Iowa DOT shared with farmers requirements for travel and solutions to prevent issues while working
The “Know before you Go” event sponsored by both the Iowa Corn Growers Association and US Cargo Control, was held last week to assist farmers with the information they need to operate safely as they transport agricultural products throughout the state of Iowa.
The two groups brought in two members of the Iowa Department of Transportation to share information and training with the area farmers.
According to the United States Department of Labor, farmers work in one of the most dangerous occupations in the country. Ranking at the top of the list are fishers and those working in the fishing industry. Farmers rank 8th as being one of the most dangerous occupations. They use some of the largest and heaviest types of machinery putting themselves and sometimes their family at risk.
Clickstop, Inc., which owns and operates US Cargo Control graciously opened their doors for the event providing a welcoming area for the attendees to meet.
US Cargo Control and Clickstop is located in the middle of farm country and expressed their appreciation of the farming community. US Cargo Control shared a presentation with the group about their products and the safety of them compared to the equipment that might be used around the farm.
The company demonstrated some of the straps they have available for securing loads and equipment that farmers might need to haul. Requirements for farmers are slightly different than traditional over the road truckers. With the Iowa DOT on hand, they were able to answer questions and to explain what they are looking for, how loads should be secured and the why's in a setting where farmers could ask for clarifications of some of the regulations and was a great benefit to the farmers.
Emphasizing safety, the IDOT reinforced the need for farmers to protect themselves and those that might cross their path on the road.
Time
was spent discussing the different ways to secure loads and the
different types of situations that farmers face. One topic discussed was hauling of loads inside enclosed trailers that also must be secured to keep them from
shifting and ways to do that.
The
IDOT explained that they are looking for the weak spots in loads that
are traveling on the highways. Their job is to make sure that the
equipment can handle the load, and should an accident occur, the load would not shift possibly causing more injuries.
Chains
used on loads must be adjustable according to IDOT regulations and those chains are rated by the working load limit on the chains used.
Using a different formula for how the load is secured, varies whether the load is secured from the side or if a chain or strap
covers the complete width of the load. Explaining that if multiple
chains are used, the IDOT will go by the WLL of the lowest value of
the chains used.
The
IDOT officers explained the necessity of inspecting other parts of the vehicle,
u bolts, airbags, wheel hubs, airlines and etc. Explaining that in
Iowa even reflective tape is required across 100% of the furthest
part of the back width of the truck and 50% of the side must have it.
Timpte provided a semi for use in the demonstration.
Other
providers of equipment included Bodensteiner, Truck Country and
Patten Equipment.
During
the lunch break, Tim Sanders shared about various equipment available
from US Cargo, discussing the dangers of breaking chains and the
damage and injuries that are caused by them, pointing out the benefits
of using the nylons straps produced at Clickstop.
In
another class, the US Cargo Control team provided a presentation
concerning safe ways to pull equipment when it either breaks down or
might become stuck in a field.
The company has become a leader in the industry by specializing in tie-downs, products made for flatbed trailers or van trailers, moving supplies, towing and auto hauling, rigging supplies and hardware as well as lifting slings. Because the company produces in house products they also have the ability to create and customize tarps, chain slings, tied down straps and cargo nets.
The Iowa Corn Growers Association ICGA is a 12-member board elected by
peers with two industry liaisons to lead the association on policy
and regulations set by the members. The board serves as a collective voice for Iowa corn farmers, lobbying on agricultural
issues at the state and federal level. A membership organization
lobbying to protect the rights of more than 8,000 corn farmer
members.
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Further nline sources are provided by the Iowa Motor Vehicle Enforcement:
www.iowadot.gov/mvd/motorcarriers/truckguide.pdf
https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/planner/
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