The Truckers’ Report flatbed Hall of Shame.

Ok this one isnt a trucker nomination, it's for a shipper safety inspector.

I loaded pipe at Paragon in Sapulpa, OK yesterday and..

I'm loaded waiting in the lounge when the inspector comes in and informs me I have to belly wrap. I inform him my load is belly wrapped. No no, I have to belly wrap each entire stack.....

He then tells me all I need to do is use one of my top straps and bring the hook end under and hook to the trailer. I'm stunned enough that I ask him to come out to the truck and guide me through what he wants me to do. As I suspected he actually has me horse collar the load to one side of the trailer.

Sometimes guys it's better for all to just shut up and move along. I do what he asks, put pretty much zero tension on the horse collar, stop a couple miles away and put my straps back.

I now understand why Paragon has a rep for being difficult.

 

Being the stubborn ####### that I am, I would have insisted that his supervisor come out to see what that dimwit was requiring. I would've made sure the supervisor knew how idiotic that request was, and how dangerous it could potentially be out on the road, and the potential liability THEY could be facing as THEY were the ones instructing drivers to do such a ridiculously unsafe thing.

I understand you just wanted to get out of there...but some guys don't know any better and would try to actually haul it like that & possibly end up dead as a result. Shippers REQUIRING dangerous securement is kind of a pet peeve of mine. It will be loaded and secured to MY satisfaction (which already meets and exceeds the federal standards) or the load can come off MY truck. Period. I will take any suggestions you might have, because I'm always open to new/better ways of doing things, but I won't be coerced into any unsafe movements by someone who somehow managed to get a "safety inspector" job title.

 

His supervisor is probably the one to tell him to require it.

The offices of these places are full of people that make rules about things they know nothing about.

 

Ask those "safety inspectors" to write and sign a paper that they were the one who wanted the securement changed against the driver's advice and whishes.

I never got a paper like that and allways left with things loaded and secured my way.

 

Once you hit the highway the securement is your responsibility, or liability. When a shipper demands it “their way,” and it isn’t safe then that’s when the load comes back off the deck. After all they aren’t the ones losing everything when the falls off, and kills someone.

 

I'm having trouble visualizing this "horse collar". Can you explain? I've hauled my share of pipe & never heard this term.

 

Sounds like having the hook around to the same side as the ratchet.

 

That's what I'm picturing. Direct tie down but only on one side which might be ok if there was bolsters integrated into the trailer but I'm not 100% even that would be legal.

 

Anything is legal as long as you have enough other securement.

 

Correct. The hook on the same side as the ratchet.