Recently, a very experienced driver who has become a trusted member of a networking group I put together contacted me privately to express concerns about potential security risks at a customer’s location:
I’m having a hard birth. I know not to worry, but I can’t figure out how to get out without rolling the trailer. … Not enough room to turn a corner to go back up the hill to the gate. There is a railing above right corner of the building, there is not enough room to go around the corner without grabbing the guardrail.
To get over the guardrail, the operator feared he would have to swing wide, which would place him on a substantial embankment where he could easily roll the platform.
Then he would have to come back, with his own challenges. Its trailer was a “Spread 53 feet with a Volvo 860 tractor, low to the ground. I can come in, probably, he said. “But going out could put me at risk. I’ve raised the alarm but so far, my employer is just ignoring my concerns.”
A few days later, I had a conversation with the operator, who reached out to his company asking a conference call or a discussion about this shipment,” he said. as the meeting is a week away.”
Sometimes, each of us can benefit through the simple act of sharing worries. Chances are your inner circle won’t hold back their thoughts, and truck drivers have no shortage of them, too, their own stories of not just avoiding an accident, but when the damage was done.
If we are honest, we can recognize our bad decisions.
Take a moment periodically and simply reflect on the tens of thousands of decisions made every day. There is simply no way to expect perfection. Tune in to your gut feelings and intuition — they can be one of our most valuable tools. Fear should not be ignored. It is one of the emotional motivations that naturally helps us protect ourselves.
I put the operator’s woes to the seasoned OTR veterans in the Truck Business Network group, asking for their thoughts and experiences. Below, a collection of what these distant mentors, so to speak, had to say.
Jerry Fritz: Newark, New Jersey. I had to deal with this when I was an independent contractor because there was hazardous material on the property near where I would be returning. After the foreman and I got into an argument, I got upset and called 911 to have the fire department come. Soon, when the fire engine showed up, the managers also ran out, finding the foreman completely red-faced and not such a tough guy.
The lead fireman takes over, instructing the tough guy to clear this yard, move some stacks of pallets, etc., while the executives stand by and watch. One of the firefighters, who used to be a truck driver, told me that this place would soon be getting a full hazmat inspection. After the discharge, I called my contractor’s security department and referred the claims. The claims director said that if this were to happen again to call the insurance claims, and they would handle the situation, which could include moving the load to a safe location determined by the trucking company.
I was told, “Don’t call dispatch or operations. Call security or insurance claims. Take pictures and send them to safety.”
I was a union owner-operator at the time and didn’t have to worry about losing my job for taking a stand on safety issues.
Clifford Petersen: Refuse to do it. Either they make safe accommodations, or it goes back to sender.
William Ponzo: It’s all about communication and finding the safest way to do things you’re comfortable with. I am a driver for hire so I would send video/photos to my security department with concerns. We’re professionals and are expected to deliver to the silliest of places, but it’s all about comfort level. Move slowly and steadily and have spotters in all areas of concern and stop to get out and look at yourself too. You may have to negotiate the additional cost of moving the goods from your truck to a smaller one as an option.
Cliff Abbott: Ask the hard question — “Is it unsafe or just challenging?” If it’s uncertain, you’re the captain of that 18-wheeler, so make the right decision and don’t panic. The people making the claims won’t be there to protect you if something happens.
Bill Ater: Many times, I have dealt with situations on the job where I have been told that we will be pulling or pushing the truck and trailer in or out. I just say, “No, find something else.” Yes, there is a factory pull pin, it’s for looks. I don’t tear my truck off the road for anyone.
[Related: America’s craziest interstate? Weigh in]
However we approach the situation, the fact is that, as Cliff Abbott also noted, “Challenging customer locations are high risk!” Mitigating this risk is the basic responsibility of a small business truck driver. Who owns the responsibility and liability if something happens? As Bill Ater suggested, if it’s not you.
If you are in the position of hiring and managing drivers, there can be a very good return on your investment, moreover, by educating employees and independent contractors, as well as office staff from top to bottom, about their role in preventing accidents. accidents.
Effective communication will help mitigate risks, as William Ponzo suggested.
- Make it a habit to ask for a customer contact and phone number. If you can’t get the information from a broker or your company, use the Internet, including online map sites for company locations. Many times you will find a phone number. Make the necessary calls safely, but keep your load information up front. This will enable you to provide complete and accurate information and help everyone connect the dots.
- Study satellite images of any country that may be a challenge. You can get street views for multiple people, allowing you to see what entrances look like, maybe even corners you’ll need to turn, etc. Doing this routinely will also reduce the risk of entering or exiting routes that may be restricted, particularly for gross and bridge weights, width, length or dangerous goods.
Everyone wants good customer service, so be proactive and find out what can — no, MUST — to be done together with the client.
[Related: Parties other than carriers now subject to enforcement under the Coercion Rule]
When COOPERATION it comes out short like shaking
Never accept obligation, when staff or managers use pressure and influence to push drivers into dangerous situations. So many of us see ourselves as the type of person who will go the extra mile for people, obviously customers. It is likely that we all know a situation where a driver has succumbed to coercive pressure, learning very hard lessons if the damage done was irreversible.
Forcing a truck driver to break a regulation is prohibited in regulations today. like defined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, it “occurs when a motor carrier, shipper, consignee, or transportation broker threatens to stop work, take employment action against, or punish a driver for refusing to operate in violation of certain provisions of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), materials Regulations (HMR) and the Federal Commercial Motor Carrier Regulations (FMCCR).
[Related: Cracks in the System: Blowing the whistle on coercion]
It can be found that “it has occurred even if a violation has not occurred,” FMCSA’s guidance continues. “An example of duress is when a motor carrier terminates a driver for refusing to accept a load that would require the driver to violate hours-of-service requirements.” For violations of federal tort prohibitions to have occurred, the driver must be able to document that they knew the desired assignment would in fact violate the regulations and that they communicated it to the offending party. Then that party threatens or takes action”against the driver’s employment or employment opportunities to compel the driver to take the load regardless of the regulatory violation that would occur.”
Being told by a sender that every other driver just does what we say it will not protect you in the event of an accident or injury. To quote Cliff Abbot again, you really are the “captain of that 18-wheeler” and it is your responsibility, ultimately, to make decisions that keep you and others safe. Developing a greater appreciation for preventative practices will add value over time by preventing claims and reducing lost costs for repairs, injuries, and even losing a customer.
As I finished along with this story, I received a message from the driver who initially asked for help. Apparently, they were able to slowly reverse their course once loaded, maneuvering the truck and trailer back up a somewhat uncomfortable grade off-site, then onto the highway to exit with a huge sigh of relief.
We can say that all is well that ends well. Thanks to whoever shared the predicament. Maybe the discussion helps you stay safer on the road.
Find out more about the 2016 FMCSA Enforcement Rule and how to recognize and report incidents of enforcement at overact2019 series “Cracks in the System”.
Find out more about FMCSA’s Compliance Rule and customer safety and management at overact and ATBS co-production updated annually “Partners in Business” book for new and established owner-operators, a comprehensive guide to running a small trucking business sponsored for 2024 by Rush Truck Centers dealer network. Follow this link to download the latest edition of Business Partners for free.