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What happened?
A heavy vehicle was moving a rig over a distance of about 70 km (43.5 miles).
On the return trip, the vehicle operator towed the dolly trailer separately.
Around 68 km (42 miles) into the return, the trailer detached and veered off the road, coming to rest in the embankment.
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Why did it happen?
The dolly was attached using a 'yard pull' system, secured with a loose pin meant for low-speed movements in a loading area. However, the vehicle was moving at higher speeds.
A proper ring feeder, which locks securely, was not used.
The operator had little experience using dolly trailers, and ring feeder connections were only available on the rear trailers for road trains, not the prime mover.
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What did they learn?
Ring feeders play a vital role in connecting trailers and dollies to heavy vehicles, ensuring a secure and flexible connection that allows for safe transportation. Typical ring feeder locking mechanisms consist of two main components: a fifth wheel plate and a kingpin.
Ensure operators of heavy vehicles know and understand requirements for using ring feeders.
Check the strength of work task processes and procedures by looking at ‘work as done’ vs ‘work as imagined’.
Assess work procedures while observing the actual task bring completed.
Perceived pressure in the workplace is the subjective sense of urgency or stress that individuals feel when faced with demanding work conditions. It can influence both performance and safety outcomes. Perceived pressure should be managed effectively.
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Ask yourself or your crew
What procedures do you follow to ensure trailers stay securely attached during transit?
How familiar are you with the correct usage of ring feeders and their mechanisms?
Can you describe any challenges you face when managing workplace pressure during transport operations?
How do you identify perceived pressure in your workplace? How can you make sure it doesn’t impact on making safe decisions?
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What happened?
A heavy vehicle was moving a rig over a distance of about 70 km (43.5 miles).
On the return trip, the vehicle operator towed the dolly trailer separately.
Around 68 km (42 miles) into the return, the trailer detached and veered off the road, coming to rest in the embankment.
Why did it happen?
The dolly was attached using a 'yard pull' system, secured with a loose pin meant for low-speed movements in a loading area. However, the vehicle was moving at higher speeds.
A proper ring feeder, which locks securely, was not used.
The operator had little experience using dolly trailers, and ring feeder connections were only available on the rear trailers for road trains, not the prime mover.
What did they learn?
Ring feeders play a vital role in connecting trailers and dollies to heavy vehicles, ensuring a secure and flexible connection that allows for safe transportation. Typical ring feeder locking mechanisms consist of two main components: a fifth wheel plate and a kingpin.
Ensure operators of heavy vehicles know and understand requirements for using ring feeders.
Check the strength of work task processes and procedures by looking at ‘work as done’ vs ‘work as imagined’.
Assess work procedures while observing the actual task bring completed.
Perceived pressure in the workplace is the subjective sense of urgency or stress that individuals feel when faced with demanding work conditions. It can influence both performance and safety outcomes. Perceived pressure should be managed effectively.
Ask yourself or your crew
What procedures do you follow to ensure trailers stay securely attached during transit?
How familiar are you with the correct usage of ring feeders and their mechanisms?
Can you describe any challenges you face when managing workplace pressure during transport operations?
How do you identify perceived pressure in your workplace? How can you make sure it doesn’t impact on making safe decisions?
A heavy vehicle was moving a rig over a distance of about 70 km (43.5 miles). On the return trip, the vehicle operator towed the dolly trailer separately. Around 68 km (42 miles) into the return, the trailer detached and veered off the road, coming to rest in the embankment.
Original material courtesy of Safer Together (Australia)
To access the PDF and PowerPoint versions, please visit https://www.safertogether.com.au/resources/sharing-library/driving-collision-leb-toolbox-2