Many trucking companies do not allow employees to clear snow from their vehicle's roof

This year's winter was particularly snowy in many parts of the U.S., which has urged lawmakers to draft new proposals concerning proper snow removal in passenger vehicles to prevent snow from flying over rooftops and compromising safety. However, parts of the proposal are currently in place and have affected the trucking industry for years.

Current law states that operators of tractor-trailers must remove snow from the roof of their vehicles in an effort to promote trucking safety, The Star-Ledger reports.

The problem lies in the fact that many trucking companies do not allow their employees to climb on top of their vehicles to remove snow because of insurance and liability concerns. As a result, most drivers are required to pay a fine of $100.

"If [operators] had an opportunity to go to a cleaning station and did not, then [they] will definitely be responsible for the ticket," Alex Cuevas, employee of a food transportation company based in Pennsylvania. “If [they] did not have an opportunity to go to a cleaning station then the company may pay for the ticket."

Enrolling employees into online truck driving safety courses may be beneficial to older and newer operators in teaching them proper snow removal as well as outlining locations that can assist them in this matter.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, nearly 93,000 injuries occurred from accidents involving large trucks and buses.

By Mark Priest

Many trucking companies do not allow employees to clear snow from their vehicle's roof

Thursday, March 10th, 2011