Truck Driver Killed by his load 4-22-16

Best statement of this entire thread. No amount of securement is going to stop a suicide loaded coil if the truck comes to a complete abrupt stop.

 

My brother's bullet proof vest is made from ceramic.

 

Yes it does look like a bluescope (Butler) load of of Annville, PA. They've never stopped me from using chains. Looks like a serious lack of edge protection was a contributing factor in that second wreck with the beams. And no x chains at the front. Plus knowing what I know from hauling those loads, the beams were probably loaded three wide and the middle one was loose. And the dunnage they use between tiers cracked and loosened the straps.

I used to get $5/mile for those loads because it took me 4-5 hrs to secure. The broker found someone to do it cheaper.

 

This....
Once it starts moving, your in trouble! No trailer headboard is going to stop it. It may slow it down a tinny bit, if it wants in the cab with you, it's coming in! I don't run a headboard but I would secure it the same either way.

 

I would think that the headache rack would break free and be carried forward but it would distribute the force on a much larger area of the cab. Try putting your fist thru drywall, then your fist with a 6"x6" piece of the same drywall stuck to the front of your fist. Might have made a difference? That and chains? I would never roll without chains on that load. RIP.

 

There are too many gaps between the beams to secure them properly. It's impractical and impossible for the driver to put in blocking with that much empty space and no way to access.

 

You just have to be creative and determined. Drop 4x4's between the beams and keep tightening the chains until the beams touch. Every time you snap the binder tight the beams shift a little to the middle. Or get them to push with the forklift.

And It's crazy not to X- chain the front to help stop them from coming forward.

 

Last time I was at Bluescope they told me I couldn't climb on the load. I told them they better unload it or walk away because I have to get up there. The safety lady kind of vanished after that I thought it was lunch

 

It all has to do with acceleration, or more correctly the deceleration of the truck compared to the load.
The general theme (which I will not directly argue with), is that "once it's moving, it's over...etc), but the reality is there is an infinite amount of levels of deceleration that where a headboard...or a headache rack, or a row of marshmallows would keep the roll out of the truck.
Obviously, there are some levels that won't....sadly.

It's not any different from helmets or seat belts in this case.

I do understand the "once it's moving" sentiment though. It's smart advice that in itself might save someone's life because they took extra caution because of it.