Shunt Truck Rental Safety Best Practices
March 5, 2024 · 2 min read · Safety
Yard tractors—often called shunt trucks—keep docks humming by spotting trailers to staging lanes, doors, and drop pads. Because they operate in high-density areas with pedestrians, forklifts, and 53-foot trailers, even a small error can escalate quickly. Building a documented shunt truck safety program, and having shunt truck rental support on standby, protects your team and maintains uptime across the yard.
Begin with standardized inspections
Before each shift, drivers should walk a complete loop around the tractor and the first trailer they plan to move. Look for tire cuts, broken lights, fluid leaks, and loose glad-hands. Confirm that the fifth wheel locks fully and that the sliding rear door on the cab closes securely. Documenting these inspections—whether on paper or a digital form—helps maintenance teams spot patterns before they turn into downtime.
Train drivers on visibility and situational awareness
Yard drivers spend long stretches in reverse. Reinforce the habit of using mirrors, cameras, and pull-ups to survey the lane before backing into a door. Encourage deliberate, low-speed maneuvers, especially around tailgates where warehouse staff may be collecting paperwork. Installing LED work lights on the back of the tractor greatly improves visibility during early morning or overnight shifts.
Coordinate with dock teams
Smooth communication prevents dangerous surprises. Institute a simple radio or handheld process so dock leads can signal when it is safe to pull a trailer. Require warehouse staff to chock wheels and remove dock locks before the tractor connects. These shared routines reduce the risk of trailer creep, early departures, or forklift incidents.
Manage weather-related hazards around semi trailer parking
Toronto yards experience ice, snow, and heavy rain that can reduce traction. Stock salt bins at trailer rows and instruct drivers to salt lanes before pushing in a trailer. In summer, heat and humidity shorten driver attention spans—build shorter rotation schedules and encourage hydration breaks to keep teams sharp.
Keep documentation accurate and accessible
Maintain up-to-date operator training files, incident logs, and equipment service records. Most insurance auditors ask for these documents, and regulators expect them during a workplace inspection. Cloud-based recordkeeping makes it easy to share documentation with supervisors at different sites.
Partner with a responsive equipment provider
Reliable shunt trucks start with reliable suppliers. Look for a partner that services tractors frequently, provides replacement units quickly, and offers driver familiarization sessions when new models arrive. Toronto Trailer Rentals maintains a fleet of modern yard trucks with ergonomic cabs, heated mirrors, and automatic transmissions to reduce fatigue. Our crews also support emergency call-outs when equipment needs attention fast.
Dispatch a shunt truck when you need it
A safer yard is a more efficient yard. Put these practices in place, review them quarterly, and include drivers in continuous improvement meetings. When you need equipment support, book a shunt truck rental to keep freight flowing without sacrificing safety. Talk with our dispatchers for rapid scheduling across the GTA.
Tags: #shunt truck, #yard safety, #driver training