Hazard:
Vehicle damage and road debris from loose and unsecured items falling / flying from truck bed.
Debris and material in trucks have become lodged between bottom edge of tailgate and truck bed. Smaller pieces as seen here fall out on to the bumper and roadway when the truck is traveling. Items also fall out when opening tailgate.
Large unsecured items (i.e. buckets, boxes, plywood, cardboard) blow out of the truck bed onto the roadway as the vehicle is traveling along roadways and highways – these unsecured items become airborne missiles!
This results in broken windshields and body damage to vehicles traveling behind you. Drivers call our business phone number painted on the truck – You are Driving a Billboard – and VSC pays to repair the damages!
Corrective Action:
Clean truck bed daily and put debris in a secured bucket. Dispose of debris before bucket is full. Secure loose small materials, equipment, and tools in appropriate containers. Cardboard boxes containing these items often become damaged from rain and handling and must be removed before they break open. Secure containers, buckets, boxes and larger items by properly tying them down in the truck bed, or carrying them in the cab of the vehicle if they can be safely transported without creating an interior hazard.