The Sam Carbis Solutions Group Safety Blog

There’s no getting around it: Your throughput depends on the loading, unloading and cleaning of tank trucks. Without proper safety solutions and equipment, these tasks are incredibly dangerous for your employees and drivers. Even the most seasoned workers could experience serious injuries or even death depending on the tasks they have to accomplish, the training they’ve been through and the protection they’re provided. Do you know the risks your drivers and workers face when accessing the tops and insides of tank trucks? Learn the top three hazards they may encounter and how to protect them with the right mix of equipment and training. Tank Truck Safety Hazard #1: Falling Off The Top Of The Tank In most cases, accessing the tank for loading and unloading means your employee has to climb on top of the tank to open a hatch or compressed air valve. Without the proper prevention or protection, simply standing on the top of the truck puts your workers at risk for serious injuries from ...

Static electricity — it sounds pretty innocuous but imagine what could happen when a seemingly insignificant spark comes into contact with an explosive liquid. A split second is all it takes for a tiny spark to create a full-blown disaster. Static electricity, also referred to as “The Invisible Enemy”, cannot be seen but is everywhere. There’s really no way to completely eradicate it. That’s why if your company deals with flammable liquids it is imperative that you protect yourself and your workers from stray sparks by using proper bonding and grounding. When handling flammable liquids, it’s easy to generate static electricity with even simple activities such as pumping, pouring, mixing, filtering or agitating liquids. Static electricity can be controlled with proper bonding and grounding. Bonding connects pieces of conductive equipment to keep them at the same potential. This way static sparking cannot take place when connected objects have the same potential. Grounding is a specia...

 Marine safety risks affect everyone who needs to access your vessel while it’s in port, from pilots and supervisors to longshoremen. Ships are in constant motion on the water, so you must provide stable, safe access to avoid falls. Every ship gangway in use at your site must be sturdy and well secured. You may already be working to meet local port and marine terminal agreements regarding fall prevention. However, are you ensuring your safety systems account for all of the risks your workers are exposed to? Consider how you can drastically improve ship gangway safety  and protect your workforce. Mitigate Common Gangway Risks In the interest of “getting the job done,” employers sometimes let convenience take precedence over safety. For example, workers may use makeshift wooden planks to access vessels docked next to one another. Such tactics increase the risk of falling into the water, where a worker may drown. In addition to providing safe dock gangways, use security netting...

Covering a flatbed load to protect it during transit is a common task for drivers and operators, and one that presents serious truck safety challenges. Avoiding Back Injuries Lifting heavy tarps onto flatbed trucks and pulling them to cover the load puts strain on the lower back and shoulders, and is a major concern in flatbed trucking. Back injuries from lifting and pulling tarps could result in permanent disability for truck drivers as well as workers’ compensation claims of over $500,000, according to KeepTruckingSafe.com , a resource provided by the state of Washington’s Bureau of Labor and Industries. The website includes an interactive tarping simulation as well as case studies that examine these truck safety concerns. One way to prevent these injuries is to use an overhead tarping system that lifts and spreads the tarp over the flatbed. The operator simply connects the tarp to the spreader bar, which is suspended from an overhead track. Using a powered winch system and h...

Whether your facility has recently suffered an accident or you’re taking a proactive approach to flatbed truck safety, here’s some good news: The safety equipment available today offers far more protection than hard hats and lifelines alone. Here are five fall protection strategies to consider for improving flatbed truck safety at your facility or work site: Overhead Tarping Systems The first step in preventing falls from flatbed trucks is to avoid having workers climb onto the trailer in the first place. An overhead tarping system provides a safer way to cover an entire flatbed trailer by eliminating the risks of standing or walking on the trailer itself. The operator simply connects a tarp to the spreader bar, which is suspended from an overhead track. Using a powered winch system and hand-held control, it’s easy for the operator to spread the tarp across the entire flatbed without leaving the ground. Access Equipment Platforms designed for flatbed trucks provide a safer work a...

Marine safety equipment is necessary for helping your workers access ships safely and preventing falls. Safer work conditions often increase efficiency and improve your bottom line. While you may have an idea of what type of equipment you’re looking for, it’s important to not miss any important details. Always shop for safety equipment with the following four qualities: 1. Adaptable To Various Conditions No two days at your marine facility are exactly alike. Whether you run into problems with limited dock space, variable water heights or obstructions blocking ship access points, you need safety equipment that’s flexible. Marine safety equipment must adapt to changing conditions  within your work environment. For example, the barges you’re working on and their access points may change throughout the day. Your safety solutions provider should give you the following mounting options to choose from in a barge gangway: Float mode – As water levels rise and fall, your barge simply dr...

In comparison to other shipping vehicles, marine vessels are perhaps the most difficult to secure. Workers are at greater risk of falls and accidents because ships are in constant motion. Add changing tides to the equation, and providing safe access becomes even harder. Despite the challenges, improving marine safety offers significant benefits. Your workforce will be more surefooted on steady marine gangways with handrails , improving loading and unloading efficiency. Other forms of marine safety equipment, such as ship towers, make it easier to access vessels of any height. As you consider your current ship and dock safety measures, ask yourself whether your systems address the following two marine safety challenges: 1. Difficulty Boarding Barges and ships generally come to your facility for one of two reasons: to load or unload. Docks are outfitted well for loading devices to attach to the ship. However, you have to figure out how to get on and off the vessel. This is the risky pa...