Company driver needs to buy staps, and chains??

Great. Now pay $100 for every tarp job and it won't be too much of a problem.

 

Sadly because enough in this industry have shown they have zero respect for other’s equipment that some companies have chosen to go this route to ensure the stuff is better taken care of. Even at my old company where it was provided for you we had guys that didn’t care until the boss said they were paying for the next set of tarps. Then all the sudden they could get their tarps nice and tight and they quit rubbing holes in them.

 

We got $50, plus an additional $75 if it was under 400 Miles.

 

I have a small flatbed company. I do not make guys buy anything for the truck but I see why some do. Had one driver lose a tarp, have bought 40 straps due to drivers letting them rub the tires. Have bought hundreds of bungees. When it’s all free they don’t respect the equipment. I bought all drivers a heavy wind proof/ waterproof reflective jacket last year for winter. All are lost except one. When I was a mantaince mechanic at a mill I had to provide all my hand tools to do the job up to 1”. Anything over 1” the company provided along with gloves. But when my pair of gloves wore out I turned in old pair and got a new pair. So now I have equipped all trailers loaded with straps in all winches and two extra in truck. 100 bungees also. When they turn in a strap they will get one. If it’s messed up due to neglect they will pay for it. Same for gloves. Bungees break and I understand that so I will keep providing. Some may say that’s not right but think at it like this. You burn a strap on a tire and the owner says hand me $15 and he sets it on fire, how would you feel? It’s the same thing. Every penny counts in this business.

 

If you can put the ratchet over a tire that might contact it, why not just throw a bolt in to limit the ratchet rail travel?

 

I did that over the weekend actually. Even provided a stake pocket winch just Incase they needed a belly strap or something there

 

Also the strap wouldn’t run the tire when strap was being used over the tire. Only when rolled on spool. I see it as take a bungee to keep them from moving but that’s just my thinking. It’s kinda like governing trucks. I govern mine when I drive by my foot and some have to have a computer to do it. People hate governed trucks but there is a reason they do. Many people before couldn’t realize the fuel usage cause they don’t buy it.

 

He no longer works for me. I paid the ticket. But since had the new driver get loaded and he felt it was heavy so he scaled and was heavy on axle group and he went back to get the load reworked. He was in a daycab and wasn’t able to get home due to issue so I got him a hotel room and reimbursed the scale receipt.
The labor board don’t give a hoot what I have to say. You are correct they don’t have to pay for lost or neglected things but they also don’t have to work for me either. It boils down to respect. I have a job that I get a company car and all the good stuff. I CHOOSE to find cheap fuel they pay for and take care of the stuff I am provided to work with. I feel if I do my part that leaves more for bonuses. But again just my thinking.

 

If i'm paying for the equipment the I want $50 for every tarp over 20 ft or part thereof and $10 for every tie down [chain or strap] per load. Add it to the rate if you want I mean it's only fair.