Operating a truck yard is a challenging job that requires proper training and procedures to ensure the success and safety of both the operator and those around the yard. Whenever you work around large equipment, safety is of the utmost importance. First and foremost, the safety of your employees is your top priority, but your equipment, and ultimately your operations, are impacted when safety is neglected. One of your top goals should be to ensure proper safety measures are in place and followed carefully by every employee when working around yard trucks.
At Louisville Switching, we understand what's at stake. That's why we've created this guide as a go-to resource for training, procedures, and best practices that lead to safer yard truck operations.
Safe yard truck operation begins before even turning on the ignition. Prior to operating the yard truck, there are key steps that can be taken to prioritize the safety of the operator, others in the yard, and the equipment.
First, we always encourage operators to be familiar with all aspects of the yard truck before even going out into the yard. To read the full Kalmar Operator's Ottawa T2 Manual, our go-to for all yard truck safety instructions, download it here.
Additionally, our team only recommends the use of a yard truck if you have undergone proper training and instruction from a certified dealer.
Operating a yard truck or any heavy truck machinery can be a dangerous task without the proper training. Training is both critical to effectiveness on the job and necessary for workplace safety.
Accidents can happen to anyone, even the most experienced drivers. They can occur quickly and without warning. Safety, therefore, should be the number one concern for yard truck operators.
Yard trucks are heavy, dangerous pieces of machinery that only trained and knowledgeable professionals should operate. It is important to follow proper safety precautions before, during, and after operating yard trucks to increase safety, reduce injuries, decrease potential damages to the truck, and to increase overall productivity. Training can help you do this.
Every operator and employee needs to be trained on general yard truck safety, as well as on their company's specific safety guidelines.
Safety education provides many benefits to your yard. It can not only help prevent injuries, but also decrease the likelihood of accidents occurring in the future. Accidents can be caused by both drivers and other workers in and out of your yard. That's why we offer a Safety Training Certification Program designed to train drivers, workers, and all other employees that operate in and around your yard for optimum safety precautions and procedures. Learn more about that here.
Operating a truck can be dangerous work, and it’s even more dangerous if everything isn’t up to par before use. Here are a few things to check before operating an Ottawa yard truck.
The full checklist of pre-operation steps to take before operating your Kalmar Ottawa T2 can be found here.
Once your team has the proper safety training, we recommend implementing safety procedures that are understood and followed by all to help prevent accidents and injuries. It is important everyone be aware of the hazards of the yard and operating in and around a yard truck.
In a truck yard, there are a lot of moving parts, most of which you don’t have control over.
The most common hazard when operating a yard truck is the danger of accidents occurring with other drivers and/or workers in the yard. Drivers are responsible for being aware of their position in the yard and the location of other workers at all times. Taking extra precautions and staying alert can save lives in a truck yard.
Applying some basic, well-known safety tips and habits to your operations helps minimize the risk of injuries, accidents, or mishaps in the yard. Having a posted safety protocol is the first step; the second is making sure all employees are following that protocol carefully.
These yard truck operation safety dos and don'ts are a good starting point for creating your own safety protocols:
Do follow OSHA safety laws and regulations. They are set in place for a reason. Following them is not only legally required, but the best thing for your business to ensure the safety of all employees.
Do use protective gear, such as googles, vests, and helmets when operating on the vehicle. This is also an OSHA suggestion, but it’s a good idea in general to maintain safety at all times. Reflective vests can also help others see you better when in the yard.
Do post safety signs. Post safety signs and other protocol indicators in the yard to help keep safety top of mind and remind workers of the procedures they should follow.
Do a pre-inspection of your yard truck. As we mentioned earlier, this will ensure all equipment is working properly. Basic safety and avoiding accidents comes from properly working headlights, taillights, blinkers, emergency flashers, and windshield wipers.
Do 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.
Do keep a distance from other yard trucks. Especially when another truck is backing up, it is important to give the other vehicle the right of way and to give them extra space to operate. Never try to cut across the path of a yard truck that is in reverse.
Don’t modify the vehicle or its equipment without consulting Kalmar Ottawa yard truck experts, such as the Service Team at Louisville Switching. In some cases, modifying the vehicle can cause more damage than good, so precautions must be made to ensure safety.
Don't let your guard down. Always be on the lookout for potential hazards when operating yard trucks or other equipment. There is a lot going on in a yard and many factors you have no control over.
Don't underestimate the weather. Bad weather can compromise your ability to drive or your ability to see others in the yard clearly. Take even more precautions in severe weather conditions than you normally would.
Don't speed. Speeding increases the risk of injury and death in the yard. Generally speaking, trucks should not exceed 10 mph in the yard.
Safety comes from more than staying alert and following special guidelines. One precaution that is often forgotten when it comes to safely operating a yard truck is making sure your truck is properly maintained. You must ensure your trucks and other equipment are safe to operate. Even the most experienced and most careful drivers can get into terrible accidents if their equipment is not maintained properly.
Regular maintenance protects against unexpected parts and system failures that can lead to an incident on the job.
The Ottawa Maintenance Manual equips you to maintain your yard truck in its best condition, and also includes safety tips and procedural instructions specific to Ottawa machines.
Preventative maintenance, regular vehicle inspections, and staying up-to-date on vehicle recalls can keep your fleet operating safely and efficiently. Following a routine maintenance plan, such as a Preventative Maintenance (PM) Service Plan, can help improve your process and ensure your yard runs safely. Learn more about the importance of a preventative maintenance plan in this blog post.
Ottawa terminal trucks are trusted by companies across the world for their quality, performance, and reliability. Additionally, Ottawa yard trucks offer features and systems that enable you to improve the overall safety of your operations.
Yard trucks are designed to move trailers easier and more efficiently than a typical semi truck. Their unique design also includes several safety features not available in a semi truck. Using a switcher streamlines the process, decreasing the risk for injury.
Climbing in and out of cabs and cranking legs wear you down and can result in injuries, but the brightly-painted yellow steps on Ottawa Switchers make it easier for drivers to clearly see where you can step, and where you can’t. This is a simple solution to a common injury that occurs from mis-stepping.
The cab of the yard truck also has windows all around to allow for better visibility when hauling trailers. In a semi, visibility presents a problem to the driver; in a yard truck, however, you have visibility from all angles.
These are just a few of the features that make Ottawa's stand out in terms of safety. To learn more about what makes Ottawa yard trucks the best, check out this video.
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 equip 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 find more information on the importance of training and other news related to truck safety, visit our blog.
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