Evaluating the physical demands of three tarping systems for flatbed transport trailers.

OBJECTIVE Tarping and untarping loads on flatbed trailers creates concerns related to falls as well as high musculoskeletal demands. The purpose of this study is to compare the demands and risks present when using three different tarping systems and to determine which system is preferred to reduce demand and injury risks. PARTICIPANTS Nine male volunteers from a flatbed trucking company participated in the study. METHODS The truck drivers covered the load on the flatbed trailer using three different tarping systems: manual tarps, sliders, and rack and tarp kits. Multiple measures were used to characterize the three tarping systems, including required forces, identifying injury risk by assessing peak, average and cumulative forces, moments and electromyography, heart rate, and exposure to fall hazards. RESULTS Manual tarping resulted in greater physical demands and safety risks than the two alternate systems, both of which all participants preferred. The slider method was preferred overall as it has numerous advantages. CONCLUSIONS The slider and rack and tarp kit methods offered a wide range of benefits including reduced physical demands, reduced exposure to fall hazards as well as improved productivity due to the shorter execution times, but had the disadvantage of being less versatile.