1. UTILITY TRAILER SAFETY Presented by: Louisiana Tech University Office of Environmental Health and Safety

2. SIGN IN SHEET PLEASE SIGN YOUR NAME ON THE SAFETY MEETING REPORT FORM

3. DEFINITIONS Trailer- A cart or wagon designed to haul freight and is be pulled by an auto, truck, or tractor Trailer Hitch- The combination of a coupler at the tip of a trailer tongue or A-frame and a ball attached to the rear of a vehicle Coupler- The part of the trailer hitch which fits over and is secured to the ball Ball- A ball of varying sizes (usually 1.75”, 2.0”, 2.5”) which is tightly secured to the draw works on the tow vehicle Safety Chains- Chains which are permanently attached to the tongue of a trailer which are connected to the tow vehicle when the trailer is towed

4. DEFINITIONS- CONT’D Coupler Safety Pin- a bolt, special pin, or lock which is inserted through a hole and lever on a coupler to prevent the coupler from opening while the trailer is being pulled Receiver- A part which is permanently attached to the tow vehicle which accepts the draw bar Draw Bar- The part of the hitch to which the ball is attached. It is pinned into the Receiver with a lock or pin Trailer Brakes- Surge or electric brakes on trailers that are required to safety stop most trailers Tire Load Index/Range- Labels on tires used to indicate how much a particular tire can support.

5. DEFINITIONS- CONT’D Wiring Harness- Used to conduct electricity from the tow vehicle to the lights and brakes on the trailer Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)- maximum allowable total weight of a tow vehicle itself plus fuel, passengers, cargo and trailer tongue weight Gross Trailer Weight Rating (GTWR)- Total weight of a trailer that is loaded to capacity (Used in rating trailer hitches) Static Tongue Load (STL)- Weight of trailer as measured at the trailer coupling (Must be 10-15% of the GTWR) Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)- Maximum distributed load that can be supported by an axle

6. DEFINITIONS- CONT’D Sway Control- A device which reduced the pivoting between the tow vehicle and a trailer Break Away Switch- A trailer component which is attached to the brakes of a trailer that automatically stops a trailer if there is a separation of the tow vehicle and a trailer Secure Load- A load that has been tied, chained, or strapped to the trailer so that it does not shift in any way when the trailer is in motion

7. DEFINITIONS-CONT’D Responsible Supervisors- Superintendents and foremen of all personnel who operate or travel in tow vehicles or trailers. Responsible Person- The driver of a tow vehicle which has a trailer physically attached to it. Passenger- Any person who is riding in a tow vehicle or on a trailer that is physical attached to it. ALL MUST BE EMPLOYEES OF LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY

8. BASIC SAFETY RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Superintendents and Foremen are responsible for: 1.Providing tow vehicles and trailers which meet acceptable safety standards; 2.Providing for the maintenance of tow vehicles and trailers to assure; 3.Developing instructions for the proper operation and use of tow vehicles and trailers 4.Developing appropriate JSAs and other safety rules for the safe operation of tow vehicles and trailers 5.Monitoring the practices of their employees when they operate tow vehicles and trailers; 6.Taking appropriate disciplinary actions against those employees who violate safety rules, policies, laws and regulations regarding the use and operation of tow vehicles and trailers

9. BASIC SAFETY RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The driver of the tow vehicle is totally responsible for: 1.The proper coupling of a trailer to a tow vehicle (coupling includes connecting hitch to receiver, hitch to trailer to hitch, securing safety chains, connecting light/brakes); 2.Safe operation of the tow vehicle and trailer; 3.Proper distribution of the load ( cargo and passengers) on the trailer; 4.The safe conduct of all occupants of the tow vehicle and trailer; 5.Monitoring the movement of the tow vehicle and trailer while they are in motion; 6.Monitoring the the stability of the load on the trailer while in motion; 7.Any damages caused by the tow vehicle or trailer.

10. BASIC SAFETY RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Never load a truck/trailer combination to exceed the GVWR of the tow vehicle Never load a trailer to exceed the GTWR, STL, and/or GAWR of the trailers (remember to include the weights of the load and passengers in you calculations) Never exceed the tire load index/range ratings for the tires on the tow vehicle or trailer Supervisors are responsible for providing drivers with the tire load index and ratings, GVWR, GTWR, STL, and GAWR for the truck/trailer combinations used by their personnel

11. BASIC SAFETY RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Riders are STRICTLY PROHIBITED from riding on the front, back or sides/rails of any trailer is while the trailer is in motion. Riders MUST be seated on the floor of the trailer or on a bench which is permanently attached to the bed of the trailer. Riders must be located on the trailer such that the appropriate distribution of the weight on the trailer is maintained.

12. COMMON QUESTION In an accident involving a truck and a utility trailer would the trailer be covered by the auto's insurance or does it require a separate policy?

13. ANSWER from http://www.firsteagle.com/ait.htm You would have to check your policy (see disclaimer notice below)... Your insured car means: The vehicle described in the Declarations of the policy or any private passenger car with which you replace it. You must advise your insurance company within a specified period mentioned in your policy of any change of private passenger car or utility car. Any additional private passenger car or utility car of which you acquire ownership during the policy period. Provided that you notify your insurance company within specified period mentioned in your policy of its acquisition. Any utility trailer: a. That you own, or b. While attached to your insured car. Any private passenger car, utility car or utility trailer not owned by you or a family member while being temporarily used as a substitute for any other vehicle described in this definition because of its withdrawal from normal use due to breakdown, repair, servicing, loss or destruction. Disclaimer notice: Above mentioned terms and definitions are not intended to replace or be the exact explanation of the definitions or conditions of your policy, they are merely for general information purposes. For exact definitions and conditions applying to your auto insurance, please refer to your auto insurance policy agreement.

14. For More About Trailer Operation and Safety Contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety to obtain the video: “Utility Trailer Towing Safety”