Traffic accidents and slips/falls are major causes of death or injury for truckers. But what others dangers of trucking, should a new driver look out for?

 

walking in between trailers at night in any given truck stop comes to mind because you can get robbed/murked.

 

Or squished because a driver backing in/pulling out may not see you.

Then you have falling freight. Be very careful when opening doors and when inside a loaded trailer.

Forklifts.. a lot of the drivers do not pay attention and run full out.

 

Aids from lot lizards.
Roll Overs.
Falling asleep and crashing.
High blood pressure and cholesterol from a poor diet.
Bad knees, hemorrhoids and other health issues.

 

There is always the risk of crime, and you will be a target. I don't know what life skills you have. Keep a sharp eye out, and don't put yourself in vunerable situations. I won't get into scenerios. Just too many to list.

Be aware of your surroundings. There are Hazmat vehicles around you, and also dangerous equipment of many sorts...you need to take note of. You must be very observant at loading docks too. Many Hazmat products and dangerous equipment there too.

If you sleep with your engine at idle...keep your vents open enough so you have a flow of fresh air...maybe also get yourself a Carbon Monoxide detector.

Always make sure your air brakes are set when you exit the Tractor and keep out from under the rig at all times, unless you chock the wheels, when you do your pretrip, or make a repair.

Watch out for the guy next to you too. If you spot something wrong...get it to his attendtion pronto. We have to work together...whether we are rolling down the road, or parked next to each other.

Your pretrip is your biggest friend. Spot a problem before it kills you or someone else.

There are opperating precausions too. Again, I won't go into scenerios, as there are so many. Common sense stuff, like checking your brakes when you hit the Mountains. Let your brakes cool down, checking your load, tires. Lots of things will come with experiance...like driving on ice, storms...high winds, and keeping an eye out for hazzards of every kind...like downed powerlines for example....or a fallen tree.

I'm just scratching the surface. It's 2am and I'm hitting the rack. But first I am giving my rack an inspection...for bed bugs, hookers, broken beer bottles, scorpions, loose springs, hazzardous materials, ...........oh...there are my keys.

 

At shippers......so many forklift drivers and yard dogs think they are invincable. Sometimes the way those yard dogs zip around the lots...its frightening.

Walking between trucks....I admit I do this. Keep your eyes and ears open for brake lights, air brakes, lizzards, muggers, ect.

 

...but watch the lower side vents. Don't want anyone spraying ether in there :wink:

 

Is this urban legend or does this kind of stuff really happen. What would be the point if your doors were locked?

 

See Windwalkers post---Port-a-Potty ettiquette message ! ! !

 

I saw it, disgusting, yes, but it isn't ether, a knock out drug.