A heavy vehicle operator died after attempting to release his load on a slope.
Authorities recently examined how a truck driver was killed while dumping a load on uneven surfaces during 2 January 2024.
“[He] died when the trailer tipped over onto the cab of the tractor. The driver was dumping part of the load of gravel from the trailer,” the Mine Safety and Health Administration said in a safety alert.
Investigators recommended the following best practices:
- never overload trucks or trailers
- never move faster than walking speed
- avoid dumping in high or gusty wind conditions
- remove compacted material before reloading trucks
- stay in the cab with the seatbelt on during dumping
- never try to exit or jump from an overturning truck
- keep trucks and trailers in a straight line when backing up
- evenly distribute the load to prevent material from sticking in the truck bed
- dump only on level surfaces, free of spillage with adequate dump point restraints.
