Safety Measures to Observe When Using a TMA Truck
A truck mounted attenuator is an attenuating crash cushion attached to trucks that are prone to impact from oncoming vehicles on road project sites. The attenuator is designed to absorb the impact of a collision and slow down the oncoming vehicle to prevent it from crashing into the workers and machinery on site. Observing the following measures when using a TMA truck in your work zone is a sure way of increasing the safety of workers.
Choose a quality attenuator
The attenuator is the key equipment that turns a regular truck into a life-saving device. Without it, a TMA truck would just be like any other truck with a body and chassis. Choosing the right attenuator is necessary as the life of your workers depends on it. There are standard size attenuators on the market, which can withstand different weights from collision vehicles. Also, they are available in tiltable and affordable designs. Regardless of the type you choose, ensure it is of quality.
Install a backup camera system
One of the leading causes of accidents on road work projects is workers getting backed into by construction vehicles. Backup camera systems should be installed on the back of the TMA truck to allow the driver or operator to have a clear view of both the front and back of the truck. This can help increase workers' safety and reduce fatal accidents on the sites.
Install ballasts on TMA trucks
Ballasts give the TMA truck additional weight to withstand impact during a crash. If not properly ballasted, a TMA truck will lack sufficient weight to absorb the force of the impact. This can increase the roll-ahead distance of the truck and cause damage to machinery and equipment, or injury to workers. Also, if the ballasts are not properly secure, they can break free and become a projectile on the work zone. Ensure that the TMA truck is adequately ballasted and that the ballasts are secured properly.
Avoid bad weather
Poor visibility can cause fatal accidents on a project site. Avoid working in bad weather, like during misty and foggy weather, since the truck driver may not be able to see the road properly. You can halt your project until the weather becomes favourable. If you have to work during the evening or at night, ensure that the TMA truck has LED lights. LED lights are preferable as they give off more light compared to other types of lights, and they are easy to replace.
TMA trucks are suitable for increasing the safety of workers on a road work project. With these safety measures and practices, you can increase workers' security and efficiency on their work zones.