Customer Safety Rules
Historically, the greatest risk of injury or death to a Mercer driver is at the time of loading and unloading cargo. Falls, especially from the top of a tall load, as well as the risk of being struck by shifting or falling cargo during both securement at loading and unsecurement at delivery are very real threats which can only be avoided by careful action and strict adherence to customer safety rules. Mercer's Safety Policy requires all drivers to be fully compliant with the safety rules at both the shipper and consignee facilities. Most of our customers, particularly at larger facilities, have strict safety policies which must be followed to the letter with no exceptions. In many instances, Mercer can be banned from a customer facility, or facilities, because of a single violation by one driver. In the current economy, with every carrier needing more freight, shippers simply do not need to consider carriers that they deem unsafe.
Common requirements at major plants include hardhats, eye protection, hearing protection, closed-toe footwear/boots, and vests. Some shippers issue such equipment, some require drivers to have it going in. Ideally, sales personnel and agents should be aware of their customers' safety rules and communicate them to Truck Operations so they can be shared with the driver prior to loading. Regardless of whether or not this happens, it is important that every driver, upon entering a shipper or consignee facility, inquire about the safety rules. Ignorance of policy is no excuse. Any driver who does not understand a shipper safety rule should ask, before anything else is done. If it is still not clear, call the Claims Department, or me, 24/7, before moving the truck. Know for sure, never assume.
Of particular importance is the required use of fall protection devices. In many plants, drivers who have tarp loads are required to be attached to an overhead harness or parked in a dock with elevated side and rear platforms. Even climbing on an empty trailer without a harness is prohibited. These rules apply to the entire property, including parking lots, not just in loading areas. A driver climbing on a trailer deck even to remove a strapped down tarp can cause his carrier to be banned from many of our customers' facilities if he is not hooked up to or using the required fall protection equipment. A plant's overall safety record depends not only on the safe practices of its employees, but it is also dependent upon the safe practices of its vendors and carriers as well.
Our customers do not want any of our drivers injured or killed at their facilities. Most expend considerable time and resources to develop policies, equipment and procedures to keep drivers out of harm's way. However, they can only be effective when drivers both understand them and comply fully with them. That is the responsibility of every Mercer driver at every shipper and every consignee. Every time. Be safe.
Len Dunman
Safety Director
Tele (502) 625-3161
Fax (502) 625-3158
1-800-626-5375