Category Archives: Driving Tips

May 7 – 13 is North American Occupational Safety and Health Week

NAOSH

Each year, over 1,100 workers are injured in the trucking industry. In addition to the danger and harm done to our drivers and workers, direct and indirect costs from injury are said to exceed $90 million annually.

Employees and employers in the trucking industry can both stand to benefit from a better understanding of safety procedures within their working environment.  Benefits can include:

> Reduced risk of workplace injury
> Secure livelihood and the ability to support self and family
> Improved quality of life
> Longer career
> No lost time due to injury

Occupational Safety and Health are real concerns within the trucking industry. TransX is committed to ensuring the safety of our drivers.  Each year, we recognize safe driving at our Annual Safety Awards Banquet. Drivers have the discretion to stop driving if they think they are at risk, regardless of the cause. Our safety training programs are comprehensive and provides adequate training on topics such as winter driving, dangerous goods handling, slip and fall and border security, just to name a few.

The North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week is a continent-wide event spanning Canada, USA and Mexico that highlight to the public, government, and industry the importance of increasing understanding, raising awareness and reducing injuries and illness in the workplace, at home and in the community.

It is a great opportunity to think again about safety when you are in or outside of the cab!  Visit the NAOSH website for more information.

Winter Survival Kit

Slippery or snow covered roads, reduced visibility, and bitter cold temperatures – winter in Canada can be quite unpredictable for drivers. That is why it is important for us, as drivers, to be prepared at all times and for all types of road conditions.

 

winter survival kitOne of the ways you can stay safe on the roads in winter is to keep a ‘survival kit’ with you on your long drives. Your kit should include items that would help you survive for 24 – 48 hours at a minimum, even without a heater.

 

 

Here are some items you might consider stocking up on for your ‘winter survival kit’:

  1. Matches & Candles
  2. Flashlights & Extra Batteries or a Wind Up Flashlight
  3. Non-perishable foods like protein or energy bars
  4. Water in Plastic Bottles (in case the water freezes, you don’t want the bottle to break)
  5. Blankets or sleeping bag
  6. Extra clothing such as shoes / boots, mitts, hats
  7. Shovel, Scraper and Snowbrush
  8. First Aid Kit
  9. Seatbelt Cutter
  10. Saw or Hatchet
  11. Wire and rope
  12. Tow rope
  13. Jumper cables
  14. Basic tool kit with pliers, crowbar / hammer, screwdrivers, adjustable wrench, duct tape and WD40
  15. Sand, salt or non-clumping cat litter

The list may seem long now but in the case of an emergency, you’ll be glad to have these items on hand! If you don’t already have a survival kit, take the time now to prepare one. When the roads get treacherous, remember to stay safe. Trust your judgement and take a break from your driving if you think the roads are not safe for driving.

 

Know Your Roads – Winter Driving Conditions to Watch Out For

winter road safety

 

Whether you’re driving for our Western, Eastern or Line Haul divisions, you’re sure to encounter some risky and dangerous road conditions in the winter from time to time. Especially if you’re driving longer routes, you might even witness drastic differences from region to the next!

So what do you have to watch out for? Let’s start with the basics:


Blizzards
Blizzards are the most dangerous of winter storms and are a combination of snow, high winds and low temperatures.
Issue: Falling, Blowing or Drifting Snow can significantly reduce road visibility


Heavy Snowfall
How much snow is considered a heavy snowfall? Environment Canada defines heavy snowfall as 15 – 20 cm within 24 hours (accumulation may be lower in temperate climates)
Issue: Reduced visibility


Freezing Rain or Drizzle
These can lead to ice storms resulting in icy and slippery roads and reduced visibility.
Issue: Ice covered roads, trees, power lines etc.


Cold Snap
A cold snap refers to rapidly falling temperature over a short period of time resulting in extreme cold.
Issue: Icy road conditions


Winds
Winds often create blizzards by causing blowing and drifting snow.
Issue: Reduced visibility and chance of wind chill


Black Ice
Just as the name suggests, black ice refers to the thin layer of ice on a road that is often hard to see and can make the road look black and shiny. Remember that the roads tend to freeze more quickly in shaded areas, on bridges and on overpasses and can remain long after the sun comes up!
Issue: Extremely slippery roads


Slush
Slush is what we call wet snow. Normally, melting snow is a good thing (means that temperatures are rising!) but slush can make it difficult for you to steer when it builds up in the well wheels.
Issue: Affects your steering


Remember, safety first on the road! Remember your training and trust your judgement. Stop and take a break from driving if you think the roads are unsafe.

Do you have any winter driving stories to share?

 

 

Active Living Helps You Keep on Trucking!

Trucking jobs canada

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How much activity do you participate in during the course of the week?

Active living is an approach to life that values physical activity at work, at school, at home, and during leisure time.

Active Living is not the same as a workout program. It is a conscious effort to be active every day of your life. Physical activity should never be rigorous.  It could be as simple as parking further away at the store and walking longer.  It could be gardening, playing with the kids, taking the dog for a walk, taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

This is easier than you think and here are some tips to help you keep on trucking! Continue reading →

Drivers’ Health and Safety on the Road

Did you know that over 800,000 Canadians over the age of 18 have been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea?  Recent studies show a strong correlation between sleep apnea related fatigue and vehicle crashes.

Do you know if you have sleep apnea?

While driving Your Lane do you find yourself fighting sleepiness? Do you wake up with headaches, sore throats, or unable to concentrate? Do you have memory lose, feel irritable or depressed?  These are all common symptoms of sleep apnea and we recommend visiting your physician asap.

Continue reading →

Safety First!

Nearly every job requires some level of safety training and every organization should make it a priority to ensure their assets are protected.  Unfortunately long-haul trucking is one of the most dangerous jobs and safety has more to do about the driver then it does the vehicle.

If trucking is a lifestyle to you, then taking care of Your Life is probably your top priority. Safety tips for you are; getting quality family time, a balanced diet, proper sleeping routines, exercising, and feeling confident behind the wheel.  These are important to you, your family, and to us too.

Continue reading →

e-Logs for Drivers

Technology! Technology! Technology!

Transportation is constantly evolving and one of the solutions is incorporating electronic logging devices (ELD).  An ELD will record a driver’s hours and automatically capture the hours of service.  An ELD provides many benefits to streamlining your operations.  Some of those benefits include quicker inspections, error free logs, efficient and accurate dispatches, fuel management and navigation. Continue reading →

Safety and Space for Trucks on Highways

Driving in winter is never fun, not for city drivers, not for rural roads and especially not for highways.

In some areas we’re all so used to bumper-to-bumper driving that we can’t help but carry the same attitude with us on the highway. Unfortunately this can have disastrous results.

Witness what happened recently to one couple who got too close to a semi truck, as reported by The Weather Network:

The lesson to be learned is for all drivers to be aware of all surroundings. As seen in the report, the weather conditions were in white-out conditions and its at times like this where even the sturdiest of trucks can incur some impact and if you’re not keenly aware of what’s going on around you, you may otherwise not feel deep impacts like the pull of an extra vehicle. Similarly, if a civilian car is not acutely paying attention to the truck in front, to the side of or behind them, then accidents can happen.

Remember – the best way to ensure your car’s safety is to give plenty of space. Truck drivers, including TransX drivers, are well trained in being aware of other vehicles on the road, but remember that view is limited. The best tip? If you can’t see a truck driver’s rear-view mirror, there’s a good chance they can’t see you either.