cav551:
I’ve missed the step ring many times in the past. Also slipped between the cab and the body of an Ergo cab rigid when climbing to get on top of the load. I can’t get on the back of a trailer these days unless it’s got steps and a handle.
Yup, Scammell Crusader step ring, slipped off the bloody thing and foot landed with my all at the time 14 stone, ahem, on the edge of the kerb twisting my ankle over fully and saw me lying on the ground trying to control my language and breathing, ankle turned all the colours of the rainbow and it’s still weak to this day hence all my shoes apart from one formal pair of brogues are good quality lace up boots for the extra ankle support.
Two most spectacular dives were as follows.
On top of load of steel tensioning the chain, tensioner jaws welded to stop them spreading more, applying full force to pipe on tensioner, tensioner slips off i go straight off the side head first, thankfully a clear hard floor and got my arms out to take the blow, no breakages just sprains…so put on light duties, ie drive rolonoff instead of artic which involved sheeting or netting various loads manually
Top deck of car transporter, i’m mincing across the deck between two cars completely forgetting the gap in the middle, through which i plunged, managed to stop the fall with my elbows on the stamped deck and still have two chipped but never treated elbows.
Did that a few weeks ago in our yard. Got asked to move units in the yard.I drive a Scania so used to 3 steps jumped into a Merc and forgot the 4th step. Went flying landed on my backside. I was sent home straight away since it was a Friday.
Harry Monk:
Normally the trucks I drive have three steps, but yesterday I was put into some type of Mercedes which had four steps which was fine, until I forgot about the fourth step when climbing down hitting fresh air where I expected the ground to be and going arse over ■■■ in the yard. Luckily no-one saw me.
To make things worse, it wasn’t even the first time I’ve done this so I’m wondering if anyone can make me feel a bit better by admitting they’ve done this too?
Yep. It don’t help that some Mercs have four steps and some, with identical cab interiors, have three.
I used to have the opposite problem getting out of our Scania unit, it was an R series same as my rigid but mine was construction spec and it was distribution spec. I’d usually bang my foot down hard on the ground jarring my leg.
Back in the summer I fell out of the cab of my FH, I’d parked on uneven ground and obviously overbalanced when swinging out the door. Luckily it was only rough ground not concrete as I landed hard on my right arm, I had cuts and bruises and looked a proper mess. I think i was lucky not to have broken my arm
We have a variety of Mercedes (if any Mercedes could be considered a variety), some with 3, some with 4 steps. I’ve missed the bottom step and hit the non-existent 4th step on a regular basis, and my shins look like I’ve had major surgery several times. Nothing to be ashamed of, Harry!
H&S failure, your employer has put you at risk by not informing you of the correct method of exiting the truck and the number of steps involved. The latter is especially pertinent as it has been pointed out similar trucks have only three steps.
Go and see a no-win no-fee lawyer.
bit tragic this one, but , we had a 32 stone driver at salvesen northampton , slipped off the bottom step of a daf 85 while cleaning the n/s mirror , broke his leg badly and nver drove again.
tonyj105:
bit tragic this one, but , we had a 32 stone driver
That’s awful!
yes it was , he slid down the grass bank on his arse to try and get help , which didn’t help him at all . he eventually went into the office on nights, office wheeled chair versus 32 stone Vic, no contest really, chair a week . the leg never really healed due to his weight .
As part of the induction for RM last year, Christmas job, the trainer said how all the units used to be daf cf’s. Since they changed supplier to MAN they had a spate of drivers going tom due to missing the last step.
Harry Monk:
Normally the trucks I drive have three steps, but yesterday I was put into some type of Mercedes which had four steps which was fine, until I forgot about the fourth step when climbing down hitting fresh air where I expected the ground to be and going arse over ■■■ in the yard. Luckily no-one saw me.
To make things worse, it wasn’t even the first time I’ve done this so I’m wondering if anyone can make me feel a bit better by admitting they’ve done this too?
Good job you weren’t in the magnum, that would be some fall, seen it happen a few times not a good sight, harry at your age you should be looking before you leap
I was sitting in the passenger seat of a magnum having been stuck on a building site with another driver I know on a wet miserable day one winter. The groundworkers gave me a wave to bring my lorry down to get tipped so out I went…freefall. Ended up flat on my back in 3 inches of muddy water. I don’t know why but everyone found it funny
Awaiting loading at a large flower and plant packers off with boots feet on steering wheel. Got tap on cab saying ready now driver, slid boots on went climb down steps but had got pins and needles in one of legs didn’t realise how numbness would affect me. Straight down on concrete in front of a crowd. Only thing severely bruised was my ego
Not a fall as such, but equally embarrassing; I got out of the cab in our yard like a good boy with three points of contact etc, but I’d forgotten about the extremely tall traffic cone I’d parked beside so I confidently and quickly climbed down and speared my hoop on top of the cone and ended up on tip toes desperately trying to keep my virginity whilst looking out for witnesses!
