Roadblock Wheel Chocks – Wheel Chocks of Today
Wheel chocks are safety devices that are set in front of a tire of a vehicle, in addition to a parking break, to prevent accidental movement. Reasons for this are runaway vehicles and not just that, but the truck or auto even moving. There are all types of situations where a wheel chock can be used, and for various types of modes of transportation, including autos, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, boat and other trailers and even airplanes. Construction and industrial use including mining and cargo trailers of the more heavy duty chocks is encountered more frequently, as businesses have a responsibility to OSHA codes for safety.
The wheel chock regulations are not always enforced by OSHA, because they can be imposed by the individual state's department of transportation (DOT). Because brake regulations are regulated by the DOT, OSHA does not cite with a violation if a trucker fails to chock the wheels on a trailer if is adequately secured. The DOT's regulation pre-empts enforcement and the DOT has jurisdiction. When the trailer is intrastate, however, OSHA has jurisdiction. Only another federal organization may block OSHA's regulation.
Wheel Chocks of Today
The good thing about a wheel chock that you buy in today's safety conscious environment is that they are easier to use, more effective and you can see that they are in place more than in days of old. So that they are easier to remove once they've been placed by the wheel(s) of the vehicle, a rope or chain is now attached to the chock to place next to the ground so you're not laying on your stomach trying to get it out. Not every wheel chock will come with the rope or chain, so when you purchase one, be sure to note if it comes with it or purchase it separately to save yourself some grief if it doesn't come with it.
The wheel chocks of today also are specially crafted for different environments. They are made for a variety of wheeled transportation, and they are also made out of different materials. Some are heavy weight rubber or steel, while many of them are made with lighter weight urethane. But just because they are a lighter material does not mean that they are any less sturdy, however. The Roadblock 1200 series wheel chock can withstand a capacity of 120 tons! Some of the urethane chocks even come with a grated steel bottom, for use in icy or off road conditions. And as a reminder to the user of the wheel chock that it is still there, most are brightly colored orange or yellow so the driver has a visual cue that his vehicle is chocked.
While placing a wheel chock to keep a vehicle in place may be an obstruction to getting work accomplished, the safety value far outweighs the potential consequences.
The wheel chock regulations are not always enforced by OSHA, because they can be imposed by the individual state's department of transportation (DOT). Because brake regulations are regulated by the DOT, OSHA does not cite with a violation if a trucker fails to chock the wheels on a trailer if is adequately secured. The DOT's regulation pre-empts enforcement and the DOT has jurisdiction. When the trailer is intrastate, however, OSHA has jurisdiction. Only another federal organization may block OSHA's regulation.
Wheel Chocks of Today
The good thing about a wheel chock that you buy in today's safety conscious environment is that they are easier to use, more effective and you can see that they are in place more than in days of old. So that they are easier to remove once they've been placed by the wheel(s) of the vehicle, a rope or chain is now attached to the chock to place next to the ground so you're not laying on your stomach trying to get it out. Not every wheel chock will come with the rope or chain, so when you purchase one, be sure to note if it comes with it or purchase it separately to save yourself some grief if it doesn't come with it.
The wheel chocks of today also are specially crafted for different environments. They are made for a variety of wheeled transportation, and they are also made out of different materials. Some are heavy weight rubber or steel, while many of them are made with lighter weight urethane. But just because they are a lighter material does not mean that they are any less sturdy, however. The Roadblock 1200 series wheel chock can withstand a capacity of 120 tons! Some of the urethane chocks even come with a grated steel bottom, for use in icy or off road conditions. And as a reminder to the user of the wheel chock that it is still there, most are brightly colored orange or yellow so the driver has a visual cue that his vehicle is chocked.
While placing a wheel chock to keep a vehicle in place may be an obstruction to getting work accomplished, the safety value far outweighs the potential consequences.
