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Truck Driver Injury Prevention [p] Driving a heavy-duty truck is one of the most dangerous jobs in America. Take a look at these truck driver injury prevention tips to stay safe on the road. [/p]
[h2] Truck Driver Injury Prevention [/h2]
[p]The trucking industry is a profession with one of the highest workers’ compensation claim rates. The profession itself requires long hours of driving, poor diets, and little exercise, making truck drivers prone to injuries. These truck driver injury prevention tips can help limit drivers at risk. [/p]
[p] In America, Washington State alone, workers’ compensation claims are so high that there is an initiative for preventing on the job injuries for truck drivers. It is referred to as the TIRES Initiative. [/p]
[p]Each year, 1-out-of-13 truck drivers in Washington state has a work-related injury serious enough that they have to miss work for a long period of time, on an average of 184 days.[/p]
[p]Truck drivers had more nonfatal injuries (over 151,000) than workers in any other occupation in 1995. 50 percent of the nonfatal truck accident injuries were serious sprains and strains; this may be attributed to the fact that many truck drivers must unload the goods they transport. (Source: According to Knestaut, A. Compensation, and Working Conditions, 1997, Fall)
[/p]
[p]Long hours of driving, poor diets and little exercise make drivers prone to work-related strains and sprains with injuries to muscles, tendons, nerves and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). [/p]
[p]<strong>Injuries are often due to:</strong>[/p]
[ul]
[li]Overexertion[/li]
[li]Being struck by an object[/li]
[li]Falling[/li]
[li]Transportation accidents[/li]
[li]Repetitive use of body[/li]
[li]Lifting heavy boxes and cargo[/li]
[li]Awkward postures such as reaching overhead [/li]
[li]Gripping tightly or improperly[/li]
[/ul]
[p]Work-related strains and sprains make up 50% of injuries are the most costly and most frequent injuries in the trucking industry. Sprains, strains and overexertion make up for the most trucking-related injuries. [/p]
[p]Studies show that costs exceed $107 million and resulting in 576,000 lost-work days per year. About 70 percent of these injuries were to truck drivers. Many of the injuries occurred when opening shipping container doors or connecting or disconnecting a trailer to the truck.[/p]
[p]<strong>Strains and sprains can include:</strong>[/p]
[ul]
[li]Back pain[/li]
[li]Shoulder pain[/li]
[li]Muscle strain[/li]
[li]Tendonitis[/li]
[li]Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)[/li]
[li]Tennis elbow (epicondylitis)[/li]
[li]Other common injuries include bruises, fractures, cuts and lacerations, soreness and pain, and multiple traumatic injuries.[/li]
[/ul]
[p]<strong>The most common situations where truck accident injuries occur include:</strong>[/p]
[ul]
[li]Vehicle accidents[/li]
[li]Carpal tunnel injury[/li]
[li]Strained wrists from opening hard to open containers[/li]
[li]Strains and back injuries from lifting and moving items or releasing 5th wheel to remove tractor from trailer[/li]
[li]Slip and falls climbing in or out of the cap or trailer[/li]
[li]Accidents while loading or unloading trailer[/li]
[li]Slip and falls on docks[/li]
[li]Crush injuries where part of load falls on driver[/li]
[/ul]
[p]<strong>Workers’ Compensation Costs</strong>[/p]
[ul]
[li]41% of compensable claims are the result of strains and sprains to the neck, back and upper extremity (shoulders, elbows, hands/wrists)
[li]The average cost for a claim is over $26,000
[li]Average of 184 time-loss days Compared to other industries
[/ul]
[p]Couriers have almost four times the rate of work-related strains and sprains claims of all industries combined. Waste Collection has three and a half times the rate and General Freight trucking is close with almost two and a half times the rate of work-related strains and sprains of all other industries combined.[/p]
[p]<strong>Additional Costs</strong>[/p]
[p]Work-related time off also increases the cost of hiring and training, increasing turnover and decreasing productivity. Sometimes workers are unable to return to their full wage jobs after an injury or require extensive life-altering surgeries or treatments to recover.[/p]
[p]Take Steps to equip truck drivers and operators with the proper tools needed to help them avoid injury.[/p]
[p]To help offset these unwanted expenses we introduce <a href="https://www.shippingcontainertool.com/">OPNBar</a>, a 3 in 1 shipping container safety leverage tool, <a href="https://www.shippingcontainertool.com/use-tire-beater-check-tires-properly-inflated/">tire beater/thumper</a>, and <a href="https://www.shippingcontainertool.com/how-to-release-a-5th-wheel/">5th wheel release handle/hook</a>. Our product was originally designed for opening and closing truck trailers and shipping container doors with the safety for the operator foremost in mind. The OPNBar trucker tool, for instance, can help avoid some injuries by providing an ergonomic means of opening shipping containers, checking for low pressure tires, and aiding operators in releasing the tractor from the trailer.[/p]
[video id="wdokuVGpIcE"]
[p]Educate truckers, equip them with the right tools, and teach them good health habits to keep them safe and healthy. These simple precautions can help companies avoid unexpected fees and missed work days.[/p]
Trucker Spotlight - Jamar Holland <em>The Trucker Spotlight series explores the lives of truckers and their journey to make a difference in their industry. We interview different truck drivers to understand some life lessons that make them who they are today. We also learn more about their motivations, and the problems that they encounter on the job. We also tackle how Trucker Path's solutions helped them with what they do. The information that they provide helps inform other people who are looking to delve into the trucking world.</em>
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/08/jh2.jpeg" alt=""]
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Today we are putting the spotlight on Jamar, who's been driving for 4 1/2 years. He's a husband and a father who loves every minute of his trucking life. Let's get to know more about his life on the road.
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<h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker?</strong></h3>
I decided to become a trucker honestly because everything else in my life had failed up until that point. I was tired of working dead end warehouse jobs and was really ready for a new career.
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<h3><strong>In the years that you have been driving, what are the significant changes that you've
noticed in the trucking industry?</strong></h3>
The most significant change for my short career has definitely been ELDs. I had a short experience with paper logs but it became a challenge when we shifted to their electronic counterparts.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/08/jh3.jpeg" alt=""]
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<h3><strong>What made you decide to put up your Youtube channel?</strong></h3>
Honestly, I never imagined my Youtube channel growing into what it is today, it actually just started as a way to vent-out and express myself. Somehow it became therapeutic to me and surprisingly to others as well. As it grew, I continued to take pride in being a voice for others like myself and giving motivation that truly anyone can be successful in life.
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<h3><strong>Any times when you get lonely while driving? How do you deal with it?</strong></h3>
Absolutely, but thank God for technology. I recently started referring to myself as "FaceTime Daddy" and even though it's done jokingly, FaceTime and other similar forms of communication are pivotal for me and my family to remain sane and whole while I'm out here working to secure our future.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/08/jh4.jpeg" alt=""]
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<h3><strong>As a trucker, what are the current struggles in this COVID19 pandemic?</strong></h3>
I think just the uncertainty of what will happen next, hoping that it doesn't effect my income so drastically like so many of my friends and family.
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<h3><strong>What are your usual routes? Favorite scenic truck route?</strong></h3>
I usually stay on I40 and I5 in California, however my favorite scenery would definitely be Oregon just perfectly created in my opinion.
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<h3><strong>What was your weirdest or most unusual haul?</strong></h3>
I picked up a load of hay in the middle of a Nevada desert that was literally 30 miles off the map.
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<h3><strong>How often do you use rest stops / truck stops? What are the things that you look for in a truck stop? Favorite truck stop meal?</strong></h3>
I use both very often, first thing I look at is always the parking lot size and parking availability. Lucky for me, the Trucker Paths app is normally very accurate. As far as inside, I always look at reviews of the showers. There's nothing more disturbing than a poorly kept bathroom. Favorite truck stop meal is always a mom and pop diner with great breakfast!
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<h3><strong>What are the common troubles or problems you encounter while trucking?</strong></h3>
Common troubles for me are rude and unsafe drivers. My biggest fear is that even if I can control and safely operate my truck, you never know when someone around you will do something that will not only jeopardize their life but yours as well.
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<h3><strong>What are your pet peeves while driving/trucking?</strong></h3>
Biggest pet peeves are vehicles who enter the highway too slow, its literally called the acceleration lane.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/08/jh5.jpeg" alt=""]
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<h3><strong>How did Trucker Path help you in your day to day trucking?</strong></h3>
The fact that <a href="http://www.truckerpath.com">Trucker Path</a> can tell me how far each truck stop is from my exact location, that allows me to be very productive and productivity equals more money.
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<h3><strong>What are some tips that you would like to share for aspiring truckers?</strong></h3>
Be confident when you're out here on the road and most importantly don't rush. The money will come and so will all your goals just keep pushing one day at a time. Like I always say on my channel, Stay safe, Stay positive and Stay productive.
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<h3><strong>Where can people watch your videos on Youtube?</strong></h3>
They can view my videos on my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/Tre7DJHouse/featured">Youtube Channel, ATruckerNamedJay.</a>
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y95yUN8oyfg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Hope you guys enjoy!
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<h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4>
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6 Tips to Keep Safe at Truck Stops <h2></h2>
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You have finally arrived at your truck stop of choice (or found one using <a href="https://truckerpath.com/trucker-path-app/">Trucker Path</a>) and conveniently located a parking spot. Watch out as things might not be so safe as you think. A large percentage of truck-trailer accidents occur at truck stops which should be the safest place to park. Drivers can never let their guard down when behind the wheel and even parked at that! Trucking accidents are expensive and causes major setbacks in your schedule which leads to more expenses. Below are a few tips to help reduce a trucking accident/incident at a truck stop:
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<strong>Here are 6 tips to keep safe at truck stops:</strong>
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<strong>1. Pre-plan your route:</strong> Pre-plan your route so you know you will be stopping at a location with plenty of room and that is well lit. Choose your stops, don’t let them choose you. Use truck apps such as Trucker Path to efficiently plan your route and plot your desired stops.
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<a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b56.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b56-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5073" /></a>
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<strong>2. Maximize your stops:</strong> Plan to take care of everything you need at a truck stop when you are there the first time. Stopping to fuel, refill your coffee, and eat is better than stopping five times.
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<a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b55.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b55-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5072" /></a>
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<strong>3. Avoid parking at the end of a row:</strong> Not only is there traffic crossing next to you but most people park on the end because they are tired and after a long day the end is the closest spot. Avoiding the end of a parking lot helps you avoid drivers who are parking when they are tired. Removing yourself from high traffic areas can help reduce risk.
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<a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b54.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b54-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5071" /></a>
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<strong>4. Avoid a spot that will force you to back out when you leave:</strong> Choose a spot you can either pull through (the best option) or back into (second best option).
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<a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b53.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b53-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5070" /></a>
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<strong>5. Park where there is space around you:</strong> The back of the lot will usually have more room than the front so let other drivers take the risk of all that traffic coming and going. No need to be a super Trucker when a safe and easy place is available. Think safe, not convenience.<h2></h2>
<a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b41.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b41-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5068" /></a>
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<strong>6. Use your cameras:</strong> Don't be complacent when parking. When your space is tight, utilize what you have to your advantage. Using your cameras will help you see tight spots on sides and at the rear. Take your time and you can also step down to survey the surrounding areas.
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<a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b40.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b40-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5067" /></a>
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<h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4>
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