Safety tips for the summer

Do you wonder what exactly summer safety from a professional driver’s viewpoint is?

It is being prepared as we know that summer increases traffic. It is the perfect weather for motorcyclists to go on road trips, for cyclists to fix their bikes and hit the tarmac, for joggers to dust off their runners and enjoy the outdoors and pedestrians to take meandering walks. As professional drivers, we need to be extra vigilant, follow the basic road rules to the tee, and stay alert.

Personal summer safety for drivers and crane operators goes beyond this though, as we spend hours in our vehicles and on job sites and the heat of summer can have a drastic – and yes, sometimes deadly – impact. We plan what our workday will look like so that we can prepare by bringing enough water to maintain hydration and prevent any heat-related syndromes such as heat stroke (the most severe), heat cramps (the mildest) or heat exhaustion. Let’s be honest, there are very few of us who spend all day in an air-conditioned cab, and getting in and out regularly can dehydrate and wear us out very quickly.

There are many other great summer practices that our drivers follow such as:

• Applying sun cream regularly throughout the day. Our windows and windshields may filter out the sun’s UVB rays, but they do nothing to stop the more harmful UVA rays from pouring through. Constant application of cream protects our drivers’ skin and helps to keep us safe
• Wearing the right pair of sunglasses with full UV protection that blocks the full spectrum of UVA and UVB rays
• Driving, loading cargoes, and operating cranes with breathable long-sleeved shirts and long pants that minimize the skin’s direct exposure to ultraviolet light
• Maintaining and checking each vehicle daily. Extreme heat and temperature conditions increase the risks of overheating and overall engine breakdown along with tire damage. Changes in temperature will alter the pressure in our tires, as hot air expands and takes more space than cool air
• Taking regular breaks throughout the day, adding seat cushions to provide more support and comfort while in traffic and we encourage our drivers to get a good night’s sleep. These steps minimize the associated risks to fatigue

Our professional truck drivers and crane operators understand the risks of the job, and preparation coupled with self-control informed by their experience, allows us to deliver and hoist your goods safely and to stay on top of our game.

We are officially ready for another busy summer and cannot wait to continue to assist you all!