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Insurance, Safety & Training
General Insurance discussion as it relates to the towing industry. Safety Issues, Training Methods and Move Over - Slow Down Topics. Along with Health & Wellness discussions.
421 topics in this forum
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- 1 follower
- 14 replies
- 1.3k views
by Larry Pitt Posted on October 02, 2018 in Workers Compensation Tow truck drivers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. Over one million truck drivers will be involved in a serious crash at some point in their career, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). They face not only physical hazards of the job but also work-related financial and mental stress. Physical Hazards Tow truck drivers hook up heavy machinery and vehicles to trucks daily, putting them at risk for many physical injuries including: Back and neck injuries Musculoskeletal injuries Repetitive stress injuries Strai…
Last reply by John Tracy, -
- 2 followers
- 2 replies
- 131 views
Last reply by silverhawk, -
- 0 replies
- 51 views
View the full article on WreckMaster.com...
Last reply by JustinCruse, -
- 2 followers
- 1 reply
- 131 views
Just wanted to cover this subject here. It will be the topic of our weekly safety meeting. Today we recieved a call to recover a pickup truck that was in the rear of a residence against an above ground pool. I decided to take our Jerr Dan Cougar as it was unclear from the customer how far off the driveway it was. So, once I arrived, the customer told me the details: the truck would not start, they called for a tow, a wheelift arrived, hooked up, ( obviously, NO SAFETY CHAINS) then proceeded out of the driveway. There is a continuous 10° grade uphill & when the wheelift crested the grade, the Silverado got loose, careened down the driveway backwards, hit &…
Last reply by dperone, -
- 4 followers
- 4 replies
- 165 views
Last reply by Kjband13oc, -
- 2 followers
- 2 replies
- 170 views
Topic Originally Created by twinbulls on Tow411 in October of 2003: I have been looking at alot of trucks and a few had the back up safety beeper on them. Seemed to be very loud and I asked it it had a switch to turn it on and off salesman said no was hooked to back up lights.. I don't like em but might use it if it had a on/ off switch. Just wondering http://66.221.140.243/userpics/confused.gif"> Auto Rescue said: My two Petes and the forklift have them without shut off switches, in the case of the big trucks they are for other peoples protection in case I might not see them when backing up. John R. Rod VT said: Bot…
Last reply by GRUMPS The Towman, -
- 6 followers
- 7 replies
- 192 views
Had a close call last night along the interstate. Kicking myself in the ass for not setting up cones, but it was a simple grab and go when I got there. In my mind, at the time, it would be quicker to grab and go than to put the cones out around the curve and then collect them again when I was finished. I don't generally consider myself lazy, but last night it would have been worth the time it would have taken. Thankfully nothing happened but it could have very easily turned ugly. Thinking about it on the ride home, I decided it was time to get some flares so that I could set them out and not have to go back and collect them. Just put in an order for $200.0…
Last reply by 64fordholmes500, -
Topic Originally created by mrdmrd on Tow411 in February of 2004: I wrote a couple of posts on this topic and tried to point out what I thought OSHA's enforcement scheme was for the towing and recovery industry. They don't have one. They will treat towing like they treat all the others they regulate under the heading of "general industry". If you have an accident in your workplace that results in a fatality or serious injury to one of your employees, you will likely recieve a visit, particularly if the incident is highly publicized. If our industry has a significant number of incidents of a similar nature that result in employee fatalities or injuries, they ma…
Last reply by Tow411, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 269 views
This was MY RANT on LinkedIn last night! RANT! Does anyone have a contact for an Amazon Transportation Safety Director. I was nearly struck working on the side of the road and the majority of the Tractors were pulling Amazon Prime Trailers. While this was in a construction zone limited to two lanes with space was limited by concrete temporary barrier. The vehicle I was recovering was hung up in the guardrail and two marked units were 75ft and 150ft back. That's three vehicles with Red & Blue Lights. While there was no room for vehicles too move over, not ONE of those trucks even attempted to Slow Down. Had they slowed from 60mph to under 40mph…
Last reply by Kjband13oc, -
- 6 followers
- 10 replies
- 565 views
This is an old topic that has reared it's ugly head again with new and younger generation of commercial officers showing up at heavy recoveries. Several heavy providers in different locations within the state have contacted me after they've been aggressively reprimanded by commercial officers regarding wearing hard-hats for towers performing recovery operations, specifically in Class C, D and Rotator operations. Per OSHA regulation: Section 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart E (Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment), §1926.95 (Criteria for personal protective equipment), and where Section 1926 defines, under §1926.28(a): “[t]he employer is responsib…
Last reply by goodmichael, -
- 1 follower
- 0 replies
- 155 views
Last reply by Eric Fouquette, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 273 views
Topic Originally Created on Tow411 in October of 2003: Hawktow said: Thought i would pass this safety tip along.when pulling shafts be sure all tension is off and shaft has movement. when i was pulling shaft it was in a bind,i was just going to take straps off of u-joint and move truck back-n-forth with lift to "pop"outshaft. when taking last bolt out of last strap the yoke on the rear-end busted!i was lucky all i had was a broke bone in my hand.. looking back on that job i should have done it differantly,but it was to late.my employer was more worried about who had to pay for bad yoke than his driver.so just be careful when pulling shafts they can bite…
Last reply by silverhawk, -
- 0 replies
- 159 views
Topic Originally Created by Littletow on Tow411 in July of 2011: Does anyone have an established cross training with fire,police and towers out there? Let me add, that is NOT manufacturer of any product based? It can be an association or individual. Thanks! Wm99480 said: We don't at this time but that could be 1 of your first projects here at your new job at ABC Towing! nullstowing said: Yes we cross train on a regular basis. At least one "major staged" training event a year between the different departments and our company. Fastfreddie said: In Virginia at least in the Northern part, The firefighters are cer…
Last reply by Tow411, -
- 0 replies
- 176 views
Topic Originally Created by Rod VT in January of 2004: One bodyshop/garage in my town just dropped his insurance on his wrecker because he didn't run it enough (or profitably enough) to make it worthwhile (especially when he was in the middle of a repair). There are rumours that another tower not too far from me isn't going to be able to renew his insurance due to too many claims. Dougie says he is having a hard time finding anyone who will write him insurance on a start-up company. My question is: will the high cost of insurance be the downfall or the salvation of the towing industry? (no offense meant to you Doug). What I am thinking is that rates are low…
Last reply by Tow411, -
- 4 followers
- 6 replies
- 197 views
Good afternoon from Texas, USA! I’ve ran flatbeds for 10+ years. And on bigger trucks, F250, box trucks, sprinter vans etc ive always used chains and at the rear crossed chained them in an X. I’ve never had issue. Until, I started this new company and the boss chewed me out for it. Pros and cons? Are we both correct are we both wrong?
Last reply by fenderbendr6, -
- 2 followers
- 3 replies
- 277 views
Normally this would be in the Found on TikTok Series. However since this is an educational opportunity it's being redirected to the Safety Discussion forum. Things not to do... Do Not Take your eyes off the traffic and Do Not Get Close to the White Line 1) The driver takes his eyes off the traffic far too long and if speaking with someone inside the vehicle should be doing that on the side away from traffic. 2) When the driver steps towards the rear of the vehicle he walks towards the white Line and Traffic. This could have been video evidence, but that doesn't ease the pain. Note: This is not being shared to shame this driv…
Last reply by GRUMPS The Towman, -
- 2 followers
- 7 replies
- 176 views
Combined Weight:
Last reply by yoBdaBenO, -
- 3 followers
- 2 replies
- 287 views
I was just told by a large insurance company that they are going to abandon a vehicle at my lot instead of paying the towing and recovery charges. I've always been told that insurance dumping is illegal in NY but I can't find the law. I'm trying to get a hold of ESTRA to no avail. Thanks!
Last reply by Kjband13oc, -
- 3 followers
- 6 replies
- 329 views
The Question was asked on FB: A) Customer calls to complain that the driver failed to give the key to said vehicles owner when delivered. B) The Driver stated without doubt that he gave the key to the owner when the vehicle was delivered. How does your company handle this situation?
Last reply by Stubborn66, -
- 7 followers
- 12 replies
- 327 views
Another tow company is being sued for not securing dollies onto a towed vehicle. Since this is a matter of safety training for tow operators, does your state's law require them? Even if there's no written vehicle code law in your state, do you use safety ratchets and straps to keep towed vehicles contained? Does it matter? R.
Last reply by brian991219, -
- 3 followers
- 2 replies
- 209 views
Decrease your risk of getting struck by traffic and always use the non-traffic side controls on wreckers and carriers whenever possible.
Last reply by Stubborn66, -
- 4 followers
- 15 replies
- 328 views
In another post, I mentioned the recent case of a male who was accidentally backed-over by a tow truck at an accident scene. Do we towers hold full-responsibility (at the scene of a crash) to ensure everyone is clear from dangerous movement when motorists wander into the work-zone? When you go into a work-shop or a sunken mechanic's pit, typically there are yellow-lines to identify hazardous areas requiring customer's to stay out. Not that towers have enough to do, what do you or your driver's do to identify an active work-zone? Anything? Something? Nothing? Is it part of your routine to set cones, flares, triangles, even add signage? How do you keep roadside …
Last reply by rreschran, -
- 0 replies
- 150 views
Last reply by TowForce, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 179 views
Also, other States that are decriminalizing hard drugs such as Oregon is doing. Are you seeing an increase in traffic accidents as a result or is it about the same. Our number of accidents have increased steadily without decriminalization. I would suspect there may be an increased number of incidents raising the dangers for tow truck operators.
Last reply by rreschran, -
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I can't keep up with all the First Responders who have been Injured in the line of duty while keeping a watch for Tow Truck Operators who have been injured or killed. National First Responder Day came and went with what seemed to be little coverage unless you want to talk about the more than 30 officers who were injured in attacks in Philadelphia. Perhaps the Towing Industry can start to develop a plan to recognize First Responders in 2021. Police, Fire, EMS that we as Tow Operators both Support and Need to Support our safety on the roadways. Due to efforts t reduce Police Funding in many areas the level of support the …
Last reply by TowZone, -
- 0 replies
- 144 views
In response to a FB Topic "Who else keeps hand sanitizer in the truck?" I wrote: I have kept Hand Sanitizer in the truck for years. Only now there is a spray hand sanitizer in each door along with surgical gloves. A glove is worn when entering numbers at fuel pumps more these days then in the past. I am not a germophobe though I am aware of where germs live. After pumping the fuel at the station leave the glove on to open the door into the store. But don't stop be sure to have a paper towel or such to open the restroom door when you leave. Back to the truck hand sanitizer again prior to touching anything inside the truck, wipe the out side of the …
Last reply by TowZone, -
- 1 follower
- 0 replies
- 94 views
Another tow company is being sued for not securing dollies onto a towed vehicle. Since this is a matter of safety training for tow operators, does your state's law require them? Even if there's no written vehicle code law in your state, do you use safety ratchets and straps to keep towed vehicles contained? Does it matter? R.
Last reply by rreschran,
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