It is that time of year, when the temperatures are cooler, the winds are stronger and snow and ice are on the ground.
This introduces several additional safety hazards.
1. Slips, trips and falls
Trailerbeds, trailer parks, loading and delivery locations can be
Hazardous areas in normal temperatures. In winter, there is less daylight and ground is often wet, slippery and icy.
Advice
- Where possible work and walk in areas with lighting
- Walk on paths (avoid straying on to unmaintained areas)
- Remove any ice / snow from walking and stepping areas (tractor unit steps; 5th wheel area)
- Always use 3 points of contact when climbing up or down
- Make sure your footwear is clean and in good order
2. Outside working
Higher winds and cold temperatures can make working outside an unpleasant and hazardous activity.
Advice
- Where possible move the trailer or yourself to a safer environment to complete the task.
- Firmly secure trailer doors and curtains when working in windy environments.
- Don’t put yourself in the “firing line”. Standing near doors and curtains in strong winds can be dangerous
- Wear suitable clothing
3. Load Restraint
In cold and ice conditions products such as steel become more slippery and have less friction. Additional restraints must be applied to certain loads. Winter load restraint guidelines can be downloaded below:-
