Safety is of paramount importance to every PRO’s business. While personal protective equipment is often discussed and demonstrated, vehicle safety equipment should also be emphasized. As with any discussion involving safety, the reader is strongly encouraged to further investigate the specific safety regulations and requirements for their own state(s) and localities in which they provide service.  

Question: Our company is highly focused on employee safety and the importance of PPE in the field. We train on this topic on a regular basis. Could you provide us with some additional information on vehicle safety equipment to supplement our training program? 

Answer: “Be prepared” has been the motto of the Boy Scouts of America since 1907 and we feel that this is an excellent strategy to adopt when reflecting upon vehicle safety. Safety of the driver, of the vehicle and of the general public must all be considered when developing your company’s safety equipment needs.

Keeping in mind that your state and local safety regulations are your guide, here are some vehicle safety equipment items that PROs have found beneficial over the years:

Emergency Reflective Triangles

The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration requires warning devices for stopped vehicles and three bidirectional emergency reflective triangles are the standard. These are commonly purchased with a storage case that can accommodate these triangles when not in use. 

When a truck must pull over and stop due to a mechanical issue or incident, the vehicle is ideally moved to the shoulder on the right side of the road. Given this strategy, the warning triangles should be stored on the passenger side of the truck to protect the driver from ongoing traffic. 

After turning on the truck’s four-way flashers, the triangles should then be opened and turned into their freestanding position. Depending on road conditions and traffic patterns, one triangle should be placed 10 feet behind the back of the vehicle closest to the side where traffic is approaching. The second triangle is generally placed 100 feet behind the vehicle in the center of that lane that the vehicle occupies. The third triangle should be placed 100 feet in front of the vehicle in the center of the lane that the vehicle occupies.

On one-way roads, there is not a need to place a triangle in front of the truck as all vehicles will be approaching from the rear. Place another triangle 200 feet from the rear of the vehicle so that all three triangles will be visible to approaching traffic.          

Fire Extinguishers

Required by FMCSA for all commercial vehicles, fire extinguishers have a rating scale as established by the Underwriters Laboratory. There are five classes of fire:

A - Ordinary combustibles (wood, paper, cloth, and trash)

B - Flammable liquids and gases (gasoline, oil, paint)

C - Live electrical equipment (wires and wiring)

D - Combustible metals and alloys (magnesium, titanium, potassium, sodium)

K – Combustible cooking media (fats, oils)

A number is then assigned to the unit based on the number of square feet that can be extinguished by the device. Since our waste is nonhazardous, five B-C extinguishers are required for all vehicles as our trucks have gas, oil and wiring elements.

Fire extinguishers should be mounted inside the cab of the truck in a visible area on the passenger side of the vehicle where the driver can easily reach over and release the extinguisher from the mount. Fire extinguishers must be inspected annually, and inspection tags should be maintained and attached to the extinguisher at all times. Training in the proper use of fire extinguishers should be a part of your company’s safety plan.

Wheel Chocks

These wedges prevent vehicles and trailers from moving backward or forward while parked or idle. They are used in pairs and are placed against the rear tires in the direction of any slope.

A chock should be wider than the tire’s diameter. The height of these wedges should be roughly one-quarter of the height measurement of the tires. For example, a 36-inch tire requires at least an 8-inch wheel chock. Most PROs prefer four-wheel chocks for maximum flexibility of use. Training in usage and placement is also recommended.

Other Equipment

Several other pieces of equipment can add to vehicle safety:

Safety cones – These plastic devices can be used in front of and behind trucks in parking lots or on construction sites to alert others to not park near the vehicle. Safety cones can also augment the reflective triangles in emergency situations to further bring attention to the situation.

Safety flags – Generally 18 inches square, these flags can be affixed to areas to further draw attention when a truck or trailer is either pulled over or is parked in a high traffic area. Often the flags have a band of reflective tape on the seam or even two bands crossed to further attract attention. Have a supply of strong zip ties on hand to secure these flags as needed.

Battery jumper cables – It is easier to get vehicles to assist when their battery power is all that is needed. Construction job sites have numerous types of vehicles and equipment that can assist if you have the proper cable available.

Tire gauge – While many PROs have tire gauges on the yard for use with pre- and post-trip inspections, a tire gauge on the truck is useful to determine tire damage in the field. 

Solicit drivers input as to further ideas for additional safety items. 

Don’t Forget

PPE is a major component of your safety plan and training program. First-aid kits, safety glasses, hard hats, steel-toed boots with proper treads, work gloves, and reflective vests are all vital for employee safety. Expand the emphasis on vehicle safety equipment and your employees will realize that they are even further protected.