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Mine Safety and Health Administration
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Innovative Products

Haul Truck "Body-Up"
Raised Bed Indicators

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Haul Truck From 1980 to present there have been 33 fatalities as a result of haul trucks contacting overhead power lines. During the past 5 years eighteen non-fatal incidents involving raised truck beds have been reported. Recent incidents were related to truck beds contacting power line(s) and striking overhead conveyors, bridges, and overpasses.

To aid in preventing these accidents, MSHA recommends installing and utilizing "body-up" indicators/alarms. The indicators/alarms warn the driver when the dump body is in the raised position which greatly reduces the chance of contact with overhead power lines and structures. 		Haul Truck
"Body-Up" after market retro-fit kits are commercially available and can be readily installed. Conventional "body-up" kits typically contain weather tight switches, wiring harness, weatherproof connectors, body and chassis mounting brackets, colored panel indicator lights and in-cab panel indicator decals.

Also, innovative "body-up" indicators are available utilizing a rear-view side mirror system. While traditional Signal® mirrors have a red flashing chevron in the mirror glass and are safety features that warn surrounding drivers of the turn intentions of the driver, the new driver raised bed warning mirror is a safety feature for the truck driver. Since, haul truck drivers rely on their side mirrors, this is an ideal location for a warning indicator light. The raised bed warning signal consists of flashing red LED lights in a chevron shape pointing upwards and appearing in the lower portion of the mirror. The warning lights flash until the bed is lowered.

Remember: "Body-Up" indicators/alarms should be located in/on the cab for best visibility and/or loud enough to hear.

MSHA has an Accident Prevention Safety Idea on this topic. To see this Safety Idea, please use this link.

For information on manufacturers that are known to MSHA to have such products available, contact MSHA's Approval and Certification Center at 304-547-0400 or e-mail InnovativeProducts@dol.gov.

Issued: 09/16/2005
Tag # AP2005-0091521



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