The Importance Of Three Points Of Contact

Ouch! Just goes to show even doing things properly can result in injuries. Glad to hear you're improving.

In our yard I've seen numerous drivers come down facing forward. It always looks like they're falling out of the truck and just makes me shake my head. It doesn't save you any time coming down forward. My mom did a ride-along with me in October and her first time came down facing forward despite showing her how to safely get out. Of course she nearly fell and then understood why 3 points is a must. It's also worth mentioning to be aware of what you're stepping down on/into. Aside from the nastiness you may find at truck stops, you may step on uneven ground and mess up your ankle.

Thanks everyone. Yeah even with three points of contact I was injured.

I tried the facing out thing as a trainee. Slid down on my back. You’ll only make that mistake once.

Thanks everyone. Yeah even with three points of contact I was injured.

I tried the facing out thing as a trainee. Slid down on my back. You’ll only make that mistake once.

Man, I hope you feel better soon, as well, Grumpy!

The ONE time I tried walking out forward, Tom was there to catch me. Ten years ago, he could; now ... haha! Not so sure. It happens.

I've got an 'apparatus' in my Radius on my rt. arm, similar. They removed the one in my Ulna. Set screws kept slipping out. Was a painful year of my life, and I sure 'WASN'T PARTYING LIKE IT WAS ... 1999 !' I rolled a Subaru Justy... 3 cylinder 5 speed...on black ice in WVa. Taught me respect for the weather, for sure. I was actually following an 18 wheeler from Valley Transport (GREAT guy....) but he had to exit where we stopped for coffee & V8 .... and somehow... I missed the highway. He had me on the CB for 180 miles... anyway. Great guy. I77 in Parkersburg .. if y'all know him; I don't! Even gave me a company sweat shirt.. his wife was asleep in the bunk and his cat kept licking me!

Re: your foot, omg ! Metatarsals AND tarsals... ouch. I've broken a few tarsals in my Jet Ski days ... but this is a 'trucking' site, so ... no details necessary, haha!

It's at least good to see you up & around in these parts!

I'm still waiting for the 'GO AHEAD' from MY Dr's about the torn rotator cuff and hairline fracture in the 'fingers' of my scapula (glimerohumeros?) which isn't so 'humorous' either.

Best to ya!

~ Anne & Tom ~

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Sorry to hear man, hope you heal quickly and thank you for the reminder!

I had a coworker at my last driving job who also slipped and fell despite using three points of contact. Unfortunately in his case he required surgery and was out of the seat for well over a year

Hopefully you get better soon!

When I was in CDL school it was raining one day and I ended up slipping getting into the passenger side, had one leg on the top step and the other on the ground. Luckily I didn't get hurt just bruised my ego since another student had to help me.

That is exactly what happened to me. I think my shoe got jammed somehow because I had to lift myself up with my arms to get my foot off the top step. Maybe that’s why my foot broke.

It happened so fast and I was in massive pain so everything is kind of hazy to be honest.

But I should hopefully be cleared Wednesday at my doctor appointment and head to Wisconsin on Saturday to road test on Monday.

If we are out of work more than 30 days we have to do a road and skills test just like a new driver before we can get back behind the wheel

Hopefully you get better soon!

When I was in CDL school it was raining one day and I ended up slipping getting into the passenger side, had one leg on the top step and the other on the ground. Luckily I didn't get hurt just bruised my ego since another student had to help me.