Ri$k Happens: Open and shut

Jul. 18, 2021 - By Mary Ann Gormly, CERP - Loss Analyst, ARA Insurance

An employee walked around the truck he was using for the day. He glanced side to side and checked the area behind his truck back to the overhead door. He pressed the button to open the door, looked outside to be sure there wasn’t anything outside of the warehouse in his way, climbed into the truck and checked his schedule.

He made one phone call to verify an address for his first stop and started the engine. He put the truck in reverse, moved back about 3 ft. and crashed into the garage door.

He got out of the truck, very confused about what had happened. He knew he opened the door — he had been outside just a few minutes prior. Several other employees heard the crash and went into the warehouse.

It seems a couple of other employees arrived for work while the truck driver was making his call. They closed the door and went into the office to begin their day. The driver backed up, not realizing the door was down. He knew he had opened the overhead door so he didn’t think to check or glance behind him again.

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.

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