Of the many tasks involved in a construction project, gravel hauling may seem like a relatively mundane and simple job. However, as the team at Spallina Materials in Mount Morris, NY, notes, dump truck hauling can quickly turn dangerous if you don’t take the proper precautions. Adhering to a few safety tips will keep you and others safe during this stage of construction.

Here are four tips to follow for safe and effective gravel hauling:

• Ditch the Pickup Truck: While pickup trucks may be useful for hauling many items, gravel isn’t one of them. A pickup truck bed’s lower sides can increase the risk of having your aggregates fly out the top. In addition, the higher access point can make it difficult to load and unload gravel. Because of this, trailers or dump trucks are usually recommended instead.
• Cover the Load: No matter what type of vehicle you use for gravel hauling, it is essential that you cover your load with a plastic tarp or another form of shielding. The last thing you need is for a big gravel chunk to fly into someone else’s windshield and cause an accident.
• Slow Down: The extra weight gravel and other aggregates add to your vehicle can have a huge impact on your vehicle’s handling. Avoid sudden braking or sharp turns, and give yourself extra time to accelerate or slow down. This can help you avoid a deadly accident.
• Know Your Limits: Even heavy duty dump trucks can only carry so much weight. Don’t make the mistake of trying to overload your vehicle. This could cause damage to important parts of your vehicle, creating a dangerous driving situation.

Whether you need help with gravel hauling or an order of ready-mix concrete for your next construction project, the team at Spallina Materials will help ensure you get the job done. To learn more about their products and services or to request a free order estimate, visit them online or call (585) 658-2248. You can also find the company on Facebook.