What is an average rate of work injuries for drivers?

While I agree in theory, I bed you spend a lot of time arguing about whether you are going to tarp or not. I've been flatbedding for most of 23 years. And the places with no fall protection greatly outnumber the places with fall protection. And what many of these places call "fall protection" would have been considered a "trip hazard" in the past. Some of these places use mobile catwalks and stuff like that. If you fell on one of them, it would be like falling on a giant cheese grater. Im not sure it wouldnt be better to fall on smooth concrete. The best thing to do is just be careful. Take it slow, and remember where the holes, dips, and valleys in the load are so you don't step in them after they are tarp covered. Crashes kill far more drivers than tarping ever has. And there too, caution and alertness prevent most of them too.

 

I guess that is why I do my own thing so I don't put myself in jeopardy for the most part. I'm in pretty good shape to tarp loads as I run the skateboard. It is unnecessary and foolish to be up high tarping loads & not secure. To each his or her own. Since I fell from 12' a few years back & torn my arm up breaking the fall. A few more to the right & I might not being writing this. I'm more safety conscious so for me if you want a high load tarped safety harness or call the next guy in line. I'm not that guy anymore. Safety first

 

Forget the flatbed...get dry van no touch freight...like I have for years...lol

 

I fell out of my mixer once lol. Opened the door, went to step out, and was on my ###, that's all I know lol. No injury physically, pride was devastated however.
Have many permanent scars, screws, healed fractures from various other things though, do those count?

 

Did anyone see you? It doesn't count if no one saw it!

 

I slipped out of my Freightliner last winter - too much moisture on the floorboard. The driver next to me got out to see if I was okay. He said I fell like a sack of potatoes! Did get a big bruise on the side of my leg.

I was too tired to be embarrassed.

 

BORING! LOL

 

This is actually a good question to ponder, And I'll tell you why.

I had a Load of Siding I picked up in Virginia a month ago, It was loaded front to back 7 foot high, The Forklioft guy put my tarps up then "Disappeared"...

yes,They had an aluminum ladder to get up.....As I was up there, The ladder Fell- I started to Panicx- (There was no way down) Without jumping and breaking my legs.

I hollared for 10 minutes at the top of my lungs for assistance- FINALLY a Lady heard my call and Got me some help-

I told the guy -Please don't ever leave an area where a driver is elevated like that until they are finished- As I explained what happened- YES Without a Harness or safe way to get down- It is an issue.

Poor Hurst was left on top of his load for Hours on a farm loading hay-

this is a safety issue that needs attention with these shippers.

 

Here's a thought: PAY ATTENTION!!! 99.9% of safety happens between your ears, and if you aren't constantly paying attention to your surroundings (footing, weather, load stability, who/what else might be around you), then you'll probably wind up getting hurt eventually. If you're paying attention and consider "what could go wrong here" and take steps to minimize those chances, injuries will be few and far between.

 

Lol..yes but like I said to one old hand flat bedder trying to get his tarp tied down in high winds in WY....they load my trailer, maybe a couple of load lock straps or load lock bars now and then...and I'm outta there...he said ya know I'm getting to old for this...I may just go dry van....yep and get on down the road...lol...have a safe one driver...I'm teasing ya is all...but I couldn't resist...lol