It’s spring cleaning season and for PROs that means getting the work trucks in tip-top shape to handle longer, more hectic daily service routes. Part of that routine should be to pull everything out of the cab and make sure all safety gear is up-to-date, functional and within handy reach for your drivers. Here’s a list of supplies and equipment you may want to add to every service vehicle in your fleet:
Daily safety gear bag
Each truck or driver should be furnished with a safety gear bag with supplies meant to address a variety of emergency situations. These items should include a cellphone charger and alkaline batteries, ear plugs or earmuffs, a blanket, bottled water and food (such as energy bars), a rain poncho and rope. Since the arrival of the COVID-19 virus, consider adding disposable N95 masks and face shields to protect workers and the general public from spreading disease.
Further, stock a first-aid kit with supplies appropriate to running a service route. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration doesn’t get specific but states “adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available,” meaning what you carry should meet the hazards you could expect on the job. Items could include gauze and bandages, medical tape, a SAM (structural aluminum malleable) splint, trauma shears, Steri-Strips, biodegradable soaps, antibiotics and eye wash supplies.
Check the contents of the bag regularly to make sure it is well stocked and items are replaced as necessary due to age or deterioration. A cursory check should be done as part of your daily walk-around inspection of the truck. A more thorough inspection should be done monthly or quarterly as needed.
Gloves
Carry two types of gloves. The first are disposable rubber gloves to protect hands from exposure to chemicals or infections that can be transmitted through handling waste. The most common options are made from latex or nitrile material and should be 4 to 8 mils thick; 5 to 8-mil thickness is more appropriate for industrial workers in more demanding conditions.
Which to choose? Latex gloves are made of a durable natural rubber usually coated with a powder. Some people have allergies to latex because of the powder. Latex doesn’t hold up as well to chemicals and solvents; however, they provide excellent dexterity. Nitrile gloves are made of synthetic rubber and don’t pose the same allergy risk. They are also durable and are highly resistant to chemical and solvents, as well as punctures and tears. They are not as comfortable to wear for long periods.
Also carry leather work gloves to protect hands from cuts and abrasions. Finger injuries make up more than 25% of workplace accidents, and PROs are subject to a lot of cutting or crushing injuries as they move portable restrooms in the field. Look for split cowhide and padded palms, and gloves that allow dexterity, good grip and cut and crush resistance.
Hard hats
OSHA calls for hard hats when employees work in areas where they could suffer head injuries from impact, or from falling or flying objects, or from electrical shock and burns … so basically most construction sites. Look for hard hats that meet ANSI Z89.1-2003, 2009 or 1997 standards for industrial head protection. Type 1 hard hats reduce the force of impact from the top only. Type 2 protect the top and side of the head. Class E and G helmets also provide electrical protection. Hard hats (marked HV) also provide added visibility for workers on job sites. Hardhats marked for “reverse donning” can be worn frontward or backward.
OSHA says hard hats that have cracks, dents, penetrations or wear from rough usage should be replaced. Most manufacturers recommend replacement every five years.
Reflective wear
Reflective apparel should be available at all times in case drivers are working near roadside traffic, at busy events or construction sites with trucks and machines working. Carry lightweight vests all year and consider adding reflective jackets and caps during cold weather service. Acceptable colors are fluorescent lime, orange and red, with retroreflective tape that lights up when illuminated by headlights. OSHA regulations call for a certain number of square inches of background material and reflective tape; all manufacturers likely follow these guidelines. Reflective gear comes in three levels of visibility, with level 3 being the safest. Carry multiple vests if more than one worker is ever in the service vehicle.
Fire extinguisher
One of every eight fires responded to by emergency departments is for a highway vehicle fire. About half of these fires are caused by leaking fuel or other mechanical failures. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires every commercial vehicle to be equipped with a UL-rated (a 5 B:C, or two 4 B:C for non-hazardous waste carriers) fire extinguisher. Look for the appropriate labeling. It’s important to locate and secure the fire extinguishers where they are readily accessible to the driver. Dry chemical extinguishers are usually good for up to six years, but some are rated for 12 years before replacement.
Jump starter
There was a time when the best you could do to protect against vehicle battery failure was carrying jumper cables and enlisting the help of another motorist. Today, every truck in your fleet should carry a portable jump starter pack. These compact power packs are available to provide the 1,500 to 2,000 amps necessary to start a commercial truck with a dead battery. You can’t just put it in the truck and forget about it, though. While the packs will hold a charge for up to 18 months, it’s best to top off the charging power through a USB connection every six months to a year. The jump packs typically also come with USB charging ports for your phone or other electronics, and often include an emergency light source.
Safety glasses or goggles
Eye injuries are common, and PROs face significant risks of splashing while handling chemicals, suction hoses and power washers. OSHA requires appropriate face and eye protection when exposed to flying particles, liquid chemicals, caustic liquids, gases or vapors. OSHA relies on the ANSI Z87.1 standard so look for that marking on glasses or goggles you purchase. Because of the work they do, PROs need significant side and front protection, so your best choices may be goggles or glasses with side protection. Be sure to have plenty of glasses or goggles in inventory in case they are damaged or scratched and require quick replacement.
Window breaker
A window-breaking tool or emergency hammer offers cheap protection should a vehicle end up in the water with the driver trapped inside, or following a crash where the electric windows or seatbelts malfunction. These devices are designed to easily break through truck window glass. They also have a sharp blade that can be used to slice through seat belts to free a driver or passenger. They come with a mounting bracket that will allow easy access to the user. There are two types — a hammer with a hardened steel tip or a spring-loaded device that automates the process.
Weather radio
Now that everyone carries a cellphone, we no longer think about what happens if drivers are stranded where they can’t get a cell signal. A pocket AM/FM/weather radio can be bought for about $20 and provide news, traffic or instant weather reports from any location. Some are charged via USB, while others use AA or AAA alkaline batteries. Some models also have a hand-crank dyno charger that can be used to power phone batteries, as well as an emergency flashlight with SOS strobing. Buy one for every vehicle in your fleet and keep it in the glovebox.
Traffic safety equipment
Every truck should carry a kit with reflective triangles, cones and road flares in the event of a breakdown, especially at night. And LED road flares are making the process of marking vehicles much safer. The incendiary road flares you are used to can create a fire hazard, they can burn out quickly and are not reusable. LED flares offer more reliable light, are safe to place near vehicles that may be leaking fuel and will work for up to 36 hours and can then be recharged or have the batteries replaced. Further the LED flares often offer a variety of light patterns to attract more attention, and they are magnetic so they can be attached to your truck.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Performing a safety equipment inventory will protect your most valuable assets — your people — as we approach the busy season for restroom providers. What did I miss in my roundup? What new and interesting ways do you set up your trucks for safety? Let me know and I’ll share your thoughts and ideas with readers in a future column.
