Patriot Freight Group

Understanding Safety Protocols and Practices of Flatbed Trucking Companies

When was the last time you heard about a truck crash? They are rare. This is because flatbed trucking companies are some of the most reliable in the world.

A flatbed trucking company transports everything from supplies to high-value goods. Their safety practices are designed to ensure that everyone gets where they’re going safely. This includes drivers.

This article will cover some of these flatbed trucking companies’ safety protocols. This way you can feel confident about using them for your next move.

Let’s dive in.

What Is a Flatbed Trucking Company?

Let’s start by examining what a flatbed trucking company is. We will also examine the history of trucking companies. 

Flatbed trucking companies specialize in hauling large loads. These loads do not fit on any other type of truck. These trucks have an open, flat cargo bed and no trailer.

Flatbeds are used extensively for moving large machinery and construction equipment. Due to their specialized nature, flatbed carriers operate differently than traditional trucking companies. They require specific licensing to operate safely on our highways.

The History of Flatbed Trucking Companies 

Flatbed trucking companies started in the 1950s. They were a way for farmers to transport their equipment and crops from one place to another. Farmers would load their machinery onto the back of the flatbed trucks.

Then they would lay tarps over them. This allows them to be transported from one location to another safely.

One of the earliest recorded flatbed trucking companies was J.B. Hunt Transport Services. It was founded in Arkansas in 1969.

The company started as a small family-owned business. The primary business was hauling grain and other agricultural products in the south.

In the 1980s, J.B. Hunt expanded its operations. This included long-haul trucking. It also included intermodal transportation. It eventually became one of the largest transportation companies in the country.

Another important player in the history of flatbed trucking is Conway Freight. This was founded in 1929 as Consolidated Truck Lines. The company was one of the first to offer nationwide LTL (less-than-truckload) service.

In the 1990s, Conway Freight was acquired by CNF Inc. They are a leading logistics company.

Today, Patriot Freight Group is the leading third-party logistics (3PL) trucking company. In 2021, they experienced record growth. 

An Essential Part of the Supply Chain

Flatbed trucking has become an essential part of the modern supply chain. It allows companies to transport large and heavy items that cannot be shipped using other methods.

Flatbed trucks are often used to transport construction materials, heavy machinery, and other oversized items. In addition to traditional flatbed trucks, many companies also use specialized trailers. This includes lowboys, step decks, and extendable flatbeds to accommodate even larger loads.

As the demand for flatbed trucking services has grown, so has the size and complexity of the industry. Today, there are thousands of flatbed trucking companies operating across the United States and around the world. Many of these companies are small, family-owned businesses, while others are part of more extensive transportation and logistics companies.

One of the major challenges facing flatbed trucking companies is the need to constantly adapt to changing market conditions and customer demands. As the global economy has become more interconnected, the transportation industry has had to adapt to new technologies and regulations.

Flatbed trucking companies have had to invest in new equipment and training to ensure that they can safely and efficiently transport a wide range of cargo across long distances.

Challenges Facing the Industry

Another challenge facing the flatbed trucking industry is the ongoing shortage of qualified drivers. Many trucking companies struggle to find and retain skilled drivers, as the job requires long hours on the road and can be physically demanding. In recent years, trucking companies have had to offer higher salaries and better benefits to attract and retain top talent.

Despite these challenges, the future of flatbed trucking looks bright. As the demand for transportation services continues to grow, flatbed trucking companies will play a vital role in moving goods and materials around the world. You can see our wide list of carriers here if you’re interested in our services.

With advances in technology and new regulations being implemented, flatbed trucking companies will continue to adapt and evolve. This is to meet the changing needs of their customers.

Flatbed trucking has grown into a very lucrative business as more and more companies are starting to use flatbed trucks for their purposes. There are many different types of flatbeds available on the market today.

This includes those designed specifically for transporting machinery and those designed for transporting animal feed and other agricultural products.

Rigorous Training

Before you get behind the wheel of a flatbed truck or full flatbed truck, you’ll need to be well-trained. The company will provide rigorous training on how to operate the vehicle, how to load and unload it safely, and how to use safety equipment such as mirrors and turn signals.

You’ll also be trained in communication skills like communicating with other drivers on the road as well as communicating with your dispatcher over an internal radio system.

The more familiar you are with these safety protocols and practices before starting work, the less likely you’ll be caught off guard by them later on when things get busy.

Types of Training

Here are some of the most common types of training offered to drivers. Training is offered in various scenarios to ensure drivers know how to handle every eventuality. 

Safety Training

Safety is of the utmost importance in the transportation industry, and flatbed trucking companies place a strong emphasis on training their drivers to follow all safety protocols and procedures. This may include training on proper lifting techniques, securement of loads, and emergency procedures.

Industry-Specific Training

Flatbed trucking companies may also provide training on industry-specific topics such as load planning, weight and balance, and loading and unloading procedures.

This helps drivers to understand the unique challenges and requirements of transporting large and heavy loads.

Defensive Driving Training

Flatbed trucking companies may also provide defensive driving training. This helps drivers avoid accidents and stay safe on the road.

This may include training on anticipating and reacting to potential hazards, such as other vehicles, pedestrians, and weather conditions. This is particularly important if you are driving cross-state where climates can vary dramatically. 

Communication Is Key

One of the most important safety protocols for flatbed trucking companies is communication. Communication is key to any workplace.

Here are some of the types of communication that flatbed trucking drivers should be aware of. 

Communication Between Driver and Company

The driver should be able to talk to someone at the office. This person a the office will listen to their concerns.

They will also offer advice or suggestions about how to handle the concerns. In all cases, communication between drivers and the company should be constructive and about problem-solving. If it does break down, then there should be a mediator or a specific HR employee who can mediate.

Communication Between Driver and Customer

Before accepting a job, both parties must agree on what will happen during delivery.

This includes anything from where they’ll pick up items from an existing load or where they’ll park trucks overnight. 

Communication Between Drivers

Drivers need training on how to drive safely in order not only to protect themselves but also for their cargo as well as other vehicles on the road with them.

It’s important that this training continues throughout a career. This is because habits change over time!

Safety Procedures

Safety is a serious concern for truck drivers. It can have a huge impact on your safety as well. It’s important to follow all safety procedures. But you also have to understand why they are in place.

A flatbed trucking company will have strict rules for their drivers about what types of cargo can be transported on the back of their trucks and how it should be secured.

Cargo such as lumber or pipes must be strapped down so that it doesn’t shift around during transport. Other types of cargo may require special equipment like nets or tie-downs before being loaded onto the truck itself.

Safety protocols are often different depending on where you’re traveling—some states may require additional safety precautions than others. Hot shot trucking also has various regulations. And you must know what those procedures are so that you can follow them properly!

Teamwork Is Critical

Teamwork is a critical element to ensure the success of any company. And teamwork involves knowing when to be a leader and when to be a team player. It allows for teamwork that can make your day-to-day operations run smoothly, and it minimizes the chances of accidents happening within your workplace. 

When there’s a safe working environment, workers will be more comfortable in their work environment. This can help reduce stress levels and increase morale among employees.

Good communication between managers and workers makes it easier for everyone involved to understand their responsibilities. With an effective team structure, each member knows where they fit into the larger picture.

They also know how their actions affect those around them. This further reduces the chances of mistakes due to a lack of communication or poor planning on behalf of management or other team members.

Safety Technology Such as GPS Tracking Devices and Other Safety Software

Safety technology is a great way to keep your drivers and cargo safe. GPS tracking devices, safety software, and other safety tools can be used to monitor the location of trucks. They can also make sure they are in the right place at the right time.

These tools are also useful when it comes to monitoring speed and driver behavior. For example, suppose it’s determined that a certain truck driver has been speeding too frequently.

Or perhaps it has been going underweight on loads. In that case, the tracking information can be used to determine whether he or she needs more training on proper driving techniques. 

Training After Your License

Flatbed trucking companies are very safety-conscious. Especially when it comes to intermediary trucking. As we have seen to be a flatbed trucker, you must meet certain qualifications and pass background checks. Flatbed truckers must also pass drug tests and physicals before being allowed to operate a vehicle.

However, once you’ve gotten your license, there is still a lot more training that goes into becoming an effective flatbed trucking driver for a trucking company. Many flatbed companies require their new employees to attend driver school before they are even allowed behind the wheel of one of their trucks!

This training covers topics such as:

  • Tailgating
  • Following distance
  • Speed limits
  • Driving in bad weather conditions 
  • Judging distances between vehicles

This is all so you don’t sideswipe another car while changing lanes. Furthermore, it can also stop you from merging onto highways.

A Flatbed Trucking Company Has Many Safety Rules

As you can see, there is a wide range of safety practices and protocols in place to keep drivers for a flatbed trucking company safe. However, the most important thing is to remember that safety should always be your priority. This is especially true when doing any work for a flatbed trucking company.

If you find yourself in danger and unable to communicate with others, then your next step should be getting out of harm’s way as quickly as possible.

For more about our freight services, be sure to contact us today.