ability to see others in the yard clearly.
4. Pay attention at all times – Always be on the lookout for potential hazards when operating yard trucks or other equipment.
5. Never pull behind someone without warning – Always give other drivers extra room and the right of way when they are backing up or parking.

Download our Kalmar Ottawa Maintenance Manual here for descriptions of specific repair procedures, component operations, and information on preventative maintenance to ensure you are staying safe when using your yard truck. 

Yard Truck Certification At Louisville Switching

Louisville Switching offers a yard truck training certification program available for all drivers and yard workers. Our team of experts in the industry will educate and inform you on all of the vital safety measures drivers need to know to keep themselves and others safe, both inside and outside of the truck. Our Ottawa Yard Truck certification is essentially a safety training course for all yard truck operations. 

Check out this blog to learn more about Louisville Switching's hands-on learning approach to attaining yard truck certification. We value driver safety, and we want to help you stay up-to-date on current regulations, encourage safe driving tactics, and deliver best practices on how to take care of your yard truck. To learn more or to schedule a training, reach out to our Sales, Manager, Chris.