Looking for your point of view!!

What does the history of your companies policies tell you? For example, I know of a company that will announce policies and rabble rouse to get everyone all fired up until it comes time to fire the first driver. Once it gets to that point they balk on the policy. If your company acts like this I wouldn't sweat it, not to mention this is nearly impossible to enforce. You'd have to do it the wrong way in sight of someone in safety.

 

Safety safety safety. If I had a dollar for every time some safety boofin tell me how to do my job I'd be rich. Some person who has never done the job telling you how to do it. They probably have seen a injury report saying someone hurt themselves doing a curtain way so will do it this way. I'm guessing if they made you sign off on their policy on how to do it they may be able to fire you or if you hurt yourself doing it your way you might have trouble getting compensation.
I'd say pick your fights is it really that big of a problem? Do you enjoy your job, quitting over it? You will find your next job you get they'll may have some safety rule that you like even less than this one.

 

I smell flatbed cams....... Have to make sure......

 

That would be the worst job on earth, review all load securement. Don't even joke about that.

 

I always "hook throw" my straps. Never had a problem

 

Some desk jockey at your company thinks that micro managing and hand holding drivers is going to increase productivity and safety. It's not going to work. Drivers who need their hands held are the first to eff up.

Imagine being a player on a football team and the coaches are trying to micromanage you. You wind up hesitating when you're supposed to move and are more inclined to drop he ball. If they can't trust their players to win the big game, they will never see a championship trophy.

 

You have been there 4 years so you must like the company, you are just having a bad day and do not like some pencil pusher that has never drove a truck or chained a load telling you how to do your job and who would blame you - just do it their way.
OOOORRRRRRRR - tell them you hurt your back and it hurts all over, when asked how it happened tell them you were "hook shooting" a strap.
Take a long vacation on them --JK:smt064

 

The problem is that the chances of injuring your rotator cuff increases with throwing baseball style. One of our other drivers showed me how to do it and I can throw a 50' strap over a load hook style with less effort then it takes to throw a 27' baseball style.

 

Trucking (specifically open deck) has one of the highest instances of on the job injury. All of the changes sound like they came down from their work comp carrier. I would assume they are looking to cut the cost of their work comp insurance, or had some bad years and need to improve to reduce costs. This could be a short term thing, or it could signal the direction your company is moving. I assure you, there will be much more of this going on throughout the industry in the coming years. Trucking companies are getting killed by lawsuits and are doing anything possible to minimize risk.

Ultimately, you have to be the one to weigh the pros and cons of your current job. Personally, I would never leave a good job over something this insignificant. Are there other issues with your company?

If I were a driver, I would make it a point to know the job market at all times. You don't want to be a job hopper, moving for minor improvements, but you shouldn't miss your dream opportunity because you are mostly satisfied and not really looking.