Trucking Regulations Can Add to Driver Health Problems

In today’s safety-conscious environment for the trucking industry, the professional truck driver is facing the possibilities of more regulations, all in the name of safety.  Nobody will dispute the importance of safety, but a major aspect that is most often overlooked by these regulators is the effect these regulations can have on the overall health of the driver.

Truck driver health is an important issue that seldom receives the media attention that it deserves.  We are all familiar with the health problems that many drivers face, all due to the trucking lifestyle.

When you dig a little deeper, you will discover that most of these health issues can be attributed to one single factor: stress.  Dig even more, and you will find that truck driver health problems can be brought on by something as seemingly simple as a change or revision within a particular regulation.

Serious thought should be given by the FMCSA on the possible health risks that drivers may experience when a new regulation is being considered, such as the proposed hours of service (HOS) change.  We are all well informed on the various categories of illnesses that the trucking lifestyle brings, but one really only needs to look at one single element, the stress factor.

Clinical research has shown that stress causes as much as sixty to ninety percent of all illnesses.  The professional driver is already surrounded by a very stressful environment and perhaps the number one focus of any driver is finances.  When regulations are imposed that can cut into the drivers’ ability to earn a living, financial stress and worry can lead to serious health complications.

Stress has been shown to be directly related to physical complications such as:

High Blood PressureDiabetesSleep DisordersHeart DiseaseEating DisordersObesity

Stress is also the determining factor in other health issues including :  chronic unexplained pain, ulcers, heartburn, increased asthma attacks, migraines,  Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Autoimmune Diseases.  Nearly all of the health complications that are seen in the professional trucker can be directly linked to stress, and women truck drivers are also not immune to its effects.

Stress in women can lead to health issues including:

Eating disorders such as Anorexia and Bulimia which are 10 times more common in women than in menStomach ailments such as cramps, bloating, heartburn and IBS which can lead to weight loss or gainEmotional conditions including depression which strikes women twice as often as their male counterpartsSleep problems including insomniaDifficulty in concentrationLowered immune response

The effects of stress on women can have even further health complications such as changes in menstrual patterns, skin reactions including rashes and hives, infertility and even cancer of the breast and ovaries.  An entire array of illnesses and health problems, many associated with the professional truck driver and all brought on by stress.

As I receive many emails from drivers who are concerned with the impending HOS rule change, I find that they all have one aspect in common . . . all are worried about the financial stress that the new regulation will place on them.  Will they be able to get enough miles to pay their bills and support their loved ones?   This is the common denominator that I am finding in the emails and phone calls received by long haul truckers across the country.

Trucking regulations that overlap others, such as the HOS rules, speed limiters and EOBR’s, can only enhance the level of stress in truck drivers who are already fighting against low miles and cheap freight.  Regulations, even with good intentions, for many drivers will turn out adding to the already serious health issue that drivers’ face.

For the FMCSA,  it can appear to only be a simple change or revision to the hours of service rule . . . for the professional truck driver, it can be a direct assault to their livelihood and one that could lead to further health problems all brought on by a scientifically proven killer called stress.

© 2011, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: FMCSA, health, hos, HOS rule change, hours of service, stress, truck driver, truck driver health, trucking, trucking regulation, women stress

Tagged with: FMCSA • health • hos • HOS rule change • hours of service • stress • truck driver • truck driver health • trucking • trucking regulation • women stress

Filed under: FMCSA • Jobs and Careers • Safety • Truck Driving Jobs • Truckers Health • Woman Truckers • otr trucking • trucking • trucking life

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Prevent Bucket Truck A/C Problems With Proper Maintenance!

Comfort while operating any vehicle is very important. For bucket truck operators, it helps retain focus on the job being done rather than individual comfort needs. When the A/C unit fails, it causes physical discomfort for the driver. It causes time and money to be spent: time for the repairs of the cooling system to be done and money in the form of not only the repair cost but the value of the time lost while the bucket truck is being repaired.

Since the owners and operators of bucket trucks most likely do not know how to fix such problems, the best solution is to avoid the problem completely by regular preventive maintenance to the A/C unit of the truck. Following are some helpful ideas and tips on how to properly maintain the bucket truck cab's cooling system.

Problem Detection

It should not be difficult to detect the symptoms of a failing cooling system inside a bucket truck. A clogged A/C drain could cause wet carpeting inside the cab during hot, humid days. It is important to check if the drain is working correctly by looking underneath the vehicle. Also, it is actually very normal for there to be some fluid underneath the vehicle when it is initially parked and turned off. The time to be concerned is when there is NO dripped water underneath the truck when not operating; that could indicate that the cooling system is not working properly. Below are some other air conditioning problem indicators.

Sound- When the fan is turned on and unusual sounds are heard, it may indicate some debris in the fan blower.
Smell- When the A/C system is turned on, if it smells musty or unpleasant, this may indicated that mold or mildew is growing inside of the evaporator.
No A/C- When there is no cooled air coming out of the vents, it could indicate a frozen evaporator in the Air Conditioning system.

Problem Resolution

Once the difficulty has been identified, there are certain trouble-shooting items that can be done to correct the problems that are listed below.

Condenser - The air conditioning condenser resembles the radiator and is actually located just in front of it. The hot refrigerant circulates through the condenser; the air flows through the condenser's cooling fins to cool the heated air. Check the condenser regularly to make sure that it is free from debris and properly working. Due to its location at the front of the vehicle, debris can restrict the air flow and prevent the refrigerant from cooling the heated air.
Preventing Mold and Mildew - When the bucket truck is parked, switching the A/C recirculation off can prevent or reduce mold and mildew from building up. If a recirculation switch is not available, when the engine is shut off turning the cooling system away from the maximum air cooling (Max Air) position can be helpful. If this problem continues in spite of the prior attempts and there still remains an unpleasant odor during A/C operations, the only remedy to eliminate the smell is taking the truck to the service department for evaporator cleaning.
Drive Belt - The drive belt is located under the hood; this is one of the very important components of the truck's cooling system. This simple belt causes the compressor to turn every time the engine is turned on. The compressor maintains the circulation of the refrigerant through the system. It is recommended that the belt should be checked periodically to make sure that it is in good shape and free from any obvious wear or cracking. The drive belt should be replaced with a new one when any damage is detected. If the belt becomes too worn or damaged, it could cause the belt to slip or break which would stop the compressor from turning and shut down the air conditioning system.

Severe failures and costly repairs for the truck's air conditioning unit can be prevented by some simple maintenance mentioned above. Don't let problems happen that could be avoided by some basic upkeep on that important A/C unit and avoid being left out in the heat on a hot summer day!

Christopher M. Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. Click here to find out more about Bucket Trucks.

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Remove Waste Problems With Your Vacuum Truck!

Of all the trucks on the streets, the vacuum truck is highly underrated for their importance to the commercial vehicle industry. They are extremely versatile pieces of equipment that perform some of the most dangerous and yet dirtiest jobs in the world. This equipment usually handles both hazardous and non-hazardous material, making them very useful in municipalities for industrial clean-up and life-saving activities. These vehicles are environmentally friendly because they ensure that the health of the general public is not compromised.

Usage Information

A vacuum truck has a wide range of uses. It is able to perform several types of jobs that other pieces of equipment are unable to do. The following are a few of the uses of this versatile vehicle.

Street Cleanup - Sweeping the streets in urban areas is one major job this truck is able to handle. The suction system can efficiently vacuum deep crevices, curb sides, blind alleys, dead-ends and under street debris. They are frequently used by municipalities because they can easily remove bulky litter along streets such as bottles and cans. Additionally, vacuum trucks can clean garbage using the built-in hydro-jet as well as easily suction piles of leaves in suburban areas.
Septic Tank Cleaning - To prevent a septic tank from overflowing and to promote its proper functioning, this equipment can aid in the maintenance process. The equipment can vacuum scum, wastewater and sludge out of the septic tank to maintain and improve the lifespan of the tank system. Pumping the tank periodically by using a vacuum truck can also prevent clogging and contamination from occurring and enhance normal functioning.
Trench Collapse Rescue Operations - During trench cave-in rescue operations, the Fire Department deploys several of these vehicles to save victims. Instead of using shovels to excavate and recover the victim, the rescuers can utilize high-tech tools to rapidly rescue the trapped individual. During this kind of operation, first responders have a sense of pressure due to the heightened danger that comes with this life-saving activity. As an emergency response, pneumatic vacuum trucks are used to excavate and remove soil that has covered the victim.
Catch Basin and Storm Drain Pumping - When there is a hurricane, flash flooding usually occurs due to non-stop rain. After the flood has subsided, catch basins and storm drains are filled with debris, which if not immediately addressed, will significantly block and clog the sewer system impeding the normal flow of rain water. In this scenario, vacuum trucks can aid in emergency clean-up. This equipment can clean one catch basin per hour, which would take a normal person approximately two to three hours to clean. It can suction mud and then the built-in hydro-jet can pressure wash the side of the storm drain walls.
Oil Spill Cleanup - Currently, oil is considered to be one of the most precious substances in the world. The value of oil is nothing compared to the devastating effect it has if it is spilled or leaked into a body of water. A gallon of oil is capable of making an acre-sized oil slick that is very appealing to fish because it bears a physical resemblance to food. This is very dangerous to marine life and the coastal environment. Oil spills, just like the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, can be cleaned up using this equipment. Clean up crews can utilize a method called "containment and skimming" to remove oil slicks. These include on-site burning and the addition of biological cleaning agents which are considered to be environmentally threatening and risky. There is only one option that is regarded as safe and that is the use of vacuum trucks.

Vacuum truck usage is diversified. It is unique and versatile as it can handle a wide variety of jobs that are often taken for granted by most of the population. The operation of these vehicles can make a significant difference in keeping both industrial and municipal waste problems from becoming more dangerous!

Christopher M. Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. To find out more about Vacuum Trucks, go to the main website at: http://www.vacuumtrucksales.net/home.

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Septic Trucks Pump Away Septic Tank Problems!

Septic trucks are extremely useful vehicles that are often overlooked in the world of commercial trucks. They do not have a glamorous job like firefighting bucket trucks that rescue stranded people; or crane trucks that lift large, heavy objects high into the air; or gigantic dump trucks that are the heart of the construction site. When there is an ad: "Septic Trucks for Sale" are there hundreds of responses? Yet how would owners of septic tanks get them clean - by themselves? So these trucks do indeed appear to be a valuable rescuer in the world of septic systems.

Those without these containers probably do not understand what this process involves. Vacuum tank pumping is an essential method used for preventive maintenance. It is not only helpful in maintaining the system at an optimal level of function; it can also have a major impact on the performance of the receptacle.

These tanks are engineered to hold wastewater from household drains. Pumping them is necessary to remove the scum and sludge that accumulates and fills it to capacity. Removing the effluence from the cylindrical container using a vacuum truck is an important process. This maintenance procedure should be closely followed to ensure that the effluence removal is done correctly.

Inspection

An inspection of this container is something that one should understand prior to the removal and cleaning of the tank. This examination is usually performed by a qualified contractor. It is done by checking solid accumulation and determines the current condition of the tank.

The pumper will do the following prior to the actual pumping:

Locate the underground container.
Remove the manhole cover and listen for any sounds and ascertain safety in the surrounding area.
Check the level of effluence. A high level of effluence means a clogged outlet or drain field, while a low effluence level means that there is a crack or leakage in the system.
Check to make sure the wastewater passes over the baffles. This is a strong signal that the septic tank has experienced failure.
Measure the accumulated solids inside the vessel using the 'Sludge Judge' or a similar type of device. This tool is a long, hollow, transparent piece of plastic branded with one-foot accretion. This will be inserted into the tank until it reaches the bottom and will then be removed to check the liquid and solid levels. This method will measure if the cistern needs to be pumped.
Inspect the vessel's components and its water-tightness. These tanks can be made from fiberglass, concrete or plastic and should be watertight. This is important to make sure wastewater will not contaminate the groundwater.
Check the condition of the baffles. Inspection will be done to determine if the baffles are still connected to the inlet and outlet pipe. Commonly, in concrete models, the baffles are checked for missing or corroded parts. These baffles are installed to slow down the water from the drain field going into the tank to ascertain that the solid materials will settle at the bottom of the cylinder.
Check to see if the container has an effluence filter. The filter is located on the outlet and it is necessary to check this component because it will prevent solids from getting into the drain field.

In septic tank pumping, it is important to know the correct procedures performed by the pumper. Routine inspections before pumping the septic tank are vital in determining the condition of the tank as well as ensuring safety while emptying the cistern.

This is some basic information about septic trucks and tanks - and how important one is to the other. So the next time there is an ad for septic trucks for sale, remember the useful job this often-overlooked commercial vehicle performs as it pumps away septic tank problems!

Christopher M. Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. To find out more about Septic Trucks For Sale, go to the main website at: http://www.vacuumtrucksales.net/home.

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