Dangerous curtains

The problems of loading and unloading tautliners in high winds is addressed by a new information sheet published by Worksafe Victoria.

The sheet tries to suggest strategies to reduce the risk of injury from flying buckles and other curtain fittings, especially the end-pole. The document can be downloaded from the Worksafe Victoria website

Suggestions like only undoing curtains inside a warehouse may be difficult to follow but the idea of doing a risk assessment of a particular yard to take into account the effect of different wind strengths and directions could be useful.

The also suggest headgear and protective glasses when unloading a tautliner. This suggestion is not going to go down well with drivers already having to jump through so many hoops just to get on the road in a truck, these days.