Hand signal guide?

No I'm telling you that people are so stupid in charge of dangerous equipment that it is amazing or god watching over those working around them to prevent them from getting killed.

The crane that knocked me off the truck and forced me into retirement, he failed his certification tests that the company had not once, not twice, not even three times but four times when the company policy is fail twice, you can't ever take the test again. This guy moved that die set without looking at what the set was moving over. He was distracted by someone talking to him when he swung the die over the bed of the trailer.

I've also had certified (READ UNION) forklift drivers who didn't have a clue what hand signals meant, I had one pick up of a die half casting at a foundry and it was in a light rain. The forklift driver went too fast bringing it to the truck, it was surfaced and very slick. He ignored my signals and yelling, he bounced the forklift off the run rails (bent them in), the casting slide right off the forks, across the sticks and onto the pavement, cracking the casting and taking out the read outside tire on the life axle.

So the next day I was told to drive out to this place in my personal car and meet with the big guys and explain what happened. They just shook their heads when I told them a detailed story, even had someone taking notes, and one said "well we would fire the 'guy' if this wasn't a Union shop but we have to deal with his steward and hope he doesn't file a grievance" so essentially he said can't do anything about it.

A month later the guy almost killed someone when he left his forks up and was driving around a blind corner, he just scraped the guys side and they still didn't fire the guy.

 

That is so funny. thanks for posting that.

 

No, agree on signals BEFORE you start with assisted backing. They may be pointing right to mean move tractor right or they may mean move trailer end right. I usually just have them stand to keep an eye on the part I can't see and ask they only help me not hit the obstruction, maybe give a signal as I get closer and closer. I think about half of the helpers really just want me to steal home plate or stretch a double into a triple. Waaaay too much arm-waving for my taste.

Rookies, because they have no confidence backing, too easily fall into following ANYONE'S suggestion on how to back. Discuss the issue before backing.

 

"when I nod my head you hit it."

 

The people that know what they are doing make the rest of us look bad.

 

I did OTR back in the 1990s, worked Dedicated for 18 years, then went back OTR. I almost NEVER see anyone helping another driver back up. In the 1990s I would probably see someone every day helping, either at a trucks top or a customer. When I help these days, about half of the parked trucks watching everything going on have drivers in the seat watching. If I'm lucky after I help the driver get parked I MIGHT be told by anyone but the driver I helped "that's nice of you to help him." I doub't 10% of the drivers I help ever say thanks. I do it to encourage other drivers to help when they can and to keep from being blocked in when the police, fire, ambulance respond after the crash I'm trying to avoid.

I've seen a couple of backing wrecks at truck stops and they are never low speed affairs. And often the offending driver hits something several times, or over and over, before getting out to see what's keeping his truck from going back. Drivers aren't even TRYING to be careful. smh

 

LOL !!

 

I never offer to help anyone back their truck because I don't want to be blamed for thier stupidity. And I tell my drivers don't help.

Well one of my drivers ignored the "advice" and tried to help an o/o out this past august. It didn't end well. The driver was in a big hurry, he claim he didn't see my drivers hand signals to stop and he took out the truck next to the open spot.

So I got a call from this clown who said he was going to sue me because of my driver, I can't post what I said but you all can imagine. The one thing I told the clown I'm sending him a bill for the labor of my driver being used.

I have not heard a word since.

 

###### if you do...###### if you don't.

 

I operate under a no spotting rule. If I can't get into a space by myself I aint getting in there.
And I definitely don't spot anyone else.