Ri$k Happens: Chain gang

Aug. 09, 2020 - Mary Ann Gormly, CERP - Loss Analyst, ARA Insurance

A chain was kept in the back of a pickup truck to secure large items the rental store driver needed to transport from time to time. The chain was padlocked to a hook that was welded to the bed of the truck.

On one occasion, a large generator was being delivered to a customer’s location and the chain had to be completely removed to get it around the generator and then secure everything to the bed of the truck with an extension to the heavy chain. The tailgate of the truck had been removed to load and unload the generator.

The generator was delivered with care and the chain was again connected to the bed of the truck with the padlock. Everything was secure. Except that it wasn’t. The extension chain remained in the bed of the truck and it was no longer attached to anything.

On the way back to the rental yard, the truck went over a large bump in the road as they accelerated entering the highway. The chain came out of the truck and landed on the windshield of the vehicle following them. The windshield of the car was completely shattered.

Remind your employees to be sure everything is secure or removed from your trucks during each use.

This item, provided by ARA Insurance, Kansas City, Mo., contains safety tips and is intended to help readers better understand and manage risk. For more safety and risk management information, customers of ARA Insurance can log on to ReSource. Access is free, so if you haven’t signed up yet, contact your agent or call 800-821-6580.