UTILITY TRAILER SAFETY

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UTILITY TRAILER SAFETY

• Presented by
• Louisiana Tech University
• Office of Environmental Health and Safety

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SIGN IN SHEET

• PLEASE SIGN YOUR NAME ON THE
• SAFETY MEETING REPORT FORM

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DEFINITIONS

• Trailer- A cart or wagon designed to haul freight
  and is be pulled by an auto, truck, or tractor
• Trailer Hitch- The combination of a coupler at
  the tip of a trailer tongue or A-frame and a ball
  attached to the rear of a vehicle
• Coupler- The part of the trailer hitch which fits
  over and is secured to the ball
• Ball- A ball of varying sizes (usually 1.75,
  2.0, 2.5) which is tightly secured to the draw
  works on the tow vehicle
• Safety Chains- Chains which are permanently
  attached to the tongue of a trailer which are
  connected to the tow vehicle when the trailer is
  towed

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DEFINITIONS- CONTD

• Coupler Safety Pin- a bolt, special pin, or lock
  which is inserted through a hole and lever on a
  coupler to prevent the coupler from opening while
  the trailer is being pulled
• Receiver- A part which is permanently attached to
  the tow vehicle which accepts the draw bar
• Draw Bar- The part of the hitch to which the ball
  is attached. It is pinned into the Receiver with
  a lock or pin
• Trailer Brakes- Surge or electric brakes on
  trailers that are required to safety stop most
  trailers
• Tire Load Index/Range- Labels on tires used to
  indicate how much a particular tire can support.

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DEFINITIONS- CONTD

• Wiring Harness- Used to conduct electricity from
  the tow vehicle to the lights and brakes on the
  trailer
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)- maximum
  allowable total weight of a tow vehicle itself
  plus fuel, passengers, cargo and trailer tongue
  weight
• Gross Trailer Weight Rating (GTWR)- Total weight
  of a trailer that is loaded to capacity (Used in
  rating trailer hitches)
• Static Tongue Load (STL)- Weight of trailer as
  measured at the trailer coupling (Must be 10-15
  of the GTWR)
• Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)- Maximum
  distributed load that can be supported by an axle

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DEFINITIONS- CONTD

• Sway Control- A device which reduced the pivoting
  between the tow vehicle and a trailer
• Break Away Switch- A trailer component which is
  attached to the brakes of a trailer that
  automatically stops a trailer if there is a
  separation of the tow vehicle and a trailer
• Secure Load- A load that has been tied, chained,
  or strapped to the trailer so that it does not
  shift in any way when the trailer is in motion

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DEFINITIONS-CONTD

• Responsible Supervisors- Superintendents and
  foremen of all personnel who operate or travel in
  tow vehicles or trailers.
• Responsible Person- The driver of a tow vehicle
  which has a trailer physically attached to it.
• Passenger- Any person who is riding in a tow
  vehicle or on a trailer that is physical attached
  to it.
• ALL MUST BE EMPLOYEES OF LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY

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BASIC SAFETY RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Superintendents and Foremen are responsible for
• Providing tow vehicles and trailers which meet
  acceptable safety standards
• Providing for the maintenance of tow vehicles and
  trailers to assure
• Developing instructions for the proper operation
  and use of tow vehicles and trailers
• Developing appropriate JSAs and other safety
  rules for the safe operation of tow vehicles and
  trailers
• Monitoring the practices of their employees when
  they operate tow vehicles and trailers
• Taking appropriate disciplinary actions against
  those employees who violate safety rules,
  policies, laws and regulations regarding the use
  and operation of tow vehicles and trailers

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BASIC SAFETY RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The driver of the tow vehicle is totally
  responsible for
• The proper coupling of a trailer to a tow vehicle
  (coupling includes connecting hitch to receiver,
  hitch to trailer to hitch, securing safety
  chains, connecting light/brakes)
• Safe operation of the tow vehicle and trailer
• Proper distribution of the load ( cargo and
  passengers) on the trailer
• The safe conduct of all occupants of the tow
  vehicle and trailer
• Monitoring the movement of the tow vehicle and
  trailer while they are in motion
• Monitoring the the stability of the load on the
  trailer while in motion
• Any damages caused by the tow vehicle or trailer.

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BASIC SAFETY RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Never load a truck/trailer combination to exceed
  the GVWR of the tow vehicle
• Never load a trailer to exceed the GTWR, STL,
  and/or GAWR of the trailers (remember to include
  the weights of the load and passengers in you
  calculations)
• Never exceed the tire load index/range ratings
  for the tires on the tow vehicle or trailer
• Supervisors are responsible for providing drivers
  with the tire load index and ratings, GVWR, GTWR,
  STL, and GAWR for the truck/trailer combinations
  used by their personnel

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BASIC SAFETY RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Riders are STRICTLY PROHIBITED from riding on the
  front, back or sides/rails of any trailer is
  while the trailer is in motion.
• Riders MUST be seated on the floor of the trailer
  or on a bench which is permanently attached to
  the bed of the trailer.
• Riders must be located on the trailer such that
  the appropriate distribution of the weight on the
  trailer is maintained.

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COMMON QUESTION

• In an accident involving a truck and a utility
  trailer would the trailer be covered by the
  auto's insurance or does it require a separate
  policy?

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ANSWERfrom http//www.firsteagle.com/ait.htm

• You would have to check your policy (see
  disclaimer notice below)...
• Your insured car means The vehicle described in
  the Declarations of the policy or any private
  passenger car with which you replace it. You must
  advise your insurance company within a specified
  period mentioned in your policy of any change of
  private passenger car or utility car.
• Any additional private passenger car or utility
  car of which you acquire ownership during the
  policy period. Provided that you notify your
  insurance company within specified period
  mentioned in your policy of its acquisition.
• Any utility trailer a. That you own, or b. While
  attached to your insured car.
• Any private passenger car, utility car or utility
  trailer not owned by you or a family member while
  being temporarily used as a substitute for any
  other vehicle described in this definition
  because of its withdrawal from normal use due to
  breakdown, repair, servicing, loss or
  destruction.
• Disclaimer notice Above mentioned terms and
  definitions are not intended to replace or be the
  exact explanation of the definitions or
  conditions of your policy, they are merely for
  general information purposes. For exact
  definitions and conditions applying to your auto
  insurance, please refer to your auto insurance
  policy agreement.

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For More About Trailer Operation and Safety

• Contact the Office of Environmental Health and
  Safety to obtain the video
• Utility Trailer Towing Safety