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May 2008
Welcome to the Professional Safety articles section. Here you'll find this month's offering of articles that deliver cutting-edge information, lessons learned and practical guidance from practioners in the safety, health, and environmental profession.
Full-issue PDFs of Professional Safety (from January 2005 forward) are now available to members through ASSE's Members Only website. Each file contains interactive links to help members navigate through the file. We've also included links to ASSE, regulatory agencies and other sources, and the journal's advertisers. A reader simply needs to mouse over a link to be redirected.
Cover Story
Occupational hazards
Truck Falls: Examining the Nature of the Problem
By Robert E. McClay
This article examines the nature and extent of the problems associated with semitrailer truck drivers falling from their trucks. The prevalent factors that comprise the fall hazards are described-including the relationship of these hazards with regulations that affect over-the-road truck operations. J. Nigel Ellis's article (starting on p. 36) discusses measures that can minimize the risks associated with these hazards.
Features
Fall Hazards
Tarping Flatbed Trailers: Recognizing and Responding to Fall Exposures
By J. Nigel Ellis
Truck drivers face the danger of falls while climbing onto the trailer and/or especially the load. Loads often must be tarped after the flatbeds have been loaded by cranes or forklifts. When heavy tarps are unfolded and pulled into position, they can give rise to hidden voids with unstable stepping that can cause the driver to fall from the load onto the deck or ground. This article examines the options for and opportunities to protect drivers at shipping points and destinations.
Safety Engineering
Social Controls for Reducing Risk: Observations on U.S. & European Approaches
By Bruce W. Main
In 2006, a group of safety specialists and designers gathered in Europe to discuss safety by design-primarily how to incorporate safety concerns early in the design process. This article examines some of the key ideas from the workshop.