--- title: Improving Employee Safety With Flatbed Fall Protection description: Employee safety is always a concern with flatbed trucks. 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[Contact An Expert](https://www.carbissolutions.com/contact/) Menu Home Products Services Solutions Resources Resources Resources The Workplace Safety Blog ## Safety & Fall Prevention Insights From Carbis Solutions # Improving Employee Safety With Flatbed Fall Protection The Carbis Team | Fall Prevention & Protection | Dec 15, 2015 8:30:00 AM ![Learn how to reduce safety risks with flatbed fall protection.](https://content.carbissolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-files/effective-flatbed-fall-protection.jpg?width=320&name=effective-flatbed-fall-protection.jpg "Learn how to reduce safety risks with flatbed fall protection.")A well-designed flatbed fall protection solution helps your drivers feel safer on the job – without costing them valuable time. Properly implemented, such a solution helps to improve employee safety when working with flatbed trucks, which could save your company time and money due to less downtime, as well as fewer hospital bills and lawsuits. In fact, many of the injuries and fatalities in [OSHA’s flatbed truck accident reports](https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=201187135) could have been prevented with adequate fall protection. Here’s just one example: A subcontractor for a construction company was doing concrete work at a residential building in California, when two of the employees tried to move a piece of machinery from the back of a flatbed trailer to the front. The machinery was a tamper: a jackhammer with a flat attachment for compacting soil. But the flatbed also held a pile of lumber, and one of the workers stepped onto this unstable surface while trying to move the tamper. The worker slipped on the lumber and fell off the bed of the truck, striking his head on a concrete Jersey barrier and landing on the ground. He sustained a fractured neck vertebra, spinal injury and a laceration on his head, and was hospitalized for six days. After an investigation, the employer was cited by OSHA. This accident report illustrates some of the dangers associated with securing loads on a flatbed trailer, as well as the injuries that could be sustained by falling three or four feet to the ground. ### The Evolution Of Flatbed Fall Protection In the past, flatbed fall protection was often just a warning: “Be careful when you’re up there.” As a way to relieve their liability for accidents, companies worked with contracted flatbed truck drivers and made the drivers responsible for securing the loads. The most common safety measure was to have workers wear hard hats secured with chin straps, but workers would only wear them if forced to by the company. Another fall protection method was to use lifelines that slid along tracks, following the worker as they moved along the side of the flatbed. These lifelines helped keep workers from striking their heads, but didn’t protect the body from hitting the truck or the ground. Today, many flatbed safety systems are available that improve employee safety. These include overhead tarping systems and access equipment that help to prevent falls, as well as portable handrail systems and fall arrest equipment, such as safety nets and harness systems. When choosing fall protection equipment, consider working with a trusted vendor to evaluate your needs and design the flatbed safety system that’s best for you and your drivers. **Are you ready to learn how to improve industrial safety at your facility? Promote a culture of safety and become OSHA compliant with seven workplace safety measures.** **[![7 Workplace Safety Measures To Ensure Efficiency And Compliance Among Your Employees ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/455611/bdf95a71-8a67-4fe4-8bb5-3f12f79357c6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/455611/bdf95a71-8a67-4fe4-8bb5-3f12f79357c6)** [View All Posts](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/) [Older Post](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/flatbed_truck_safety_are_you_ignoring_these_3_risk_factors) [Newer Post](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/5_flatbed_fall_protection_strategies_which_is_right_for_you) SHARE THIS PAGE: - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ### POPULAR TOPICS - [Fall Prevention & Protection (50)](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/topic/fall-prevention-protection) - [Fluid Handling (50)](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/topic/fluid-handling) - [Safety Equipment Purchasing & Replacement (18)](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/topic/safety-equipment-purchasing-replacement) - [Corporate and OSHA Compliance (14)](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/topic/corporate-and-osha-compliance) - [safety (9)](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/topic/safety) - [Chemical Transfer (7)](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/topic/chemical-transfer) - [Marine Fall Prevention & Safety (7)](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/topic/marine-fall-prevention-safety) - [Training (7)](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/topic/training) - [Truck Safety (7)](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/topic/truck-safety) - [Rail Spotting (5)](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/topic/rail-spotting) - [Truck Spotting (5)](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/topic/truck-spotting) - [Loading Arms (4)](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/topic/loading-arms) - [Railroad Saftey (4)](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/topic/railroad-saftey) - [Flatbed Tarping (3)](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/topic/flatbed-tarping) - [loading rack safety (3)](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/topic/loading-rack-safety) - [Crude Oil (2)](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/topic/crude-oil) - [ISO Containers (2)](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/topic/iso-containers) - [Skid Systems (1)](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/topic/skid-systems) ## RECENT POSTS - [Efficiency and Safety: The Role of Scale Systems in Product Transfer](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/efficiency-and-safety-the-role-of-scale-systems-in-product-transfer) - [Truck and Rail Access Gangways](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/platforms-and-catwalks-the-bones-of-your-operation-0) - [Platforms and Catwalks - The Bones of Your Operation](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/platforms-and-catwalks-the-bones-of-your-operation) - [Truck and Rail Safety Cages – Protection with Room to Move](https://content.carbissolutions.com/blog/truck-and-rail-safety-cages-proper-protection-with-room-to-move-0) ![](https://www.carbissolutions.com/wp-content/themes/carbis/assets/img/logo-footer-new.png) - [Services](https://www.carbissolutions.com/services/) - [Solutions](https://www.carbissolutions.com/solutions/) - [Products](https://www.carbissolutions.com/products/) - [Resources](https://www.carbissolutions.com/resources/) - [About Us](https://www.carbissolutions.com/about-us/) - [Contact Us](https://www.carbissolutions.com/contact/) - [Careers](https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/at-jobopportunities.php?clientkey=FE3AB7EB4121E2287BE5E54B21FD659E) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.carbissolutions.com/privacy-policy/) - [Product Documentation](https://www.carbissolutions.com/product-documentation/) Get in Touch [sales@carbissolutions.com](mailto:sales@carbissolutions) US 1-800-948-7750 Global +1-843-669-6668 Fax 1-843-662-1536 ![](https://www.carbissolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/chat-feature-image.png) Contact a Loading Rack Expert Now. **Safety Consultant Chat Hours:** M-F 8AM-5PM EST [Contact Now](https://www.carbissolutions.com/contact/) © 2018 Carbis Solutions | [Privacy Policy](https://www.carbissolutions.com/privacy-policy/) - - - -