Spec’ing a Safer Fleet With CARR
Did you know that slips, trips, and falls are the most reported job site injuries? Worse, they are also the second-leading cause of accidental death on the job site behind motor vehicles, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
But what if your jobsite is a motor vehicle?
The risk for potential harm is even greater. In addition to accident prevention, you have safe accessibility to consider. Entering and exiting a vehicle without slip-resistant points of contact can lead to a nasty fall. The same is true of trying to access hard-to-reach items on a roof rack or side racks. And let’s not ignore ergonomics. Ask any delivery driver how his back is feeling these days and chances are he’ll have some horror stories to share about body fatigue.
The good news is that these types of injuries are preventable.
Assessing risk, planning ahead, and using the right equipment are all easy ways to ensure safety on the worksite—especially if it’s mobile. Modern add-ons like dash cameras, GPS modules, and motion-sensing auxiliary lighting are important upgrades to consider when spec’ing a work vehicle. But ultimately, it’s the simple modifications—wide, sturdy steps and ergonomic grab handles—that continue to minimize risk the most effectively.
CARR Work Truck Steps
Sporting a heavy-duty frame constructed of 1/8-inch steel and a large non-skid step surface for increased safety, CARR Work Truck Steps provide a sure-footed step up with rugged styling. Options include: a 12-inch cast step with a black powder coat or a 12-inch, 24-inch, or 31-inch grip strut step in black and galvanized steel. CARR steps are also available in a safety yellow finish, which ensures you can clearly see where you’re stepping, while distinguishing your vehicle as work equipment.
The stand-out feature, however, is the unique stow-away functionality these steps offer.
Conveniently tucked away when not in use, you simply push the step in with your foot to deploy it. When in the out position, both feet fit on the step and it can hold up to 500 pounds, ensuring safe and easy access to the sides and top racks of any service truck where exterior tool boxes are used. Then, when finished, simply push the step in again with your foot to stow it away.
Watch the video below to see these innovative work truck steps in action.
It’s worth noting, CARR also offers these deployable steps for work vans—a growing vehicle segment in the industrial market.
CARR Grab Handles
“Safe accessibility of a vehicle and its cargo is critical, and reduced strain thanks to proper equipment allows an operator to work at peak performance,” says Stan Tarorick, CARR Chief Growth Officer. “We saw an opportunity for the deployable steps on service body work trucks and vans to be even safer for vehicle operators. That’s why, our newest product is a line of ergonomic non-slip grab handles. When used in combination with the stow-a-way step, the grab handles provide three points of contact when accessing the vehicle.”
Using a three-point contact system for entering and exiting a vehicle helps reduce and even prevent injury. Essentially, it forms a triangle of anchor points with one foot firmly planted on the ground, one foot firmly planted on the vehicle step, and one hand firmly gripping the grab handle. Creating a little more stability, this process also eases some of the strain that comes with constantly hoisting oneself in and out of a vehicle.
CARR Grab Handles are cast from alloyed aluminum and then powder-coated for durability. Tested to handle extreme load capacity, these handles feature a secure grip with slip-resistant grooves for added safety. Additionally, a wide 1 ¼-inch diameter provides enough clearance for a gloved hand to fit securely inside for a solid handhold.
Available in three finishes—black, polished, and safety yellow—CARR Grab Handles feature a universal fit for light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks, as well as a simple, bolt-on installation.
Safety First
Is your work truck also your daily driver? In that case, you might want a side step option with less industrial styling. Check out CARR Super Hoop, Hoop II Steps, and LD Steps.
Made of corrosion-resistant, durable cast aluminum alloy, these steps provide a rugged and unique tread pattern for safe and attractive non-slip stepping, with an overall off-road-oriented look.
Super Hoop steps feature a large, 20-inch-wide flat stepping pad with exclusive diamond non-slip tread pattern. Hoop II steps offer the same durability, just in a more compact, 10-inch-wide package. And LD steps (pictured below) feature a more modern design with a large, 15-inch-wide functional step area that extends further than any other CARR step option. All options are available in XM3 Polished “Chrome Like” finish, XP4 Titanium Silver Powder Coat, and XP3 Black Powder Coat finish.
Lastly, for those drivers seeking a nice middle ground between industrial functionality and off-road styling, CARR Mega Steps might be the answer.
These large (14-inch by 6-inch) heavy-duty steps fold down for safe vehicle access and then fold back up when not in use. The steps arrive fully assembled and simply install into a rear hitch for easy bed access or a front tow hook for better access to engine compartments.
A 500-pound weight capacity and heavy-duty aluminum alloy construction ensure they can stand up to whatever hard work your vehicle gets into.
Looking for even more safe accessibility? A larger (14-inch by 8-inch) HD Mega Step is available with ergonomic built-in grab handle slots. Featuring low-energy, high-intensity LED lighting, the HD Mega Step illuminates for safe 24-hour operation. It mounts to any vehicle with a 2-inch or 2 ½-inch hitch receiver and is available in either a polished or black powder-coated finish.
An established name in the automotive industry, CARR manufactures high-quality truck and van steps, light bar mounts, and grab handles for the off-road, industrial, and emergency markets. All products are 100% designed and built in the USA and come backed by an industry-leading warranty—as well as a 75+ year manufacturing legacy.
