Tanker Truck Driving and Hazmat Safety Concerns

As a tanker driver your load can kill you. Much safer to haul chickens. Not live ones though....they're dangerous.

 

Haulng hazmat can be deadly if you're not careful when you get on top of the trailer to open the lid.If you do tanks I would suggest getting a face mask.Pay sounds about right since you have no exp.

 

That sounds about right.

The part about radioactive material..... Most of that stuff isn't hauled in tanks. I'm almost 99.999% sure schneider doesn't haul radioactive materials. Even if they do, three plants usually handle the loading/offloading.

Just make sure you learn what your hauling and if you have to open the dome lid, don't put your face in there and take a deep breath.

 

I worked at Schneider Bulk and they do not haul radioactive. In 10 years on the road I bet I've seen less than 20 trucks flying the radioactive placard.

Look hazmat is dangerous but the vast majority isn't so dangerous that it will kill or maim you with incidental contact. It's all about common sense. The PPE requirements will be clear for the product you are hauling. Most of the really bad stuff is unloaded by plant employees.

The numbers they quoted are doable but you have to drive and be flexible. If you can't or won't drive nights then you won't make as much. If you need to be home every weekend then you will be broke.

 

I left out the part about early morning appts and now getting home on weekends. I second everything @ethos said.

 

I've been here over 4yrs and never hauled radioactive materials. Wear your respirator if the load recommeds it especially if you are pumping since the dome lid will likely be open. As far as pay, you probably won't make much more than a regional driver unless you never go home.

 

i was with snbc for a year. rarely drove overnight, i only remember 1 time, and that was for a 1am airplane de-icer unload in cincinnati. i made more than the 45k they quoted you, and majority of the time i did 11 out and came home for 3. a few times i stayed out for a month. i was also based out of NJ.

worst part about the job was the chemical suit, imo. that being said, i would of taken rubber lined caustic air unloads all day long given the choice between that and multi hose, rear unload pump-offs. you really can't go wrong starting out there. it's one of those things you need to experience first hand to know if it's for you or not - some don't mind, but for me, the extra work and risk just wasn't worth it..

 

Nothing like wearing the full Gumby suit middle of summer.