Rocks and spillage: Material in the road must not be ignored, but rather be dealt with immediately. Shot rock can often have sharp edges that can slice through the tread or sidewall of the tire. Go around the hazard, and call the dispatcher or the operator of a nearby piece of support equipment to have it removed at once.

Dump pocket hazards: Haul truck operators must do everything they can to avoid making direct contact with concrete bumper blocks at the back of dump pockets. These back stops can severely shorten tire life. When backing up to a crusher, make sure there is no spillage in the pocket that the truck will either back over or sit directly upon while dumping its load.

Windrows: Straddling windrows can be unavoidable. Make efforts to stay on one side or the other, when conditions allow. If you must cross over a windrow, look for a spot that appears to have the least risk of hazardous material. If you are meeting a loaded haul truck that is straddling a windrow, do what you can to assist the operator in avoiding hazardous conditions. Be prepared to yield or stop until they are in the clear.

Wheel loader operator responsibilities

Wheel loader operators have a significant contribution to the way in which haul trucks and their tires perform. The truck has to deal with and haul the load as loaded by the wheel loader operator. In addition, the loader operator must maintain a clean loading area. He or she needs to balance the requirements of safety, productivity, and tire hazard control when loading trucks.

If there is water on the floor of the pit where trucks are being loaded, it could hide tire hazards such as submerged rocks. Tires cut up to 50 percent more easily when they are wet. When possible, de-water loading pits to ensure that trucks and other rubber-tired machinery can operate safely.

Three major issues for wheel loader operators loading haul trucks include the following:

Tire damage hazards while trucks are backing in and loading. The loader operator is responsible for maintaining a safe and productive loading area. The loading zone must be clear and free of material that could cause tire damage. Loader operators should operate smoothly and consistently throughout their work cycle to minimize spillage of aggregate over the sides and back of the bucket.

The position of the truck while being loaded. Position trucks to maintain loading productivity and avoid any spilled material. Truck tires should never come to a stop on the toe of the rock wall or on top of any shot rock. The truck operator should pull forward until the truck is level.

The size, shape, position, and total weight of the load. The wheel loader’s biggest contribution to tire life is the consistent production of optimum loads. Haul trucks are designed, built, and optimized to haul a load of specified weight. Loads should be evenly distributed in the truck’s dump bed. Trucks should never be loaded beyond their rated capacity, as this places extra stress on the tires and other truck components. Avoid overloading at all costs.

The bottom line

A proactive tire inspection and care program can not only help to ensure the safety of your haul truck operators and ground personnel, it can also help you get more life out of these expensive assets. Identifying and mitigating truck tire hazards in the quarry can also help you keep your truck fleet productive and significantly reduce or eliminate one significant source of unplanned downtime. AM

Article courtesy of VISTA Training Inc.

Best Practices for Haulage Equipment Operators

If you can answer “yes” to the following questions, chances are you will leave work today without having an accident.

DID YOU…

Approach the machine safely?

Maintain three points of contact (two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand) while mounting or dismounting?