DON'T THINK THIS CAN'T HAPPEN TO YOU
I sometimes like to load in the middle of the night when I load in Baltimore/Dundalk. It's cooler and I avoid all the traffic when heading west. So here I am 05/10/2018 AT 3:30 AM strapping down the last unit on top. I was strapping the wheel in the rear on the right. One of my rules that I learned in my career doing flatbed, oversize and then Auto Transport is never push when you can pull. I got the ratchet hand tight, started to tighten with my tie down bar. I placed the bar in the hole maybe 2nd or 3rd time, facing toward the rear and pushed down. Mysteriously, the strap came loose underneath and when it did, my hand, gripping the bar came crashing down onto the deck.
Cussing like a drunken sailor, I walked around for about 10 minutes. I was afraid to take my glove off. I didn't want to see it. Although I continued to watch for blood. Little by little it became more and more numb. The initial pain and shock actually started to subside. I managed to finish loading and pinning my truck. Removed my gloves and saw no blood but it was very swollen. I contacted safety when they opened up. There was no question that it had to be examined but whether I was to do it immediately or after unloading was my call. I opted for the latter. I got 7 out of 9 BMW's off that day below Pittsburgh and delivered the other 2 in Erie, Pa the next morning. I drove to where I park the truck in Brunswick, Ohio and proceeded to Concentra to get x-rays. It was a clean break of the R ring finger tip.
After waiting for Workers Comp (WC) to approve the claim, they finally sent me to see a hand specialist on the 18th. Yes, you read that right; 8 days later. He said it wouldn't require surgery since the tendon was still attached but I shouldn't use my hand doing my job until the bone has healed for awhile. I asked how long and he said fully recovered is about 12 weeks but I may be able to return earlier if I keep it braced and use caution. I guess I will have to take it a day at a time and see what happens. God knows I have a lot to catch up on in my personal life so I will take the time off. Having a 2 year emergency fund tucked away eases the stress greatly too.
I'm scheduled to return on June 7th for another x ray and see what it looks like.
Lessons Learned:
NEVER PUSH TO TIGHTEN YOUR RATCHETS. ALWAYS PULL! ALWAYS!
SLOW DOWN
THINK THINK THINK
Broke My Fingertip In Half
Discussion in 'Car Hauler and Auto Carrier Trucking Forum' started by MooneyBravo, May 28, 2018.
Page 1 of 2
-
-
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
-
-
-
-
-
-
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
Page 1 of 2