Equipments & Automotive Safety

Equipment & Automotive Safety

 

General

1. Without question, the most important piece of “equipment & automotive is  the operator. Operation errors of one kind or another are responsible for most  fatalities on our sites, streets and highways each year.
2. Through the various drier Improvement courses taught to employees it is   expected of master the “ Seeing Habits for Expert operation “ Those habits are:
   • One  Aim high in steering.
   • Two. Get the big picture.
   • Three.Keep your eyes moving.
   • Four.  Make sure they see you.
   • Five. Leave yourself an out.
3. A vehicle should not be driven until one is familiar with its operation. It is also the driver’s responsibility to see that the vehicle is in safe operating condition at all times.
4. Windshield wipers, washers and defrosters should be checked frequently and maintained in good condition. Rear window defrosters are recommended for use in areas of prolonged cold weather.
5. Windshields, windows and rear-view mirrors should be kept clean and rear-view mirrors should always be properly adjusted.
6. Tire chains should be kept in good condition and should be used when warranted. Studded tires are also recommended for both front and rear wheels, where condition warrant and state and local laws permit.
7. 5-Tools, equipment, hard hats, boxes and the like should not be carried loose in the diving compartments of cars or trucks. Loose items are to be carried in the truck, separate compartment, or in appropriate racks.
8. 6-Only a tire jack must not under a car or truck support employees. Cribbing stands which are designed for that purpose are to be used. Wheels must by checked.
9. 7- Engines are not to be run in closed garages unless there adequate ventilation to remove the exhaust fumes from the building.
10. 8-   Operators & Drivers must know and obey all city, state or provincial rules and regulations and must be able to recognize and obey all warning signs, signals and road markers.
11. 9-   Every operator and driver must realize that “too fast for conditions” is often well below the legal limit, under adverse conditions.
12. 10-  Safety belts must be worn by all occupants of operating vehicles.
13. 11-  If prescription glasses or hearing aids are placed on a persons drivers license as a restriction, they must be worn while diving a Company vehicle.
14. 12-  Before backing any vehicle, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure the route over which he is to travel is clear.
15. 13-  When entering a street or highway from a garage, driveway, alley or lease road, the vehicle should be brought to a complete stop and not moved until the way is known for certain to be clear.
16. 14-  Before pulling away from a curb or road should, check traffic, signal and move into the flow of traffic without delay when safe to do so.
17. 15-  Whenever a driver is in doubt in any traffic situation it is best to play “safe” by driving defensively and take nothing for granted.
18. 16-  Pedestrians always have the right-of-way in vehicular traffic. Allow them plenty of room.
19. 17-  In any area where children are present in the traffic scene a driver must automatically slow down, use extreme caution and expect the unexpected.
20. 18-  When a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing vehicles from all directions must come to a complete stop and wait until the red lights are turned off.
21. 19-  Vehicles approaching a school bus from the opposite direction on a highway divided by a median are not required to stop in most states. Drivers should, however, use extreme caution whenever a school bus is encountered which is loading or unloading children.
22. 20-  When passing other vehicles a diver must make sure there is ample room in all direction. Passing is not to be attempted on a hill, curve, in a school zone, or when approaching intersections, side roads or bridges. The “No Passing” zones are to be observed at all times.
23. 21-  When a driver signals his intention to pass, he should be given all the room one can safety give-never speed up.
24. 22-  When a vehicle is approaching on a narrow bridge or section of road, pull to the right, stop and let it pass. Courtesy is one of the first rules of diving.
25. 23-  When driving down steep down-grades a lower gear should be used. This will give the driver better control of the vehicle and reduce the possibility of brake failure.
26. 24-  Signals must be given far enough in advance to warn other drivers of ones intention of turning, stopping or changing lanes.
27. 25-  When a driver approaches a “blind” intersection, he should assume another car is approaching from a side direction. In most cases it is necessary to come to a complete stop, check for traffic and then proceed when it has been determined safe to do so.
28. 26-  When making a left turn, they should be made as square as possible. In any event, the driver should not” cut “the corner while making a left turn.
29. 27-  A driver must never contest the right-of-way.
30. 28-  When it is necessary to reverse directions “U” turns should not be made. It much safety to use a driveway in which to turn around or go around the block.
31. 29-  The horn on a vehicle is warning signal device. It should not be used for any other purpose.
32. 30-  A driver should not “tail-gate” the vehicle in front of him. The general rule to follow is to allow one car length for every 10 miles per hour as bare minimum between the vehicles. Another rule of thumb is to follow at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front. Under adverse conditions it is necessary to increase following distance. Collision with a vehicle in front is inexcusable.
33. 31-  Many accidents are the direct result of driver falling asleep at the wheel. When one feels sleepy he should pull off the road, stop and take a break
34. 32-  Driving a vehicle requires full attention of the operator reading maps, notes, work orders, etc. should be avoided while the vehicle is in motion.
35. 33-  Mobile phones or radio transmitters should be used sparingly while the vehicle is in motion. It is best to pull over and stop before using the mobile hone or radio transmitter.
36. 34-  A stalled car or truck should not be started by pulling or pushing. A pair of battery jumper cables should be in every vehicle and should be properly used whenever the engine will not start on its own power.
37. 35-  When it is necessary to tow a vehicle, drive slowly, turn on the emergency flashers of each vehicle and take every precaution necessary to avoid a hazardous situation.
38. 36-  Vehicles should always be parked where they will not interfere with safe movement of traffic. They should not be double parked, even for short periods of time.
39. 37-  A vehicle with a radio transmitter shall not be parked within 500 feet of blasting, shooting or perforating unless the transmitter is shut off and so secured it will not unthinkingly be turned on.
40. 38-  Before leaving a parked vehicle, the following stops are to be taken by the driver:
41. Be sure the vehicle to be parked is in legal and safe parking zone or area.
42. Turn the wheels into the curb or should of the street or road. EXCEPTION: when parking on an up-grade of a curbed street, wheels should be turned from the curb with rear of front wheel resting against the curb
43. With the brake pedal depressed, set the parking brake .
44. If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, place the shift lever in “park” for standard transmission, place the vehicle in low gear if in an up-grade, reverse gear if on a down-grade.
45. Turn off the engine.
46. 39-  When hooking up jumper cables the following procedures should be following. These procedures will help minimize the chance of injury from an exploding battery and prevent damage to the electrical equipment:
47. Before connecting cables ensure both vehicles a negative grounding system.
48. The stalled vehicle and the booster vehicle must not be in contact with one another. If two vehicles are touching, a ground connection is established which causes sparks and increases the danger of explosion when jumper cables are connected .
49. Before jumper cables are connected all batter-operated accessories should be in their off position. The parking brake should be set and the vehicle should be in either neutral or park .
50. When connecting the jumper cable, first connect one end of the cable to the positive terminal of the booster battery and the other end of the same cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery. THEN, connect the one end of the second jumper cable to the negative terminal of the booster battery and the other end of the same cable to a ground connection located least 12” from the filler opening of the dead battery.  DO NOT attach this negative jumper cable directly to the negative terminal of the dead battery.
51. After the stalled vehicle is started, remove the jumper cables in the reverse order of step above. Disconnect the ground connection first.

Trucks

The items under topic A above pertain to the operation and maintenance of Company motor vehicles-cars, and trucks of all kinds. The following additional items are safety procedures for the drivers of trucks and pickups.

1. Lug bolts on the wheels of all pickups and trucks should be checked at least once a week to be sure they are tight.
2. Tires should be inspected at least once a week for damage and proper inflation. In severe service, this should be done daily.
3. Fire extinguishers, flares and emergency reflectors should be checked weekly to be sure they are in operable condition and that have been damaged.
4. All trucks and special pickups must be equipped with approved warning devices for stopped vehicles, in accordance with the Motor Carrier Safety Regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation. These devices should carried by other vehicles when deemed advisable. One warning device should be placed on the traffic side of the stopped vehicle within 10 feet of the front or rear of the approximately 100 feet ahead of the stopped vehicle and both in the center of the lane of traffic or shoulder occupied by the vehicle.
5. Trucks and pickups should be thoroughly inspected at once each month and spot checked each day with particular emphasis on seat belts, light, horn, brakes, windshield wipers and washers and steering assembly. Needed repairs should be made promptly.
6. When inflating with retaining-ring type rims, cages should be used. Employees must keep all parts of the body clear to reduce injury should the rim separate under pressure.
7. Never pound on a tire with retaining-ring type rim while being inflated.
8. Steering knobs are not permitted on Company vehicles.
9. Employees are not to ride on the beds of trucks or   pickups. If adequate searing is not available in the passenger compartment, another vehicle should be dispatched.
10. Trucks are not to cross unguarded railroad crossing until the driver is absolutely certain no train is approaching. If necessary, the driver should come to a compete stop, look and listen before proceeding.
11. Trucks with gin pole loads should not be moved any more than necessary. If moved any appreciable distance, the loads must be secured to keep it from swinging. Trucks with loads suspended from wire lines should not be driven on roads or highways until the load is properly secured.
12. Trucks with gin poles booms raised are never to be moved in the vicinity of overhead electrical wires unless someone in full view of the driver and the overhead wires is guiding the move to insure that the gin poles or booms never get within 10 feet to overhead wires.
13. Employees should not get under raised gin poles whether loaded or not, except to tie the load or hook or unhook the tail chain.
14. An employee, should not position himself under any part of a load which has been raised by gin poles.
15. A load should not be lifted by gin poles if it tends to raise the front wheels off the ground. Either readjust the gin poles or use a larger truck.
16. Portable drilling units are not to be moved while the mast is in a raised position.
17. The driver of a winch truck is responsible for the condition of the winch line. The supervisor in charge of the truck should however, periodically check its condition
18. Winch lines are to be cut back or replaced when strands begin to wear out and break. Frayed ends should be cut off and the end of the line brazed.
19. A winch line must not be spooled by hand unless another workman is at the controls of the unit. Gloves should be worn while handling winch lines and the line should not be allowed to slide through the hands. Never touch the line where it is close to the reel.
20. When not in use, the hook should be securely fastened to the bed of the truck or other fastening, the line pulled snug and the winch brake set. The tail chain should not be pilled into the winch.
21. Winch lines should not be used for assistance in climbing onto truck beds.
22. All employees should stand clear, as much as possible, when the winch is in use. If a pulley or snub is being used, never stand in the “V” of the line.
23. Men should not stand between the truck and load being moved as long as there is a strain on the winch line.
24. When it is necessary to move heavy material with truck or tractor, the supervisor in charge of the job should plan it carefully. Each man’s work should be clearly explained, as completed coordination of the entire crew is necessary.
25. Trucks equipped with winches should have “ headache” guards to protect the cab and driver.
26. Power line poles or telephone poles should not be used as a snub for a winch line when material is being moved or the unit is stuck.
27. Any trailer attached which is of sufficient strength to hold the trailer if the hitch should fail.
28. Bolsters on trucks and trailers must be made of wood or be inlaid with wood to insure proper binding of the load.
29. Truck loads should be boomed on the right side with the boomer handle down, when fastened.
30. Boomers and chains must be of the right size for each other and be of sufficient strength to properly hold the load.
31. Workmen must not allow any part of their bodies to be directly over the boomer handle when tightening or releasing boomers.
32. At least one boomer chain should be securely fastened before anyone gets under the load to fasten additional chains.
33. All normal pipe loads are to be doomed with at least two chains of adequate size and strength.
34. Ends of boomer chains should be secured and not allowed to drag.
35. In hauling pipe, the load should be boomed as tightly as possible before starting and then checked and re-tightened if necessary, after traveling a short distance.
36. Any load extending from a truck or trailer, rear, front or sides, must be properly flagged before entering a roadway.
37. A truck other type unit from which pipe is to be unloaded should be spotted directly parallel to the rack to insure that pipe will roll evenly down the skids.
38. Pipe skids must be of adequate strength and length to handle the load and they should be securely fastened to the truck and trailer during unloading operations.
39. Before any load is unbowed, it must be checked on both sides to determine that stakes, bolster dogs and anything else holding the load are in place so the load will hold when chains are released.
40. After skids are in place and chains have been removed workmen should not get on the load, under the load or between the load and the rack for any reason.
41. If a load starts to roll or fall off a truck-get in the clear. Make no attempt to stop it.
42. When unloading or loading pipe. It should be handled from the ends only. Stay alert and get in the clear if the joint or the load gets out of control.
43. When stringing pipe, workmen should stay at the rear of the truck any time it is moving.
44. Employees handing trucks or truck loads must be thoroughly experienced and/or be closely supervised.