We all know that safety is talked about, and is talked about quite often in the workplace. All those safety suggestions usually form and become a policy or procedure, after an injury or death. Otherwise, we all take it for granted, when it is not work related, or has not been suggested.  Still there is a policy that I work with daily, relating to the truck in motion, which I have been only recently considering a personal practice, without a policy initiated, simply because it does something discuss to professional drivers driving, not walking around their working environments.

            Just out of common trial and experimentation, I got a few head band flashlights. They serve my purpose from time to time, the other times, they aren’t that bright enough, or are they. These tiny headband lights were for close to reach lighting, but they can be seen by others approaching you. It came to me, to make it a practice to wear the mini light on my cap, when at a shipper and receiver. It makes sense, because in some yards, the lighting does not cover every aspect of a trailer filled lot, and wearing a reflective vest only serves well when light reflects off of it. By having that light band on my cap catches others off guard, in the sense of, “What is that?”, “Where is that coming from?”  , and “I have never seen that there before!” When it comes to the usual yard jockey, running his role in his own domain, they tend to slow down, to figure out what is glowing.

            I also have a bigger Head worn light, with three setting, with much stronger lighting, but there will always be nothing more useful than a handheld flashlight, except, we turn those off when walking. The thing looks like a miners flashlight, but it works well enough to do the job of a hand flashlight, freeing your hands to work with, but one more thing…it gives others the opportunity to see me, especially when in between trailers.

            There is no fashion statement to be made, and it has only been worn as a new safety tool at the customer’s yards that I am contracted to. It comes off when at the truck stops, rest areas, and other public places, and normally stored away during the day. No one truly knows I wear this, unless we are delivering to the same customers.

            I started thinking about the nights’ travels, and how many disabled vehicles off the shoulder of the interstate, and realized, I only recognized (saw) one person working outside their disabled vehicle. I usually see the shadow of the vehicle, and if put out, the reflective triangles, but hardly ever know if the operator is in or out of the vehicle. As a practice, I change lanes to be furthest away from the parked vehicle, but still, no real visibility of where the operator is.

            Sometimes, there are routes that take me off to secondary roadways, and I recall seeing pedestrians as shadows, but never really saw them until right up close, because of the dark clothing they wore. I guess getting hit while walking, or replacing a flat tire doesn’t raise enough concern to the idea of a headband flashlight as a tool to include with the other road repair tools. I’d rather not wait for another safety note, policy, or law, be brought out, that tells you…others want to know you are there.

            Many accidents involving pedestrians are when the weather plays a role, such as snow, rain, or fog. Not one accident I have ever seen on the news ever said that the victim was wearing a reflective vest, carrying a lit flashlight, or anything else to make certain they could be seen. Maybe we don’t have to wait for it to be a law. Maybe, all we have to do is see an article, and feel the need to do whatever it takes to be seen at night, and consider it a plan to put into practice. After all, the writer of this blog don’t know anything about you, except that somebody close in your life needs you to be in good shape, from parent to sibling, and other relations, to neighbors, coworkers, and friends. Some stranger asked you to do it, if not for your own personal safety, then on behalf of those who do know and care about you. A stranger…who wants you to be seen…and for you to see your way home safely.

            The headband flashlights easily can be carried in the pockets of jackets, stored in a glove box or toolbox, and no one needs to know you use it when it is dark. There is only one catch though…you have to wear it, and have it on, for me to see you.

            Get home safe, tonight and every night, and let me help you, by knowing your there, so I can give you a safe path to your destination; especially if you are walking.