Top 4 of the Most Dangerous Trucking Loads

For the non-involved, trucking may seem like this long “enjoy the view” kind of trip, which can get quite boring sometimes and is 99% safe. Well, this can be true at times and those are the best days. But anyone with enough experience in the industry will tell you that you should expect the unexpected, because some loads can be much more challenging than others. Hauling heavy loads isn’t as easy as it looks and sometimes it requires stady hands, nerves of steele and experienced driver. And to back our statement, we have a list of the top 4 most dangerous trucking loads.

1. Hazardous Materials

While it is more of a dangerous occupation than a trucking haul, we cannot talk about danger without mentioning the hazardous material truck drivers. Yes, dangerous chemicals often need to be transported and if you are looking for a safe trucking job – hauling chemicals is the one position you should not take on without great experience and nerves of steel.  Hauling chemicals is near the top of the danger list for truck drivers. In fact, it is so dangerous that truckers have a mandatory additional training, including the infamous Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training. 

2. Oversized Loads

Truckers transport different things – sometimes a lot of goods, sometimes chemicals, sometimes live animals. And sometimes – things that are literally bigger than the truck. Like, much bigger. Loads come in different sizes and the bigger they are, the greater the danger. The driver should be an expert in making the load safe, he should plan ahead and avoid all routes which include narrow streets or low traffic lights and bridges. Every mistake can lead not only to a big delay, but to a pretty nasty situations which include destroyed load, totaled truck or even injuries (sometimes fatal).

3. Oil and Gas

Driving oil or natural gas is also one of the most dangerous loads you can transport. Oil and gas industries have the highest rates of injuries and fatalities among all industries, and part of this is due to oil and gas transportation mishaps. Loads which are easily flammable or which come with the added danger of combustion are not among the favorite loads a trucker may transport. As with chemicals, said driver should have great experience and should be the proud owner of a strong nervous system.

4. A Whole House

It may be a part of the oversized loads, but it would be an understatement. Yes, moving whole houses with trucks is a thing. And no, we are not talking about transporting the materials and furniture. We are talking about transporting the whole house – bringing the house up with cranes, then putting it down on a truck. Then the truck transports it to a different place. No assembly required. If you are from Louisiana or Texas, you know exactly what we are talking about, since small houses there are often being sold and transported from the city to a more rural areas.