Three Points of Contact: Cabs & Trailers

Falls getting in and out of cabs and off trailers are among the most common injuries for truck drivers. A truck cab floor can be 4 or 5 feet off the ground, and drivers climb in and out many times a day, often tired, stiff from sitting, or on icy steps. Jumping down puts enormous force on knees, ankles and backs.

• Truck drivers
• Equipment operators

Three points of contact

Always keep three of your four limbs in contact with the truck: two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand.

• Face the truck when getting in and out, like going down a ladder.
• Use the grab handles and steps, not the door, mirror bracket or steering wheel.
• Move one limb at a time.
• Look where you’re stepping, especially at night. Check the ground for ice, holes, curbs and debris.
• Get out slowly; give your legs a moment after a long drive.

• Don’t jump down, even from the bottom step.
• Don’t climb in or out with your hands full. Put things on the seat or floor first.
• Don’t use the door handle or the door as a handhold. Doors swing.
• Don’t step onto tires or wheel hubs.

Catwalks and the back of the cab

Hooking up air lines and electrical means climbing onto the deck plate behind the cab. Keep it clean and dry, use the grab handles, and don’t step across from the frame rails. Never climb up there while someone could move the truck.

Trailers

• Use steps, ladders or a dock to get onto flatbed decks and into trailers; don’t jump down.
• Don’t climb on loads; use tarping stations and ground-level methods. See Tarping.
• Use rear grab bars on trailers that have them.

Keep the truck safe to climb

• Steps and deck plates clean, dry and free of ice and mud
• Grab handles tight and undamaged
• Step lights working for night use
• Report broken steps and handles for repair

Footwear

Wear boots or shoes with slip-resistant soles and good ankle support. Flip-flops and worn-out shoes lead to falls. In winter, consider ice cleats for walking around the truck, but take them off before climbing in. See Safety Footwear.

Last updated: October 1, 2026