Three-Point Rule Helps Keep You On Your Feet
Falling while getting into or out of heavy equipment or a truck, hooking up air on electrical lines, and mounting or dismounting trailers can cause serious injury. In fact, falls to lower levels accounted for 86,946 injuries in 2002 and 6,207 deaths between 1993 and 2002, according to the 2004 edition of the National Safety Council’s “Injury Facts.”
The biggest cause of falls according to the University of Kansas Transportation Center is driver error and failure to follow the “Three-Point Rule.” The Three-Point Rule means three of your four limbs are in contact with the vehicle at all times — two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand. The system allows a person to have maximum stability and support, thereby reducing the likelihood of slipping and falling.
- Keep the following in mind when entering and exiting heavy equipment and trucks:
- Wear footwear with good support and slip resistance.
- Exit and enter facing the cab.
- Get a firm grip on rails or handles.
- Look for obstacles on the ground before exiting equipment.
- Exercise extra caution when working in inclement weather.
- Don’t climb down with something in your free hand. Put it on the vehicle floor and reach up for it after getting to the ground.
- Don’t rush when climbing out.
- Don’t use tires or wheel hubs as a step surface.
- Don’t use the door frame or door edge as a handhold.
No matter what type of access system your vehicle has, these tips along with the Three-Point Rule will significantly reduce the likelihood of a slip or fall.
[Courtesy of the National Safety Council.]
