Safety Guide: Operating Your Dump Trailer
Tough, reliable, and hardworking—dump trailers are increasingly necessary for a variety of work sites, including farms and construction sites. But like with any piece of equipment, there are certain safety measures that you need to take when operating your dump trailer. Keep reading to learn more!
Common Accidents
Knowledge is the best defense. Here are a few common situations that can result in disasters, as well as some preventative measures you can take to avoid them:
- Tipping Over: While unloading, your truck and trailer might tip over. Avoid this by parking on as flat of a surface as possible. If there are severe high winds, postpone unloading the trailer.
- Sudden Bed Lowering: If the bed suddenly falls, workers can get crushed. This can be caused by human error or because the lift mechanism has become weak from constant overloading. To prevent this, install a lift arm that stops the bed from coming down. Always keep loads within the trailer’s weight limits.
- Contact with Overhead Power Lines: If a trailer comes into contact with overhead power lines, anyone in contact with the trailer is in danger (except for the driver in the cab). Prevent this by knowing the size of your trailer when raised. Never move the truck when the bed is raised.
Safely Loading and Unloading
Know the weight capacity of your dump trailer and only load as much as it can handle. Spread the load evenly over the bed or place more of the load towards the rear. Always keep your tow vehicle and dump trailer in as straight a line as possible. Unload on smooth, even ground, without any employees or vehicles hanging around in the dump zone. If you need to work after sundown, ensure that you have plenty of artificial light illuminating your work site. Finally, all employees should know the risks of dump trailers and safety requirements, including knowing all the necessary hand signals for communication while the trailer and tow vehicle are operating.
Maintenance
Always engage the lock arm before you step under an upraised trailer. Keep your dump trailer working efficiently by checking the tire pressure, lift hydraulics, and suspension systems regularly. Lubricate pins and bushings to keep the mechanisms running smoothly. Make sure repairs don’t block the space on the sides and bottom of the bed, which are necessary for the free flow of load materials.
If you need to add a dump trailer to your worksite, come by Glenn’s Trailer Sales in Hobe Sound, FL, near Jupiter and West Palm Beach. We have a great inventory of dump trailers for sale, so stop by today!