ALTHOUGH many tank truck safety managers may think that the majority of rollovers occur on highway ramps, research data shows that 10 percent or less actually happen in those locations, according to information presented at the National Tank Truck Carriers Safety Seminar April 3-5 in New Orleans.
Doug Pape of Battelle and Felicia Dickens of XL Insurance discussed highway accident statistics gathered by their companies.
Pape said the majority of rollovers take place on undivided highways, and speeding is involved about half the time. About 75 % are the result of driver error.
Pape's information comes from a cargo tank trailer rollover study Battelle is conducting and expects to complete soon. The Department of Transportation also has reported that 23% of all cargo tank crashes involve rollovers, and the number increases to 75% when the cargo tank truck is negotiating a turn.
Pape pointed out that trailer design can impact rollover situations, saying a 12% reduction in rollovers can be expected if trailers are built with lower centers of gravity, about three inches. That margin allows for a three miles-per-hour edge in speed before an overturn — a significant difference, he said.
Vehicle stability equipment is another means of guarding against rollovers, he said, advising managers to compare the various products on the market. “There is no one solution to the rollover problem,” he added.
Dickens said her survey indicated that some accidents appear to be related to the management quality of safety programs, driver qualifications, and driver tasks. She said the study indicated a need for more safety supervision and route management. Driver qualifications/records should be reviewed for such things as speeding tickets, aggressive or reckless driving, and lack of skills.
Supervisors should evaluate not only incidents that do occur, but near-misses. To encourage drivers to report near-misses, managers should not discipline them (which might discourage them from reporting the incidents), but use the situation in training, such as having the driver present the information.
Dickens also advised carriers to encourage dispatchers to reinforce the safety program. Dispatchers need good interpersonal skills to work effectively with drivers.
One way carriers can lessen their risks is by instituting and enforcing a rule that prevents the use of cell phones when the truck is underway, Dickens said. She pointed out that other instances of driver inattention, such as fatigue, speeding, misjudging speed and distance, and following a vehicle too closely are all manageable issues within a good safety program.
Finally, she reminded managers to evaluate their safety program at least every two years, determine if additional training has resulted in fewer accidents, and update the program to fit changing operating conditions.