Portable fall protection

Well math it out. Average ht of your tarp loads. Let's use 6ft although probably 8 is more likely. But...
You are let's say 6ft tall. On top of the 6ft load. So deck ht plus 12ft. Maybe 16ft from your head to the dirt.
Now. Sketch out what you think will keep you above the dirt taking into account that most fall arrest has some give built into it to absorb the impact shock. So the fixed point would be easily 16'-20' above the deck if you allow enough working slack to move 8ft sideways across the load. Not allowing for putting bungees. that would have to be done from the ground. Only spreading the tarps.
So something 16ft tall that can take your weight with little or no deflection and can endure the safety factor of your weight in free fall, your weight under fall acceleration and stopping impact. Now locate it in a way the prevents your head from smashing during fall or stop.
I think it's infeasible.

 

This true, if the shipping location has a place to tarp, thats good. They also should be able to see the area in order to have a certain level of safety.
As to the no tarp on our property thing goes, I have no problem telling a shipper that if they don’t have a safe place to tarp, not going to happen. I stand by that firmly. Same goes for receiver wanting it done in the street or something like that. Just say NO, and stick to it. Have had shippers refuse to load the trailer because I will not tarp in an unsafe location. They also pay for that as well.

 

The good news is that for most situations there are ways to work smarter not harder. Sitting down and kneeling are both very safe and often better on the back. And good for flexibility if it's a lifestyle before you get inflexible and injury prone. Also wearing lightweight flexible grippy sole sneakers, I love Merrill personally, allows you to feel where you are on the load without having to look. And going slow.
Not the epitome of macho like my brothers out there but an old lady can get away with that.
You could too if you prioritize safety as you should.
I'm perfectly content to be on the top of the load. I unroll and drape and also reroll from the top so I don't have to tax my back lifting them.

 

How many of y’all carry your own harnesses on truck for places that do have fall protection?

 

Nope

 

In 8 years I’ve never even been to a place that required a fall protection harness. Only one place that required nets that hooked to your rub rail (only during the week when the Safety guy was there). Genie in North Bend puts up rails on your trailer but that’s for their guys, not the driver.

The best was Otis elevator in Florence, sc, they had a overhead crane that the drivers used to drape their tarps over the load. Worked great.

 

One thing to keep in mind about stake pockets is what their load design is. I've seen them primarily as securement points so pulling straight up. An 8 ft post will multiply the force of anything leaned or pulled on them by many times. If a 200 lb trucker falls outwards and is caught without any momentum that's still 1600 ft-lbs prying against the pocket directly against the welds. It just seems like it would load it the wrong way. I've seen them ripped off.

On the safety concern I'd suggest protecting your head and neck if you fall, but mostly to pay close attention to your footing and don't get too ####y or in to much of a rush. That's the common theme. You get too rushed and make a mistake.

 

I carry a harness for loading and unloading aerial equipment for customers that require it.

 

Actually no, it’s always been “The load comes first!!” In trucking, just ask your dispatcher.

 

Only because the majority of drivers are too scared to say no. My safety comes first, period. I've seen too many people hurt and disabled over the years to prioritize the needs of a shipper or receiver over my well being. Essentially they are too cheap to do what it takes to ensure driver safety, protecting their bottom line. Get hurt and win a big lawsuit over lack of fall protection. Does a lot of good when you broke your back and won't walk again, I had a friend this happened to. Won big time in court ... still will never walk again. Is it worth it?

We've always done it this way ... worst excuse we've ever had for bad behavior or doing things wrong.