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Our File: 170405‐Hajdu‐OHS‐Hazard Alerts‐Flatbed Trucks 

E-mail: Patty.Hajdu@parl.gc.ca April 5, 2017 Honourable Patricia A. Hajdu Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 Canada Dear Minister: On April 4, 2016, the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) was made aware that the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Directorate at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) had completed work on two new Hazard Alerts, one of which deals with the loading and unloading of flatbed trucks. The purpose of this alert was to provide employees and employers alike with information on how to prevent and eliminate certain risks when loading and unloading these vehicles. As the Hazard Alert notes, there have been several fatal or serious injuries to truck drivers resulting from unstable freight falling from a flatbed trailer and striking the driver. These accidents occurred during loading or unloading operations at sites not under the control of the driver’s employer. In response, CTA surveyed carriers from across Canada on this issue, receiving detailed comments from companies operating over 2,500 flatbed combinations. These responses identified a number of areas that go beyond the issues the Hazard Alert identified. For example, the provision of adequate lighting, proper maintenance of grounds, and the fact that many sites require drivers to tarp their loads off-site, dangerously forcing the driver to perform the task on the side of a public road, among traffic. It should also be noted that while flatbeds are what ESDC focused their Hazard Alert on, these types of issues can be found in many other sectors. For example, grain haulers are often forced to clean residual grain from their vehicles on the side of public roads. Like in the case of tarping, the lack of safe space to perform these tasks at the customer’s facility greatly increases the chance of serious injury when drivers are pushed to an off-site location without the proper safeguards. As part of our survey, CTA collected information on both best practices and poor practices in these areas and has shared these results with the Labour Program. The Alliance also developed a new white board video designed to educate operators of these sites – which are not under the control of the driver’s employer – on best practices while reminding them of their responsibilities to ensure safety on their premises. CTA has been pleased with the response from the Labour Program and we would like to explore with ESDC and you directly how best to promote our messaging. Perhaps a press event highlighting the positive actions of trucking companies and a major retailer to improve flatbed loading safety would be an appropriate launch to this campaign. Additionally, while enforcement of safety standards on many sites in question fall under provincial jurisdiction, CTA would like to explore with you and your department on how best to work with the provinces on this very important issue. It would appear the Canadian Association of Administrators of Labour Legislation would be the appropriate forum for this project. We would welcome your thoughts and support. As always, CTA stands ready to work with you and your staff to ensure Canadians are indeed safe at work. Sincerely, Stephen Laskowski President Canadian Trucking Alliance Attach (2) English/French CTA Flatbed Safety Whiteboard SL\ym

Lighting is abundant and provides clear visibility

Docking ground is level and paved, or at least maintained for evenness

Trained site staff manages traffic while safe forklift operators properly unload and secure freight

Enclosed tarping stations and fall protection provisions are provided

Clear channels of communication between driver and customer staff are established

Workplaces that do things the right way. Best Practices

Many accidents occur at work sites not under the control of a truck driver’s employer. Some factors that can lead to flatbed-related accidents include: Unfamiliarity with customers’ sites; lack of communication with dock operators;

or working or standing near an unsecure load, which can shift or fall. In a survey with trucking companies and drivers of flatbed trucks, CTA catalogued several issues which can lead to serious mishaps around flatbeds.

We also listed some best practices that should be communicated to prevent accidents at shippers’ and receivers’ workplaces.

CTA encourages governments and industrial sectors to SHARE this infographic to promote occupational health and safety

For more info contact: publicaffairs@cantruck.ca

KEEPING FLATBED DRIVERS SAFE AT WORKSITES

SHARE !

CLICK VIDEO LINK HERE

Let’s put an end to flatbed truck accidents

at w

orks

ites!

Forcing drivers to tarp off-site, often on the side of public roads

Lack of, or inadequate lighting at customers’ facility

Unlevel ground in the loading area or poor maintenance of grounds

No fall protection provisions or protection from elements like wind and snow

Lack of communication with customers’ staff, poorly trained staff and no

culture of safety – where drivers are expected to just, sort of, ‘figure it out.’

Poor Practices Conditions that can lead to injuries or fatalities.

We’ll Take I t From Here !

L’éclairage est abondant et procure une bonne visibilité

Le sol au quai de chargement est plat et pavé, ou à tout le moins entretenu pour qu’il soit nivelé

Des stations de bâchage fermées et des mesures de protection contre les chutes sont offertes

Des canaux de communication clairs sont établis entre le conducteur et le client

Du personnel formé gère la circulation alors que des caristes sécuritaires déchargent et sécurisent la cargaison

Meilleures prat iques

Plusieurs accidents surviennent sur des sites qui ne sont pas sous la responsabilité de l’employeur du conducteur. Les facteurs qui peuvent mener à des accidents de camions à plate-forme comprennent : ne pas être familier avec l’environnement au site du client; le manque de communication avec les employés de quai; ou le fait de travailler ou de se tenir près d’une cargaison non sécuritaire pouvant se déplacer ou tomber. Dans un sondage mené auprès des entreprises et des conducteurs de camions à plate-forme, l’Alliance canadienne du camionnage (ACC) a répertorié de nombreux problèmes pouvant entraîner de sérieux accidents autour de ces camions. Nous avons aussi établi certaines des meilleures pratiques qui, nous croyons, devraient être communiquées afin d’éviter des accidents sur les lieux de travail des expéditeurs et des réceptionnaires.

L’ACC encourage les gouvernements et les secteurs industriels à PARTAGER cette infographie afin de promouvoir la santé-sécurité au travail

Pour des renseignements additionnels, contactez :

publicaffairs@cantruck.ca

ASSURER LA SÉCUR ITÉ DES CONDUCTEURS DE CAMIONS À PLATE-FORME SUR LES LIEUX DE TRAVAIL

PARTAGER!

CLIQUEZ SUR LE LIEN VIDÉO ICI

Mettons fin aux accidents de camion à plate-forme s

ur le

s lie

ux d

e tr

avai

l!

Obliger les chauffeurs à bâcher hors du lieu de travail, souvent sur le bord des routes publiques

Manque d’éclairage ou éclairage inadéquat aux installations du client

Sol inégal dans la zone de chargement ou mauvais entretien du terrain

Absence de mesures pour éviter les chutes ou absence de protection contre les

intempéries comme le vent et la neige

Manque de communication avec le personnel du client, personnel mal formé et absence de

culture de sécurité – on s’attend à ce que les conducteurs «comprennent d’eux-mêmes»

Mauvaises prat iques Conditions pouvant mener à des blessures ou des décès.

Plusieurs lieux de travail font bien les choses.

On s’en occupe à part ir demaintenant

S O N DAG E

DANG E R E U X

S É C U R I TA I R E