Rolling Platform for Flatbed Trucks Ensure Safer Loading and Unloading

A flatbed trailer is a type of flatbed truck that companies can use to transport large, heavy loads. Unlike a standard flatbed truck with a flatbed with sides, a flatbed trailer has a flatbed with no sides, making it ideal for transporting large items that cannot fit onto a standard flatbed truck.

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A heavy hauler transport like a trailer typically handles wide loads, oversized equipment, machinery, and bulk cargo. They are constructed of heavy-duty steel and often have multiple axles to allow the risk-free transfer or movement of heavy cargo. Because of the flat nature and open sides, flatbed trailers are one of the most common types used in heavy hauling and oversize load shipping. Standard flatbed trailers can range from 48 to 65 feet long, widths between 8.5 and 9.5 feet. The flatbed trailer’s versatility makes it popular for various applications, including construction, agriculture, lumber, and steel hauling. Haulers can also use them to transport oversized loads that are not ‘transportable’ on a regular flatbed truck. While flatbed trailers are not suitable for all loads, they can be essential equipment for transporting large and heavy items, unlike tank trucks that can only transport bulk liquids that are protected from sloshing by the baffles installed inside the tank.

Although uncommon, safety risks surround flatbed-type of trucks if negligence or complacency takes over:

1. Cargo can easily fall off the truck if it’s not unloaded properly, potentially causing injuries to workers or passersby.

2. Flatbed trailers are often used to transport large and heavy objects, making them more prone to tipping over than other types of trucks.

3. Unloading cargo improperly can also damage the products being transported, resulting in costly losses for businesses.

4. Safely unloading cargo from a flatbed trailer is a relatively simple process that workers can imbibe safety protocols with little training.

Since a flatbed trailer has no sides, workers who climb up to them risk falling flat when hauling cargo down to the storage area. A fitted rolling platform (like in the photo above) must be attached on both trailer sides, adding another layer of protection for workers. Workers need effortless access to the items on the trailer, which is where metal stairs come in. Rolling platforms come with metal stairs to provide a safe, easy way for workers to get on and off the trailer. They also help prevent trips and falls, which can be especially dangerous if workers carry heavy or bulky items.

What about the safety guardrails in the rolling platforms? Installing railings to mobile stairs unit ensures workers’ safety when the cargo needs to be stacked, tied up, or tarped. In reality, it’s more appropriate to use enclosed trailers when transporting crates and boxes. Still, when it’s only a flatbed available, businesses can work around with what they have instead of buying another truck type.

Did you know that our handrails are removable and staircase parts are modular? That means that you can customize the length, width, and railings to create a rolling work platform. The rolling unit is perfect for workers who need safe and comfortable access to any work or factory environment. Plus, the rolling work platform makes it easy to move around – no more lugging heavy ladders, wood planks, and poles to support a makeshift scaffolding just to access items in your flatbed trailer!

Aside from loading/unloading cargo in manufacturing, our mobile work platforms also work best in helicopter maintenance and aircraft manufacturing. When large storage tanks and boilers heat up and access heights above normal reach, mobile work units come in handy when workers need to turn valves and open up the top hatch for a refill.

A rolling work platform can be valuable in a warehouse setting, particularly when working with flatbed trucks. The platform can be used to load and unload heavy cargo and stand alone as a mobile workstation. Mobile platforms are typically made of steel or aluminum and feature caster wheels that allow them to move easily around any industrial facility. Commercial establishments can purchase these ladder-platform combos in various sizes, and manufacturers can customize them with enclosure panels, safety rails, and other features. In addition to their utility, rolling work platforms can also help improve worker productivity by giving employees easy access to the cargo they need to load or unload.

So if you’re looking for a way to improve safety and efficiency in your workplace, consider investing in a rolling work platform. You won’t be disappointed!