A few questions that the answers are too scattered....

You'll be fine. LOL

 

Seriously- to answer some your questions

I get the impression that company drivers and milage contract O/O usually switch trailers a lot.

Off road usually means off pavement. Mine roads and job sites are usually very passable. Take it slow and think about what your trailer is doing.

 

And some of the dangers are:

Bonking your head either on the crane that's loading you if your on the deck to rig it or that piece that's sticking out.

Getting a bungy cord hook in the eye because it slipped out of your wet glove or snapped.

Falling off the deck while tarping. Use the tarping station if there is one.

Be aware of your environment.

Safety glasses, hard hats and steel toes are very useful.

My safety glasses are on every time I'm out of the truck.

 

If and when you start, be carefull of the ones that have gotten good at doing it wrong. They tend to struggle more in all aspects and are less proffitable than the ones that use the proper equipment the way it was engineered to be used

 

Yes but take precautions even if they seem trivial.

For instance:
I'm a big proponent of safety glasses. Lots of guys don't wear them. I think that's just careless.

One thing in your eye and it can be over.

 

I used this guide a few years ago, never had any problem securing a load following the guidelines contained here...
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/Drivers_Handbook_Cargo_Securement.pdf

 

Don't rush and don't get lazy about tieing stuff down. Also if you get in the habit of doing things the same way in the same order it will keep you from leaving stuff laying on the ground when you leave.

 

Training for securing all loads, I don't think is possible.
If you haul the same items, same route, yes training is easy. OTR loading random equipment and material, still learning. I haven't loading everything and most weeks I load something new and different.
Even if I have hauled a piece of equipment, I always ask loading personnel where and how to secure. Some people have good advice some don't. Some loads I can load and go, confident it is secure. Some l loads I have to stop and check every 30 miles to make sure its not moving and secure.
Good luck in your new chapter of life.

 

Or leaving your winch bar on the deck of the trailer. Nobody has ever done that though

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