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Basic Steps of Haul Truck Maintenance

BY NIOSH

The haul truck you see here obviously garners attention everywhere it goes. Its driver has the responsibility to keep it in excellent repair not only for the company’s good reputation, but also for his safety. By keeping a routine maintenance schedule, haul truck drivers nip problems in the bud. That’s vital when carrying 16, 18 or 20+ tons of hot material through traffic and then delivering that material to a receiving hopper alongside co-workers.
This airport project had a tight schedule that demanded the efficiency of an asphalt paving project. The haul truck you see here obviously garners attention everywhere it goes. Its driver has the responsibility to keep it in excellent repair not only for the company’s good reputation, but also for his safety. By keeping a routine maintenance schedule, haul truck drivers nip problems in the bud. That’s vital when carrying 16, 18 or 20+ tons of hot material through traffic and then delivering that material to a receiving hopper alongside co-workers. Photo courtesy Roadtec, Chattanooga.

This month’s product gallery provides the latest innovations OEMs have to offer in haul trucks and trailers. No matter what nifty new feature drivers have to make operations more efficient, there are routine operations they must see to for safety. The researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) remind workers that it takes proper truck maintenance to help prevent serious injury on the job. Here are some good basic steps to begin a safety-oriented maintenance program for the haul truck.

  1. Frequent and regular inspections of the truck prior to loading by competent person who are trained to recognize unsafe conditions. These persons should be designated by the employer.
  2. Instruction of employees in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to their work environment to control or eliminate hazards.
  3. Arrange trip handles for tailgates so the operator is in the clear. (Better yet—remove tailgates so you have less opportunity to damage pavers.)
  4. Check all vehicles at the beginning of a shift to assure the following parts/points are safe:
  • Service brakes
  • Trailer brake connections
  • Parking system (hand brake)
  • Emergency stopping system (brakes)
  • Tires
  • Horn
  • Steering mechanism
  • Coupling devices
  • Seat belts
  • Operating controls
  • Safety devices
  • Lights
  • Reflectors
  • Windshield wipers
  • Defrosters
  • Fire extinguishers

Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program.

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