Can a shipper/receiver force you to wear ppe?

I saw a sign at a customer showing a shirt with and without high-vis stripes, depending on how you looked at it you could see the obvious, there were drivers and customers that would argue the point.

 

The problem with this is.....they can ban you for whatever reason, however they do have to be careful with this as they can violate contracts. What do I mean?

Well back in 2020 I was delivering to an oil place near Chi-town. A Cat 4 hurricane was bearing down on my house and I needed to get back home to board up windows, secure loose items, etc. I got there, asked how long it would be before I was unloaded, and was told go sit in my truck, they would call me. Well, I sat an hour, heard nothing. I went BACK to the ##### at the desk and asked, she said "I TOLD YOU TO GO SIT IN YOUR TRUCK." Ok, well I wait ANOTHER hour. and then go ask her again. Same thing. Now understand, the entire time my dispatcher is riding my ### wanting to know when I'd be unloaded so he could get me another load to get me home. I kept telling him "I don't know, the ##### won't tell me anything other than "go sit in the truck." I decided to go stand next to my trailer to see if I could intercept a warehouse worker and ask them. We are allowed, by contract, to monitor the loading and unloading of our equipment, wherever we deliver. Well, the ##### came outside, said I didn't listen to her, and banned me from the facility. The thing is, that sped up the process of getting me unloaded. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I was able to get another load going almost straight back to the house and was home just in time to board up. This wound up going to the vice president of my company and some high up at that company. After stating my piece, they decided I was in the wrong and was banned permanently. I told them they were full of #### and I have a right to monitor my equipment being loaded or unloaded. The vice pres of my company said "He's right, he does. You can't stop him from doing that." It got so bad that we almost pulled our trailers out of there.

What's funny is 6 months later I went back to go get an empty trailer from them and the ##### that banned me was gone and they let me right in to get it. I wound up going back there 3 more times to grab empty trailers without issue.

 

Did you know that the 3m reflective coating is only good for a few turns in the washing machine before its no good.

 

Oops

 

That's not true, or that's not what makes it reflective. It's not a coating. I've washed my high vis vest dozens of times and it's just as shiny now as it was when new.

 

mine lasted one wash I always find the worst quality somehow.

now to the question I am surprised needed to be asked "Can a shipper/reciever force you wear ppe?"
The simple answer is no, the problem is they don't have to let you get loaded they can refuse you like you refuse them. You are a driver to them a face to the company you drive for one of which you will bear the responsibility if you make them refuse future work for your company. I assure you your company would rather lose you than the company they do work with that's just how it is. That said if you don't have earbuds a good solution might be sir or ma'am this was not on the list of requirements to be loaded or unloaded here would you have any ear buds? 99% time they have some.

You are more then just a driver you are the face of the company that the shipper and receiver sees that is moving freight for them your role also is customer service when they need answers above your pay grade you get them from your immediate boss for most that's the dispatcher he makes that decision. Now if the company doesn't like the answer from there its not on you as long you didn't twist things on purpose and which they the client they can call your bosses boss they can find out what was left out the conversation and won't go well...

 

Some of you all need to learn the art of “nice guilting” when dealing with an unreasonable situation. Say they’re trying to push your buttons…you show no sign of it getting to you and just keep being polite and nice back until they feel guilty. It works. Try it sometime

 

But does it still shine at night ?

 

Of course.

 

No one can force you to do anything. It’s your choice. Up to you whether or not to get loaded/unloaded. Your choice. Choose wisely.