Items On Catwalk...and Hydraulic Lines...

Ok so today at work I hear one of the guys got yanked into the scale house on the weekend due to having a milk crate on the catwalk, a shovel and bars and because the hydraulic lines were hooked up.. This is what I heard through the grape vine so some information could be messed up..

They told him he couldn't have ANYTHING on the catwalk and apparently the hydraulic lines couldn't be hooked up.. Now I am not sure about the hydraulic lines because my supervisor/dispatch didn't mention anything about that.. They just clearly stated that anyone with stuff on the catwalk needs to be removed ASAP...

Now I do not understand this... I know the truck that did get pulled in has a milk crate so I can see how this would be an issue.. There is nothing stopping stuff from falling out I get that.. I on the other hand have a box with a lid on it.. This box is bungeed down.. Same with my shovel it's bungeed down to the bracket for the exhaust system (no it's not touching a hot part of the system).... So I don't see what is wrong with this... Even if they question the bungees and if your using straps they still say NOTHING on the catwalk.. What's the deal with this??? Anyone know if there is anything in the traffic act that says no?? Is this like standard around the industry or is it just Canada .... We drive day cabs so where are you suppose to put extra things when you have no frame rail boxes.. You can't put them inside cause technically is a projectile item.. So what you can't have spare stuff with you??

The second thing is hydraulic lines.. Now I contact the MOT (ministry of transport) about this a few years ago.. They said having the hoses hooked up while driving is perfectly fine.. They actually say it's safer to have them hooked up rather then just dangling from the trailer... I don't see the difference in having your hydraulic hoses hooked up compared to your airlines hooked up.. If you ripped out the hydraulic hoses thats your stupidity for not paying attention.. Also the oil can't just start pissing out because you need to have the PTO on for the air to enter the lines.... So I was told by one MTO officer that it is fine and dandy and not I hear that you can't have them hooked up.. So it's funny how you can ask one officer and they say yes then you ask another they say no.. I think they need to get their $#!T together and have one answer not 5 different answers from 5 different people..

So does anyone know of the specific laws regarding both these situations... Apparently they told us this is our final warning at the scales cause of several different things happening with drivers going into the scales.. They are a bit more lenient on us cause were government workers but they have had it with problem so I guess we are not going to be given the green light through the scales anymore.. Not to say we always get the green light but a lot of the times yes,.

This is probably more specific to Ontario, Canada.... But any insight would be greatly appreciated..

 

They really are getting nit-picky about things... I mean I know bungees have no WLL but to hold down a broom or a shovel you got to be kidding me... I have had my box on there for months now and it hasn't moved an inch with my bungees on it... This is just a pathetic money grabbing scam (both US and Canada) as far as I am concerned.. I understand the concept of it but I don't agree with it... I mean ok fine the box maybe but shovels, bars and brooms give it a rest MOT/DOT...


It is sounding like the laws are the same in both countries... I think maybe I might read the laws and know for sure.. I guess it don't matter either way cause if my work wants that stuff off the catwalk then so be it...

So maybe if you secure your generator to the catwalk with straps you might be ok right... If you put the hooks through a hole in the frame or over a bolt that sticks out....

Honestly this industry is going to force people out if you ask me... At what point do we as drivers say "enough is enough".... Without turning this into a topic about the industry I must say.. We need to stand up and fight certain things that are just ridiculous.. This is one of the most important jobs out there (and thankless too) as far as I am concerned.. Cause without these trucks nothing would get anywhere... Building materials for those law making a-hole and cars for those law making a-holes to drive to the building.. Not to mention the computers, pen, pencils, paper etc.... Do they forget how important this industry really is?? Sure other jobs are important too but like I said without a way to get the materials to these other important jobs how will these said job be done?? You can't train everything into exact locations....

Rant over..

 

In other words....

We are over regulated and under paid...