Where did “Keep on Truckin’” originate, and what does it mean?
The phrase became a rallying cry with the so-called hippie counterculture after a cartoon by Robert Crumb that introduced Zap Comics. The cartoonist was inspired by Blind Boy Fuller, who used the lyrics in his 1938 song, Truckin’ My Blues Away. The Temptations released their classic, Keep on Truckin’, in 1972.
The phrase became a rallying cry with the so-called hippie counterculture after a cartoon by Robert Crumb that introduced Zap Comics. The cartoonist was inspired by Blind Boy Fuller, who used the lyrics in his 1938 song, Truckin’ My Blues Away. The Temptations released their classic, Keep on Truckin’, in 1972.
While various meanings for Keep on Truckin’ have been advanced, its lasting significance is perseverance, either in the face of difficulty or boredom. So, the larger question is, “Who keeps the truckers truckin’?”
Maintenance technicians service trucks and trailers in the face of fall hazards as they access vehicles from above, below, and on the side. Falls from heights are a leading cause of workplace injuries; however, there are fall protection solutions ideal for truck and trailer maintenance.
ABOVE: Rigid Rail Systems
A rigid rail system combines an enclosed overhead track and trolley with a self-retracting lifeline. It is ideal for the low ground clearances of truck and trailer maintenance because it arrests falls at shorter distances than cable-based or other lifeline products. Rigid rail systems are completely hands-free so that technicians can use their tools and equipment with precision and control. It has a 1:100 movement-to-weight ratio that always keeps the lifeline overhead. This eliminates in-line swing-fall.
The rigid rail assembly can be specified with simple on-site measurements and fitted using standard shop tools and a lifting device. It mounts to existing roof purlins, secondary steel, beams, trusses, concrete, or custom connectors in a parallel or perpendicular installation. Typical set-up time is usually less than one day, minimizing disruption time. The trolley features high-quality bearings to keep the system running virtually maintenance-free for years. If the working environment changes, the modular rigid rail system can be reconfigured to meet new requirements.
BELOW: Maintenance Pit Covers
The easiest and most efficient way to service the underside of trucks and trailers is from inside a vehicle maintenance pit. What about when there is no vehicle in service? How do you protect workers from accidentally falling into the open pit?
Portable guardrails are adequate but cumbersome and time-consuming to move back and forth and store. Demarcation lines are easier to move and provide a visual warning, but they are not likely to prevent a fall into the pit if a worker slips nearby. Plywood sheets are also a nuisance to remove, store, and replace. Setting them over the pit is a hazard, and the plywood will deteriorate and become unsafe. All these approaches will put a crimp in shop productivity.
A retractable pit safety cover made from solid, yet lightweight aluminum provides continuous fall protection. Available in various lengths and widths, the adjustable pit cover system is easy to install, deploy, and maintain. Each bar can be set at different widths to accommodate uneven pits along their sides. Location pins and spring-loaded positioning pins ensure the system stays securely in place.
When no vehicle is in service, the pit is guarded and can withstand the weight of workers stepping onto the cover. To access the pit, a worker pushes the cover open while descending. A vehicle can then move into place for service.
Whether open for worker access or closed when a vehicle is not in service, the system eliminates the need for cumbersome and time-consuming removal and placement of railings, boards, and other barriers. This efficiency helps a busy, high-traffic vehicle service area operate more productively and safely.
AROUND: Elevated Work Platforms
Work platforms provide a stable and secure surface for maintenance technicians to access trucks and trailers from all sides and at elevated heights. They offer workers maximum freedom of movement and compliant fall protection within a designated work area.
Constructed with pipe-fitted frames and guardrails, work platforms feature stable base fittings and anti-slip treads on the steps and platform surfaces. An optional self-closing safety gate at the top of the stairs adds extra fall protection.
Types of work platforms for vehicle maintenance include:
- Static (or Fixed) Work Platforms are ideal for frequent use at the same workstation.
- Mobile Work Platforms are equipped with heavy-duty locking casters and can be easily moved in and out of work areas to service multiple vehicles.
- Hopper and Dump Trailer Stands provide safe and compliant access to tall trailers.
- Flatbed Trailer Stands match the height and length of standard flatbed decks.
- Custom Work Platforms can be engineered to order, featuring adjustable heights, integrated shop services (e.g., electrical, air, water), and racks for tools and equipment.
See us for your safety solutions.
If you are responsible for worker safety at your truck and trailer service facility, contact Lighthouse Safety for OSHA-compliant fall protection. We will discuss your concerns about regulations and what it will take for you to comply. Our services can include as little or as much as you need, from design, engineering, and fabrication to installation, training, inspections, and other support.
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