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Precautions for Hauling Livestock

posted by TrueNorth and TSA (Truckers Service Association) on Thursday, May 5, 2016

Safety is especially important when you are charged with hauling live animals. These loads are particularly difficult: the well-being of the animals being transported can easily be jeopardized, and as a driver you are forced to compensate as the weight in the load continually shifts. 

Animal injury or death during travel is unfavorable for every party involved. Use these guidelines to ensure you and your load make it to the destination without harm or injury:

• Eliminate protruding nails, boards or anything else inside the truck that could potentially harm the livestock during transit. 
• Use bedding to prevent the livestock from slipping on the trailer's slick floors. 
• In unfavorable weather conditions, cover the trailer if possible to protect livestock from the harsh elements. 
• If you are loading the animals, use two people if possible and avoid leading them into the trailer - it is much safer to herd them into the truck. 
• Make sure different classes of livestock are separated using partitions. 
• Remove all equipment from animals before loading, such as halters, and dehorn cattle for their safety and the safety of the other livestock.
• If you are driving a double-deck truck, make sure the weight is distributed evenly between levels. 
• According to a recent study, fatigue is the leading cause of accidents among livestock truck drivers. Take every possible measure to ensure you are not tired during your drive, especially in the early morning hours when most crashes occur. 
• Be especially alert and attentive to the road, as livestock is continually shifting in the trailer. This leaves significantly less room for driver error, which could result in jackknifing, tipping or loss of control. 
• Follow industry guidelines indicating the number of livestock that can be safely loaded in a given-sized truck.

TrueNorth Keeps You Safe on the Road

At TrueNorth, our mission is to assist transportation companies and their people with protecting and maximizing assets, resources and opportunities.  Learn how TrueNorth's Transportation Division can help you achieve your goals and provide peace of mind while you're on the road.  Call us today at (800) 877-9637.