Slip/Trip and Fall injuries are the most common type of injury for drivers. Most of them occur during the winter months. Each year, thousands of professional drivers are seriously injured due to not paying attention in winter conditions. Working in the ice and snow requires your full attention and awareness.
- Remember it is our primary goal that you go home to your family and friends the way you came to work today, safe and healthy.
- Always wear proper footwear. A full support leather shoe with a rugged non-slip sole. Use non-slip covers on shoe (Yak Trax, etc.)
- SLOW DOWN never be in a hurry.
- Always watch where you walk. Snow can accumulate on top of ice in and around truck parking areas.
- Take small steps and check your footing with each step.
- Look for ice on all handrails and hand grabs before using them.
- ALWAYS use gloves for better grip.
- ALWAYS use three points of contacts when exiting/entering your tractor or trailer or getting on the catwalk behind the cab, ALWAYS.
- Always use your seat belt.
- SLOW DOWN!
- Slow Down in winter!
Preparing for the Cold Weather Ahead
We are now in Fall and now is the time to start preparing your operation for the cold weather ahead. Your drivers should be aware of what is required to keep their truck running during the winter months ahead.
Fuel additives to prevent jelling should be added anytime the ambient temperature is below 32. Power Service and Penray are popular manufactures of fuel additives and both companies have two different products available through Navistar and Idealease locations.
Power Service:
-The "Red Bottle" is Power Service 911 and is to be used ONLY when the fuel in a unit has been jelled.
-911 is NOT to be used as a fuel additive that you would regularly put in the fuel tank to keep the fuel from jelling.
-Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement + Cetane "White Bottle" is to be added to the fuel at each fill when the ambient temperature is < 30 degrees F.
-This is the additive you should use on a regular basis during the winter months.
Penray:
Winter Thaw Emergency Diesel Fuel Supplement
Dissolves already gelled fuel fast and reduces clogging of fuel filters. Prevents ice crystal build-up in fuel lines and filters by disbursing moisture.
Eliminates hard starting, pounding, excessive smoking and helps improve combustion. 100% compatible with low sulfur fuel and fuel blends.
Winter Pow-R Plus Diesel Fuel Supplement
ULSD compliant. Prevents gelling of diesel fuel. Prevents ice crystal formation. Reduces cold filter plug point b as much as 30ºF. Helps enhance cetane. Helps improve fuel economy. Utilizes HAFI® technology. Improves cold weather starting. Stabilizes and prevents corrosion. Helps reduce emissions. Helps improve lubricity.
How to Make a Cold Weather Survival Kit
Everyone should carry a Winter Survival Kit in their truck. In an emergency, it could save your life. Here is what you need:
- a shovel
- windshield scraper and small broom
- flashlight with extra batteries
- battery powered radio
- water
- snack food including energy bars
- raisins and mini candy bars
- matches and small candles
- disposable hand/foot warmers
- extra hats, socks, and mittens
- first aid kit with pocketknife
- necessary medications
- blankets or sleeping bag
- tow chain or rope
- road salt, sand, or cat litter for traction
- booster cables
- fluorescent distress flag and whistle to attract attention
- cell phone adapter to plug into lighter and or extra battery supply
'Tis Deer Season!
It is deer season, and now is the time to remind drivers of the dangers of animals in the roadway. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that 1.5 million deer-related accidents occur each year. Deer are struck in three out of four accidents involving animals. Nationally, deer collisions with vehicles annually cause some $1.1 billion in vehicle damage, kill 150 people and injure another 29,000 people.
Cattle, horses, dogs, and bears also led to fatalities in collisions. Crashes with deer are most likely to occur in late fall during deer breeding, migration, and hunting season. Accidents with deer are likely to occur on rural roads with a speed limit of 55 mph or higher speed limits, in darkness, or at dusk and dawn. In 60% of the accidents involving human fatalities with animal-vehicle collisions, the fatality was caused not by the collision with the deer, but failure to wear a safety belt. The animal-vehicle collision is the first event and often not the deadliest. It is what occurs to the vehicle after the initial collision that is often the cause of the fatality, i.e. striking a fixed object or another vehicle(s). There is no feasible way to keep deer and other animals off the roadway. Deer whistles have been sold over the years as a way of avoiding deer collisions. I can personally attest that the whistles work. However, it is still up to the deer what action is taken after hearing the whistle. This may include standing still in the roadway or running directly at you; therefore, drivers always need to be vigilant and especially in those areas that are prone to animal crossing.
