Live Truck Operators’ Training Live truck operation can be deadly, if the training is not complete or done in a timely manner.

Training involves many different aspects of safety Where to park the truck Power line safety Storm safety Time restraints Amount of training hours received

Where to park the truck Problems slant of the truck parking on the side of roads or highways parking on underground power manhole covers tree branches, and other obstructions above the truck, can cause damage or death to a truck operator

Power line safety If the truck comes into contact with power lines it could mean death for both the photographer and anyone else around the truck at the time the mast comes in contact with a power line

Power line safety

Storm safety Issues of Wind Lightning Winter storms

Storm safety Wind Most truck mast are rated for 25 miles per hour continued winds, but above that can cause the mast to break and even make the mast deadly flying debris

Storm safety Lightning Lightning storms can make the mast a lightning rod if conditions are right, causing it to be deadly to both operator and those around

Storm safety Winter storms Poor road conditions, ice on the mast, freezing of the mast, and grounding issues, make a typical live shot not so typical and sometimes even deadly

Time restraints Combine all these issues with time restraints and photographers can make simple mistakes if they do not get trained on how to manage their time when they are out setting up a live shot

Amount of training hours received Training takes time Training is intense in what needs to be learned, so that photographers are trained for all situations that may arise Not having the proper training can prove deadly to an operator.

Needs to Solve the Problem Strict training regiment is followed They need time for training that includes hands on training on the trucks so new operators learn on the trucks they will be using new operators must be able to attend actual live shots and see live truck operators in action safety videos of accidents that have happened and how to avoid them, will also be a must for new truck operators to see the dangers evolved.

Injuries on the Job Chart

Accidents of January - Safety page author at New Year's celebration. TV crew has truck set up for live shot with mast extended through tree...Did they look first?? Feb - WTVD-11-ABC truck in Raleigh leaves scene with mast apparently frozen up...hits wires, van tipped, operator fired. Comments from B-Roll online bulletin board: 1) I talked with the operator / photographer. He says he was rushed to change locations, hit the "down" switch. cleaned up his gear, jumped in the truck and took off. But the mast had not come down, it was frozen up. He says he got no warning alarms. When he exited the parking lot, he hit an overhead cable tv line. The van basically did a wheelee then turned on its right side. No serious injuries. 2) Someone DID get hurt. According to newsblues, the reporter suffered some cracked ribs. And the photog, LOST his job over it. I agree, WAKE UP CALL!! To hell with the desk, no one should rush when it comes to SAFELY running a livetruck. Whether his alarms were going off or not, he should have VISUALLY confirmed that the mast was indeed down or not. The blame falls no farther than the crew on scene. Lucky they weren't high tension lines, or the job would have been the least of his worries. 3) The most disturbing the to me is the photographer and reporter heard no warning alarms. The truck is equipped with a mast-pin interlock, an alarm should have sounded. That's why we have got to do daily walk-around inspections, we've got to work as a team with the reporters to make sure everything is set to go before we pull away. It really does take only seconds to look up, look around, and save your life. I know it's cliché, but safety IS a habit, and you've got to take the time to complete a routine every time you take a truck out of the parking lot.SAFELY Feb - Sat truck operator from WBNS-10-CBS involved in a serious accident on I-71 sending him to a local hospital with serious injuries. From NewsBlues, Dispatch Broadcasting officials will not discuss the particulars of the accident, but insiders tell us [the operator] was talking on his cell phone when he rear-ended a semi, then was struck from behind. The crash blocked northbound lanes of the Interstate for several hours. The satellite truck was destroyed Fatality - KBTX-TV Photojournalist Matt Moore Killed in Accident. One report from the scene said he was outside the truck, cops told him over loud speakers not to move, he did, and apprently made contact with eith the truck or nearby structure which was electrified. Reference The ENG Safety Page. (2004). Retrieved June 11, 2004, from

Pictures Reference The ENG Safety Page. (2004). Retrieved June 11, 2004, from

Live Truck Operators’ Training Live truck operation can be deadly, if the training is not complete or done in a timely manner.