Becoming a truck driver can be a great choice for those who want a secure and well-paying job. Truck drivers travel across the country and can find security in knowing that they work in an industry that makes the economy go. Because of the level of difficulty involved in driving a big rig, you will need adequate training before you ever hit the road on your own. If you wish to become a big rig truck driver, investigate what the regulations are in your state and find a good truck driving school to attend.
Enroll in a truck driving school. The truck driving school will train you in all you need to know about driving big rigs and prepare you to get your Class A commercial driver's license. Check if the truck driving school is certified to ensure that the school is of good quality. Many schools are not certified, but you may feel better about the school if it is.
Ask the truck driving school instructors how much time you will spend behind the wheel. Many times, the schools will tell you how many hours their class is, but you want to make sure you have enough time behind the wheel to get the feel and experience of driving a truck. You don't want to finish the class and not feel comfortable behind the wheel.
If you don't have the money to attend a truck driving school, ask the schools about payment plans. Many truck driving schools will loan you the money for their school and let you make a payment plan. Inquire about this when talking to them.
After attending school, you will need to pass the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) exam, administered by the United States Department of Transportation. You'll also have to pass a physical exam. The physical exam will need to be taken every two years, and when you pass you will be given a green card to carry with you at all times when you are driving. Your truck driving school will let you know about these requirements and, when you are ready, will set you up to pass your written test and driving test for your Class A commercial driver's license.
Once you have completed your truck driving school, you will have obtained your Class A commercial driver's license. This is the license that shows that you can handle a big rig on the road and is what you need to get hired as a truck driver. Some schools will help you network with employers after you have received your Class A license.
Showing posts with label Truck. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Truck. Show all posts
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Thursday, August 9, 2012
How to Avoid Danger When Operating a Vacuum Truck!
When operating any type of heavy-duty equipment, safety should always be a top priority, especially when the equipment being used is a massive extracting machine such as a vacuum truck. These vehicles are particularly useful since they are a very powerful machine that can remove just about any kind of debris. It must be noted that, while the ability to create a very powerful suction makes the job of an operator much faster, it also makes the job much more dangerous. One small error in the placement of the extraction hose can lead to serious work-related injuries.
Potential Injuries
In order to have a picture of how this equipment can become potentially lethal when misused, listed below are some real life stories of workers who encountered near-death experiences when operating this powerful vehicle:
Vacuumed Limb - A vacuum truck operator had already begun extracting debris when the hose encountered a blockage. The worker manually removed the blockage with his arm; however, he did not turn the equipment off while removing the obstruction. When the debris that was stuck dislodged, the pressure that had built up in the hose removed the worker's limb by the greater vacuum power before the worker could remove it.
Toxic Fume Mishap Three vacuum truck workers were removing waste water from a well. The workers did not know that the storage tank of the truck contained sludge that did not mix well with water. As the workers extracted the waste water, it combined with the sludge inside the tank and caused a chemical reaction which generated toxic fumes. One of the crew members became disoriented while another completely passed out from the toxic gas. Thankfully one was able to seek medical assistance before something more serious happened.
These accidents were not caused by poor design. In fact, vacuum trucks are equipped with numerous safety features designed to protect the workers; however, accidents still occur due to the lack of knowledge on the part of operators regarding work-site safety hazards as well as a lack of proper implementation of safety features.
Important Safety Guidelines
Use Only Certified Vacuum Truck Operators - Due to the variety of liquids that vacuum trucks handle, every operator should know the proper way of handling various types of liquids in the safest manner possible. Only proper training and certification can provide these workers with the knowledge they need to operate the equipment safely and under all conditions.
Use Personal Protective Equipment - During training, some of the important knowledge that operators learn about is the proper way to use personal protective equipment such as personal alarms and air-supplied respirators. Workers must also learn the hazards involved in handling toxic fluids and the possibility of a gas explosion. Equally important, they need to learn how to respond if such an emergency should arise.
Conduct a Pre-Operation Inspection - Before taking the vehicle on the road, it is important for operators to conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle to ensure that all of its components are in good operating condition. They should inspect every part of the equipment from top to bottom.
Carefully Check Vacuum Components - The vacuuming components of the vehicle should also be checked daily. Operators should be sure that: all removable components are in place; all water tanks are full; and no crack or puncture is present in the hose. The storage tank, filter bag house, and cyclone separators should be free from any substance that might react to the fluid to be extracted.
Conduct Site-Specific Orientation - Before starting the job, all employees should first be provided with specific information about the job site including the material to be handled. Workers should be informed about the risks involved and how the material should be handled in the safest manner. Employees should also be briefed on what to do in case an emergency arises.
Maintain a Log of Transported Fluids - Operators should always fill out a log for each vehicle regarding all fluids that were transported and it should always be readily available. Maintaining a log should help to prevent any chemical reactions from occurring by creating awareness of any previously transported fluids.
Operating a vacuum truck can be potentially dangerous, especially when handling various types of fluid on a regular basis. There is always a possibility of being exposed to toxic chemicals. These dangers can be avoided if workers have been properly trained on all safety guidelines when operating a vacuum truck and are aware of work-site safety hazards and how to avoid them!
Potential Injuries
In order to have a picture of how this equipment can become potentially lethal when misused, listed below are some real life stories of workers who encountered near-death experiences when operating this powerful vehicle:
Vacuumed Limb - A vacuum truck operator had already begun extracting debris when the hose encountered a blockage. The worker manually removed the blockage with his arm; however, he did not turn the equipment off while removing the obstruction. When the debris that was stuck dislodged, the pressure that had built up in the hose removed the worker's limb by the greater vacuum power before the worker could remove it.
Toxic Fume Mishap Three vacuum truck workers were removing waste water from a well. The workers did not know that the storage tank of the truck contained sludge that did not mix well with water. As the workers extracted the waste water, it combined with the sludge inside the tank and caused a chemical reaction which generated toxic fumes. One of the crew members became disoriented while another completely passed out from the toxic gas. Thankfully one was able to seek medical assistance before something more serious happened.
These accidents were not caused by poor design. In fact, vacuum trucks are equipped with numerous safety features designed to protect the workers; however, accidents still occur due to the lack of knowledge on the part of operators regarding work-site safety hazards as well as a lack of proper implementation of safety features.
Important Safety Guidelines
Use Only Certified Vacuum Truck Operators - Due to the variety of liquids that vacuum trucks handle, every operator should know the proper way of handling various types of liquids in the safest manner possible. Only proper training and certification can provide these workers with the knowledge they need to operate the equipment safely and under all conditions.
Use Personal Protective Equipment - During training, some of the important knowledge that operators learn about is the proper way to use personal protective equipment such as personal alarms and air-supplied respirators. Workers must also learn the hazards involved in handling toxic fluids and the possibility of a gas explosion. Equally important, they need to learn how to respond if such an emergency should arise.
Conduct a Pre-Operation Inspection - Before taking the vehicle on the road, it is important for operators to conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle to ensure that all of its components are in good operating condition. They should inspect every part of the equipment from top to bottom.
Carefully Check Vacuum Components - The vacuuming components of the vehicle should also be checked daily. Operators should be sure that: all removable components are in place; all water tanks are full; and no crack or puncture is present in the hose. The storage tank, filter bag house, and cyclone separators should be free from any substance that might react to the fluid to be extracted.
Conduct Site-Specific Orientation - Before starting the job, all employees should first be provided with specific information about the job site including the material to be handled. Workers should be informed about the risks involved and how the material should be handled in the safest manner. Employees should also be briefed on what to do in case an emergency arises.
Maintain a Log of Transported Fluids - Operators should always fill out a log for each vehicle regarding all fluids that were transported and it should always be readily available. Maintaining a log should help to prevent any chemical reactions from occurring by creating awareness of any previously transported fluids.
Operating a vacuum truck can be potentially dangerous, especially when handling various types of fluid on a regular basis. There is always a possibility of being exposed to toxic chemicals. These dangers can be avoided if workers have been properly trained on all safety guidelines when operating a vacuum truck and are aware of work-site safety hazards and how to avoid them!
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