Question:
Hopefully the trailer you drag has what's called "E-Tracks".
Most likely they do have them, so.......
Here's what ya need to have. As a company driver, the company will provide you with load securement devices. You may have to beg and grovel for them, but they have to provide them.
Ratchet Straps
These straps lock into slots in the trailer walls. If you go to a place that has NO DOCK, having one of these hanging there will make your life much easier. It gives you a good grasping point, rather than grabbing the door hinge with your finger and thumb, while trying to hoist your butt up into the trailer. All the while hoping your finger and thumb will hold your azz and keep you from falling azz first into the big puddle that you stepped over to get to the doors of your trailer.
Make sure to clean mud, dirt, sand and whatever else off the rear of the trailer where you're gonna be stepping.
Oh yeah! Use the ICC bumper also. -->
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"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." --> From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
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"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)
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Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division

Answer:
Always Try to use the (3) Point System(click here)

Answer:
Thanks Rokki. I forgot about the 3 point system. Sheesh.....
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"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." --> From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
*******************************
"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)
**************************
Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division


Answer:
If you need to just get up in there to install or remove load locks,close left door,give's you something to grab onto.
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Fundamental truth in Trucking
"We over pay our poor drivers and under pay our good drivers"
http://www.truckload.org/infocenter/TCAdocs/profitable_driver.pdf
Zigzag
Happy Member of the nondweller society and happy to get paid for all hours worked and be home when not working.
_________________
TruckNets Jobs.Truck.Net Online Application Click here

Answer:
Many drivers have broke thumbs/fingers hoisting themselves up into trailers. Especially reefers. Their fingers get caught in the floor rails.
Falling off the back of trailers is another problem many drivers have experienced. You can seriously injure yourself from either the fall or even trying to catch yourself during the fall.
Flat bed drivers suffer the most injures while working trailers. A lot of broken bones, some have died, or are paralyzed from a fall off a flatbed.
Climbing ladders on tankers is another area drivers need to be careful with. A lot of serious injures from that too.
Zig is right, try to keep one trailer door closed , it makes it easier to climb.
Wind blowing open truck hoods closed on you is something drivers need to be aware of. If the hood has a lock, use it. If it doesn't, keep a close eye on that hood.
We had a driver out in the middle of nowhere had a hood close on him while he was checking the motor. He needed surgery. He was pinned between the hood and the wheel. He was a small man and had a hell of a time getting himself out. A rouge [sic] gust of wind came out of nowhere.
Washing the windshield while standing on a tire wheel, again, watch what your doing. Fuel islands are covered in fuel. You'll slip off the wheel with fuel on the bottoms of your shoes.
It's always dangerous climbing around trucks and trailers.

Answer:
Hoss!! --> I am glad to see responses to the question I had asked! I guess the old saying is right ..there really is never a stupid question.
In reply to the falling. We(grin saying we with my new employer) had 2 drivers fall out of the back of the trailer in the same month. Both guys broke both wrists trying to catch themselves. Some how they had just walked off the edge of the trailer. No idea how they both managed that. But they were one reason for my question of you.
I have fallen at the fuel islands before. Hurts like hell to fall on the concrete, full force with your knee on the edge of the curb part. Took a good 10 minutes before I could actually control the nausea (yes hurt so bad caused instant nausea) and the pain to get back up. I was the only one at the pumps, and of course the radio was installed in the truck to contact anyone. I had slipped on some spilled fuel that I did not see. I was out of work 3 weeks while they decided if I had broken my knee or not. Since then I make sure the sole of my shoes are clear of fuel. I dont want a repeat of a few years ago, to this day I can remember how much it had hurt.
When I wash windows..I wont do it at a fuel island. Wont be climbing with even the remotest chance of that slippery stuff on my shoes. Btw we have to wash the bus windows same way they are washed in a truck. I do wonder though if I will ever get the hood down..tried to open it when I roadtested for them and the dang thing was MUCH heavier than I had anticipated. In that respect sure wasnt able to one hand it like I do pulling open the bus hood. -->
Hope all are having good and safe days!

Answer:
I've meet a number of drivers over the years that have slipped and fell on fuel islands. When it rains , it's like a ice skating rink.
Some of these drivers where seriously injured falling at fuel islands. You have to be careful using the clutch after you have stepped in fuel. Your foot can slip off the clutch and rocket the truck forward and possibly run over a driver passing by.

Answer:
Open the doors, back into the dock, and walk in.
Oink! Oink! Oink! Grunt! Grunt!
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One cylinder at a time...

Answer:
Also when getting out of trailer, watch for you shoe laces getting caught on the catch that the door locks into. If a lace gets caught, your foot will stop and face first you go!! -->

Answer:
i must have drunk too much I keep seeing my posts post twice...
[This message was edited by Shuffler on November 18, 2003 at 0:02.]

Answer:
zigzag: If you need to just get up in there to install or remove load locks,close left door,give's you something to grab onto
At last we agree on something. This is how I ALWAYS climb into a trailer from the ground.
Good post Hoss.
I always get my pants seat dirty getting out of trailers. I just got too old and potentially brittle to go jumping to the ground** like Superman anymore......but if I did I'd sqaut on the tailgate, grab the door or frame with one hand and jump with my knees bent. land of the balls of your feet and let the impact bend your knees a little more, like a spring, to smooth the impact a little.
** but don't do this. Jumping/falling from the truck is the #1 most common driver injury, and I've been told it can really hurt........a long long time.....
[This message was edited by Shuffler on November 18, 2003 at 0:10.]

Answer:
I use a 6' fiberglass step ladder. It's weather-proof and easily carried behind the sleeper. I do attempt to keep it out of direct sunlight.
I see too many drivers "killing" their knees getting in and jumping out of trailers.
The ladder also assists in cleaning the rig.
FireGears-wishing you well

Answer:
Hey Hoss, does that include in spike heels and mini skirt with my panties showin? --> --> -->
Cindi -->
Thats just my opinion......
I could be wrong!
Dennis Miller
searchin.....for pigs on the wing! Pink Floyd


Answer:
Originally posted by CJnJon:
Hey Hoss, does that include in spike heels and mini skirt with my panties showin? --> --> -->
Of course it does. -->
*******************************
"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." --> From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
*******************************
"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)
**************************
Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division


Answer:
If you work multi-stop freight with a swing door van, the carrier should provide a handhold and foothold at the rear impact bumper for this purpose. If I wasn't so lazy and uncaring, I would search the OSHA site for their view of it.
If you will notice, most LTL pups have a grated footstep on the bumper and a handhold to pull yourself up with. The same for dismounting, you use the tools provided and yes you use the three point system. You always hold your package if you decide to jump down... -->
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Earlier, Sandberg told Land Mine in an interview: “One of the things I’ve been told is that a lot of the shippers are just simply not aware of the new HOS changes and their impact on drivers. We probably need to make sure they understand the implications if they can’t get a driver in and out fairly quickly – that is clearly something we need to take a look at.”
One crucial issue is that states have anywhere from six months to three years after Jan. 4, 2004, to adopt the new federal rule. This leaves drivers in a precarious situation during this “phase-in period” as they drive from state to state, not knowing whether the old or new regulations are being enforced.