Safety is paramount when you’re operating heavy equipment. This is especially vital for contractors who are renting machinery for a specialized job. C & W Trucking in Bayfield, WI, suggests several job safety basics to ensure your next equipment rental runs smoothly.

Trucking Safety Essentials For Contractors

Know Your Vehicle

Before operating a rented vehicle, familiarize yourself with the equipment’s height, weight, and load limits. Check your tire pressure and ensure all other necessary pieces are working correctly. Perform these safety checks every day before beginning work.  

Take Your Time

When you’re hauling a heavy load, drive slowly. Especially while backing up a large truck or unloading a dump truck, being slow and diligent will ensure no accidents occur. Don’t cut corners for the sake of time. Delays may be expensive, but they are not nearly as destructive as a trucking accident can be.

Load Smart

Always ensure that whatever cargo you’re hauling is balanced and properly secured. Know the load limits on each axle of a trailer and balance the total weight accordingly. Load a dump truck evenly, beginning at the center of the box. If you’re trucking free-flowing material like sand and gravel, pile it toward the top end of the box.

Unload On Stable Ground

Never unload a dump truck on uneven ground. Even a small imbalance can become dangerous quickly once the box is raised. The area surrounding the truck should be stable, safe, and clear of obstacles before beginning to unload.

C & W Trucking has been providing excavation services and equipment in Bayfield and across northern Wisconsin for over 40 years. They specialize in bulldozing, land clearing, and demolition. Their fleet includes dump trucks, tractor trailers, and bulldozers fit to handle a wide variety of challenging jobs. To get a free estimate on a job, hire a contractor, or rent equipment for your own crew, call (715) 779-­5628.