Tow professional issue 2, 2014

2 Tow Professional | Volume 3 Issue 2 | www.towprofessional.com

IN EVERY ISSUE

4 |Publisher Letter

38|HOOKED UP

44| Dealers Place

45|Market Place

48|Ad Index

8 |What Do You Get from Your Tow Association?

9 |Hazmat Responder Network Training

9 |towPartners has partnered with Michelin

10 |The unique design of the Hino 258 10 |Professional Tools for the Professional Towing

and Recovery Operator

11 |2014 BBB Torch Awards: Pierce Sales

24|Wall of the Fallen / Hall of Fame

CONTENTSVolume 3 • Issue 2 2014

www.towprofessional.com

T O W P R O F E S S I O N A L

IndustryNEWS

12 |What’s the Best Way toStart the Day?

Fuel 4 thought

Lube tAlk

20| Grease, the Forgotten Lube

14 |The Buck Stops Here

(It’s All About You, the Owner)

Spill Control 26 | Hazmat Awareness and Spill Kits

Improve Safety and Efficiency

6 | In Memoriam: Donald J. Mesaros, Jr.

Protective Clothing32 | Protecting Employees from Winter’s Hazards

Hooked Up

Spill Control Spotlights

38 | DC-Matic

29 | New Pig 30 | Keystone 31 | Flow Stop

38 | Next Generation 39 | Hubcaps Unlimited

39 | Aldridge Insurance

40 | Tow Mate

40 | AW Direct

41 | AW Direct

42 | BA Products

43 | Eye 3 Data

42 | Eartec

Protective Clothing Spotlight | 37

4 Tow Professional | Volume 3 Issue 2 | www.towprofessional.com

PUBLISHERSDarian Weaver

President & [email protected]

Jack HartsfieldVice President & [email protected]

Steve GoodwinSales Manager

[email protected]__________________________

PRODUCTION

Clint W. CabinessArt Director

Hal K. HuberKattie Spence

Graphic Designers

Jill HastyManaging Editor

__________________________

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSKaren HamelDJ HarringtonDan Messina

Mark H. StrommeDan Watson

Executive and Advertising Offices

2007 Old Montgomery Hwy, Suite B1. Birmingham, AL 35244Toll free: 888-802-8544Fax: 205-978-1550


Tow Professional is published nine times a year by OverThe Mountain Media, Inc., P.O. Box 26308, Birmingham, Alabama,35260, USA. Tow Professional is distributed free to qualified sub-scribers. Non-qualified subscription rates are $57.00 per year inthe U.S. and Canada and $84.00 per year for foreign subscribers(surface mail). U.S. Postage paid at Birmingham, Alabama andadditional mailing offices.

Tow Professional is distributed to qualified Towing & Re-covery's Top Decision Makers. Publisher is not liable for all con-tent (including editorial and illustrations provided by advertisers)of advertisements published and does not accept responsibilityfor any claims made against the publisher. It is the advertiser’sor agency’s responsibility to obtain appropriate releases on anyitem or individuals pictured in an advertisement. Reproductionof this magazine in whole or in part is prohibited without priorwritten permission from the publisher.

ProfessionalYour Resource for Towing & Recovery

TMLETTER

For a new free subscription, address changes or corrections,

please visit www.towprofessional.comand click on the “subscribe” tab.

P U B L I S H E R S

What a winter!For the people in our industry who are affected by mild or harsh winters, this one has

been one to make your year! We are located in Birmingham, Alabama, and even our

towing companies have benefitted from the ice and snow.

Since we are in Birmingham, one might not think that their company would need to

be prepared for such weather - WRONG! Two weeks ago, I witnessed three tow trucks

(two from the same company) that were trying to help others, but they got just as stuck

as the people they were trying to help. As a matter of fact, one of the trucks was

wrecked into a guard rail (spending money rather than making it). They weren’t pre-

pared; no chains or snow tires simply meant that they could not capitalize on an oppor-

tunity to make money. Yet other companies had no problem because they were simply

ready when the time came. Are you prepared when the next opportunity stares you

down and says, “Here is your chance”? In life, the closest thing to a guarantee is prepara-

tion.

The trade show season is about to start up again. We will be heading to Orlando for

the Florida Tow Show April 10-13. If you are in the area, I encourage attending the

show. The trade shows are the places to see new product and innovation. There are

also plenty of training courses and speaking engagements by our industry leaders at the

shows. Tow Professional will be in booth #278, and we hope to see you there!

I’ll be ready for Florida after this winter.

STAY SAFE,

Darian Weaver and Jack HartsfieldCo-Publishers

Volume 3 • Issue 2 2014


By the way, did you notice the last cover of Tow Profes-sional? Many of our readers did; thank you for your calls andemails. There were some safety issues to take note of andmake you think when you are on a recovery. Never allowsomeone behind the vehicle being loaded; the police carshould have been further behind the tow truck with hiswheels turned, and the controls should be operated oppositethe side of traffic. If you didn’t notice this, please do the nexttime you go on a call. It will get you back to your family safely.

6 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 2 | www.towprofessional.com

Publisher’s Note: We asked Cheryl Mish andTug Brock to help us pay tribute to Donald“Donny” J. Mesaros, Jr., an industry leader who

we recently lost. Cheryl (close friend) and Tug(stepson) share their meaningful thoughtswith us.

Cheryl Mish:Donald J. Mesaros, Jr.

passed away on January 11, 2014, after a

long and courageous battle with pancreatic

cancer. Don was proud to become a member

of The International Towing & Recovery Hall

of Fame Class of 2011….almost as proud as

the museum was to induct him! Don was a

very quiet and humble man who was loved

and adored by hundreds. His family was truly

blessed to have him, and his friends were

blessed even more to know him. There are so

many wonderful things that can be said about Don

throughout his life. He always put the feelings of oth-

ers first. He stood back in the shadows and let every-

one else shine in the light that he always seemed to

create. His spirit always glowed with happiness, and his

heart always broke with sadness. He loved deep, and he

gave everything unselfishly. He always stood strong and

proud – even to the end. His legacy will go on – he will

never be forgotten, and he will forever live in the hearts of

those who knew him. A great man indeed!

Tug Brock: “Donny was always the type of man that

put others first. He would give you the shirt off his back

and the last dollar out of his pocket, no matter how cold or

hungry he might have been. Though he never had chil-

dren, he and I hit it off right away, and we quickly devel-

oped a father/son relationship almost overnight. He

treated his grandchildren Jacey, Alex and Colton, espe-

cially Colton, as his own. I don’t know what his and

Colton’s connection was, but Donny stopped everything

he was doing when that little boy was with his Poppy.

When Colton was born, Donny got to hold him when he

was about 4 hours old. We remember him saying that he’s

never held a baby before.

Donny was the quiet, humble type. He honestly never

spoke bad about anybody, I don’t care who it was. If he

didn’t like you, you’d never know it, and neither would any-

body else. He cared about the towing industry more than

anybody I may ever meet in my lifetime. Donny was instru-

mental in many changes to the industry, and nothing

pleased him more than seeing towers working together as

an ally.

In one personal experience that I had with Donny, I had

towed a van for the local police. The vehicle had broken

down, and the family was from out of town. I towed the ve-

hicle back to our shop. They had a little girl with them,

about 7 years old, who had a rare skin disease, and she

was en route to Childrens’ Hospital in Cincinnati for treat-

ment. Once we diagnosed the vehicle, the husband told us

to go ahead and make the repairs and that he had to try to

call back home to borrow the money. Donny gave the fam-

ily a ride to Childrens’ for treatment and told them to call

us the next day when they were ready to come back. Upon

their return the next day, the man had several credit card

numbers in which to pay his bill. Donny tore up the bill and

told the man to take care of that baby girl.

Once the man left, I looked at Donny and said, “That

was very nice of you.” To which he replied, “Karma, Son,

Karma” and out the door he went.”

Donald J. Mesaros, Jr.

IN MEMORIUM


IndustryNEWST O W I N G & R E C O V E R Y

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Belonging to an association has many bene-fits. It’s sometimes hard to recognize orjustify the cost of joining. The California

Tow Truck Association (CTTA) is one of the largestand most successful in the towing industry. Often people immedi-ately look at the cash outlay and ask if they’ll get their money’s worth.We’ll try to explain what goes into a successful association and thevalue of membership.

First and foremost is the safety and professionalism for an indus-try like ours. We often operate in very dangerous situations, and it re-quires ongoing training and a focus on legislative issues, such as the“Slow Down, Move Over” laws, to protect our members and theiremployees. As for professionalism, the consumer is almost always ina negative situation when we begin our relationship. Whether it’stheir vehicle being impounded by a police agency (and we are theones contracted to take it away), they’ve broken down, or been in anaccident, all are emotional events, and we must present the best cus-tomer service of any business, all while in these stressful situations.Not as visible, but equally important, is understanding the technicalpart of towing, whether it’s operating the equipment or performingwithin the complex legal guidelines on impounds, general tows, etc.

The legislative piece is often the most complicated and hard to

manage. We clearly want to be heard onprotecting ourselves, but frequently thiscomes with the burden of facing morestringent compliance guidelines for doingbusiness. Often we must also become theenforcer. An excellent example of this isthe recent enactment of bill AB 306 inCalifornia, requiring a company picking upa vehicle from a tow yard to provide acopy of their Motor Carrier Permit. The in-tent is to keep rogue operators with noWorker’s Compensation or Liability Insur-ance off the highway. The police agenciesand DMV don’t have the resources to ad-minister this, so we now become part ofthe solution by carrying out the change.On the other hand, while we were excitedto partner with Caltrans (highway mainte-nance in CA) on getting our version of the“Slow Down, Move Over” bill passed, it isvery difficult for the various law enforce-ment agencies to oversee.

Education is critical. Everyone sees thevalue in learning how to roll thatsemi back upright or get a Jeep outof the ravine. However, it’s alsoabout teaching safety and cus-tomer service skills to a driver ordispatcher, how to look profes-sional, and, if the business is to beprofitable, teaching the owner howto be successful. Being successfulincludes managing expenses, pay-roll, HR issues, marketing and ad-

vertising. Education comes at a cost: writing and producing themanuals, paying for instructors, and the facilities to do the training.

Member benefits programs are often how the typical ownermeasures his association’s value. They come in a variety of sizes andshapes. Some of the companies and programs just offer a discount,and some pay back to the association. An association like ours hasdozens of vendors offering price breaks, assistance in problem solv-ing for owners, and other help. It’s unfortunate that we end up com-paring the “price of membership” against the “discounts and savings”to get owners to commit.

In reality, the association’s value is beyond measure. How do youput a price on a single driver saved by safety training, the number ofcustomers satisfied by quality service, or the security of knowingyour fellow towers must have the same insurance and qualificationsas you do to be on scene working alongside you?

Western States Tow Showwww.westernstatestowshow.com

What Do You Get from Your Tow Association? > > >

www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 2 | Tow Professional 9

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Hazmat Responder Network Training is designed to certify

Towing and Recovery Professionals who want to engage in the

containment, remediation and disposal process of contami-

nates and hazardous materials that are the result of transporta-

tion accidents. Course objectives are in compliance with

Federal regulations that govern such operations. Presented by

Rudy Dinkins and Perry Beaty, they bring over 50 years of com-

bined knowledge for hazmat and towing.

This Hazwoper Certification Course combines classroom

and field exercises with hands-on scenarios for in-depth under-

standing. Once completed, individuals will be certified under

29 CFR 1910.120 (q) for one year, at which time HRN will

offer a required 8 Hour refresher course.

Dinkins and Beaty encourage you to visit www.hazmatre-

spondernetwork.com for more information and course appli-

cation or call 877-356-9767.

www.hazmatrespondernetwork.com877-356-9767

towPartners has announced that it has re-

cently partnered with Michelin to be the pri-

mary supplier for the towPartners tire

program. This program brings a simple

process to towPartners members, allowing

them to setup an account directly with

Michelin and to receive the towPartners

pricing on their purchases. This new mem-

ber pricing is very aggressive and is ex-

pected to add significant value to the

towPartners membership, as well as to pro-

vide new sales for Michelin through the

partnership.

The new tire program being offered to towPartners members is

geared toward member companies with fleets who purchase tires

from local dealers. Using the program, towPartners members re-

ceive tremendous discounts on the tires they purchase and still

have access to the local dealer network for delivery of tires, as well

as mounting, balancing and other tire-related services. Participation

is limited to current towPartners members whose fleets represent

hundreds of thousands of tires in use every day.

"towPartners continues to work hard to deliver quality benefits to

our members," stated Jeffrey Godwin,

COO of FTI Groups, who operates tow-

Partners. "We are proud to offer a pro-

gram associated with such a dynamic

leader in the tire industry. The towPart-

ners Michelin program will offer towPart-

ners members the full line of Michelin

tire products at a great savings. We are

thrilled to offer this kind of quality benefit

that will represent real savings to our

members as we work 'for the industry."

towPartners members now have the

opportunity to view discounted Michelin

tire pricing online at www.towPartners.com and, after a very simple

Michelin program registration, will be able to order tires and pick

them up at a Michelin dealer near their location. There are approxi-

mately 1,700 points of sale across the United States, making the tow-

Partners tire program accessible nationwide.

To learn more about towPartners, visit www.towpartners.com.

Hazmat Responder Network > > >

towPartners has recently partnered with Michelin > > >. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Professional Tools for the Professional Towing and Recovery Operator > > >ITI Products developed by a tower

for towers help with difficult jobs whilepromoting a professional image.

The sound of a smooth sliding car,no scraping on concrete, no gouging ofasphalt, no metal on aluminum or steelscraping noises, reinforce the image ofthe professional towing & recovery op-

erator in the eyes of the customer and the repair facility technician. ITIproducts accomplish that and more.

With more innovative products on the way, ITI provides the righttool for the job. The original all-purpose skate (APS4), the Control ArmSkate (CAS6), and the Container Skate (CSP.5) are just a few in theever growing ITI product line. ITI takes pride in its ability to introducetools to the towing industry that enhance the image of the towing op-erator.

ITI Skate products reduce resistance, some as much as 66%, creat-ing less stress on the winch and attachments, eliminates further dam-age to the disabled vehicle, reduces or eliminates damage to thecarrier bed and the blacktop or concrete is not gouged during the re-covery/ loading and unloading process.

ITI’s goal is to provide proper tools to make the job easier and saferfor the people who choose the towing industry as a career, and havethose in this field regarded as “Professionals.”

I TOW IN, Inc800-979-8697

IndustryNEWST O W I N G & R E C O V E R Y

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Turn the steering wheel and see for yourself.The unique design of the Hino 258 steering components gives it a wheel

cut of 55°, one of the most accommodating in the transportation indus-

try. And the Meritor Easy Steer front axle and TRW steering gear not only

reduce steering effort, but also contribute to long component life.

The 258’s standard dual driver side grab han-

dles, large non-skid steps and the widest door

openings in the industry (88° of swing) make it

easy to get in and out of the truck. It also makes it

safer, especially when the driver is entering and ex-

iting in hazardous weather.

The 2014MY Hino Trucks lineup welcomed a

new addition to the family: the 195 model. This

19,500 GVW cab-over engine chassis configura-

tion is available as a diesel-only (195) and is also

available with a diesel-electric hybrid (195h) op-

tion. Both models are also available in an extended

double-cab (195-DC, 195h-DC) configuration.

The 195 boasts excellent sight lines and sec-

ond-to-none maneuverability that one would ex-

pect from a COE offering, but there is more to the

story. What really drives the 195’s success is the

Hino J05 engine that powers it. The J05 engine

features 210hp with 440 lb.-ft. of torque with a 5L

displacement. The 195 / 195-DC model is also eligible to receive

HinoCare benefits free of charge to the customer, which is Hino’s pre-

ventive care program for the truck’s first 2 years or 60,000 miles.

Visit www.hino.com for more information and to locate your

nearest Hino dealer.

The unique design of the Hino 258 > > >

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The Better Business Bureau of North Central Texascontinued a tradition January 21, 2014, by hostingthe 17th Annual BBB Torch Awards for Market-place Excellence at the Wichita Falls Country Clubbefore a capacity crowd. Businesses were cele-brated and acknowledged for their commitment toethics, integrity and their support of our local mar-ketplace. The top awards went to Law Office of Gregory Un-derwood P.C. for the Small Category, AAAGuardian Foundation Repair for the Medium Cate-gory, Pierce Sales for the Large Category, andRathgeber Hospitality House in the Non-Profit Cat-egory in recognition of their commitment to excep-tional customer service and ethical businesspractices. The BBB presented winners with a crys-tal trophy that they can display and the winnerspromote their status in advertising, marketing and on their websites.Businesses are evaluated for their commitment to customer servicethrough exceptional standards for ethical business practices. The inde-pendent panel of judges, made up of various community leaders, lookat how the company engages its customers, employees and the largercommunity. They also must meet BBB ethical, advertising and sellingstandards. Companies and charities may nominate themselves, or theymay be nominated by customers or other businesses.

Pierce SalesPierce Sales has been in Henrietta, Texas,since 1976. The company was literally builtfrom scratch. Jeff Pierce stood with his fa-ther, George, along different stretches ofhighway, waving to passing drivers and see-ing how many friendly waves they got in re-turn. The friendliest location became Jeff’sbusiness location. Pierce Sales began in con-signment sales but grew to become a distrib-utor of towing accessories; converter of worktruck equipment; and manufacturer ofwinches, remote controls, farm equipmentand dump kits. Within a few years of open-ing, Pierce Sales became the largest distribu-tor of trailers nationwide.One of their mottos is “Do It Right the First

Time.” The Pierce Sales conversion shop has extensive experience,and they do not rush to complete their work. Pierce Sales is commit-ted to serving others during work hours and also in the community.They are personally involved in many non-profit and religious organi-zations.T hey have had numerous awards for “Distributor of the Year,”as well as numerous letters and certificates of appreciation from thecommunity.

2014 BBB Torch Awards > > >

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Last week,I was in New Orleans speakingat the NADA Convention. NADAis the National Automobile Dealers Association. While there, I wasasked, “DJ, how do you start your day?” Wonderful question! So, Ipaused and said, “Well, at my age, it seems the bathroom is the firston my list.” My comment prompted a smile! I continued, “I’ve gotsome age on me and am a Christian. So, I sit down and spend sometime reflecting. I really try to be someone who finds something goodin each day…then give it to someone else.”

The tips that I am about to share with you will help you discoverthe right beginning for your day. This one is so important. Believethat you are going to have a great day. Have the faith that nomatter what happens that your day will be great. Ask yourselfempowering and positive questions, such as: What can I do to makethis day better than any other day? Or, what can I do to make a differ-ence in my job or business? Review and reflect over things in yourlife that make you the happiest. What are you most excited about inyour life? When you ask yourself these type of questions, you’re moreapt to have a good day.

All of us should think about what we are most grateful for in ourlives. Now that I have 3 grandchildren, the natural course is to thinkabout them a great deal. So I do. What’s your focal point? Whenyou’ve pinpointed it, focus on the positive answers to some of theabove questions. Use the answers to enrich your life and give your-self a positive attitude toward each new day.

Here are the next activities in my morning ritual. Sometimes I lis-ten to lively music. Fast, energizing music can get me rechargedquickly for the new day. Music is a melodious vapor that can change

the mindset from negative to positive. Another day, I may listen tomotivational tapes while dressing for the day. Words from someonesuccessful may be just what you need. Let’s not forget your goals ei-ther. You need to go over your long-term goals and review all the ac-tions you can take towards accomplishing them.

I have to include this activity every morning. I spend 5 to 10 min-utes each day with a daily devotional book that I bought for myselfthis past Christmas. It’s a ritual for me that’s “non-negotiable.” Thatmay not be for you. Perfectly fine!

However, here are some suggestions that might help you startyour day – your way.

You have to get up earlier than you want to get up. Every-one knows the old saying, “The early bird always catches the worm.”You have to give more than you get in return the momentyou put your feet onto the floor. You have to care moreabout others and helping them more than they care aboutyou. You have to lead when no one else is following you yetor you don’t feel like leading. You have to invest in yourselfeven though no one else is. You have to try and fail, try andfail, and try again. You have to run faster even though youare out of breath. You have to be kind to people who havebeen cruel or mean to you even though you’d rather recipro-cate. When things go wrong, you have to be accountable for your-self.

The biggest suggestion of all, no matter what happens, is youmust keep your personal goals and achievements in front of you– all day, every day. Review them each morning and throughout theday. Before retiring at night, see how much you accomplished.

Making sure you have a good day depends on how you start,spend and finish your day. What you put into your mind and heartfrom the moment you wake up is most important because it sets thescene and tone for the day’s events. Start a ritual now. You’ll discoverwonderful, positive and productive days ahead for you.

See you next time.TOW

D.J. Harrington is an author, journalist, seminar leader, international trainer, and mar-keting consultant. He works primarily with customer service personnel, and his clientsinclude such world-class companies as General Motors, DuPont, Caterpillar, AutoDataDirect and Damon Corporation He can be reached at 800-352-5252 or by e-mail [email protected].

Publisher’s Note: DJ will be speaking at the 17th Annual TRAALegislative & Leadership Conference, March 20-23, 2014. Hopeeveryone is there in Washington, D.C., to support TRAA!


Fuel 4 thought By D. J . Harr ington

What’s the Best Way toStart the Day?


As the owner of my business, I was now responsible for everything thatwould happen. I was now in charge of:

1. Finding a location2. Understanding all the laws and regulations for my industry3. Identifying the different types of people I would have to hire4. Hiring and firing of all employees5. Buying computers and software6. Buying other equipment necessary for my business7. Accounting8. Sales9. Customer service10. Setting objectives for the company11. Preparing a budget12. Running the day-to-day operation and keeping everyone happy

The Buck Stops Here(It’s All About You, the Owner)

By Dan Messina

30 years or so, I worked in the computerindustry and did not worrymuch about the structureof the company because itwas already there. When Istarted my own business, Ididn’t realize how differ-

ent my life would become.

Everything comes back to “You” the owner.

The first thing I did was identify the type of person I was and what I

believed in, because this is what my company would look like. As I

looked at myself, I thought:

a. I knew I worked better as a team player, not an individual that wanted or had to do everything.

b. I knew I wanted a professional look. I want my employees to look professional but intimidating.

c. I wanted my team to have uniforms.

d. I wanted my equipment to look good with lots of bling.

There were other things we will talk about as we identify who

“you” are. My only experience to this point was the sports teams I put

together. I was a softball umpire for several city recreational leagues in

the Dallas area. I wanted to put together a team to compete at a high

level, so I started scouting teams that I was umpiring.

This was my interview process. I wanted my leadoff hitter to be

left-handed with speed. This would increase his chances of getting on

base. I wanted my 2nd and 3rd batters to be good hitters and get on

base a lot, and I wanted my 4th hitter to be cleanup and have power

to hit homeruns. My 5, 6, 7, and 8 batters were the same as the first

4. The 9th batter was usually the pitcher, and, as long as he could

pitch, that’s all that mattered. Once I had the players, I dressed them

to look good, which made them intimidating. Other teams feared us

before we even took the field.

That was my philosophy for my softball team, and it was very suc-

cessful. We played in several state tournaments and even made it to

nationals one year. It was fun and very successful at the same time.

I took the same philosophy and applied it to my company. I knew I

was a team player, so my first priority was to build a strong team. I

needed a sales person. I found an experienced sales person that could

bring me business immediately, but he wanted a large salary. Remem-

ber when you are starting a company, everyone’s salary seems large.

We found a way to afford him by giving him other functions to do be-

sides sales. We needed phone people, and we found people we liked

and had good personalities and were upbeat people and they worked

out great. My drivers were as honest as I was going to find in this in-

dustry, and most of their tattoos were hidden. I didn’t mind tattoos,

but I wanted a professional look. This was easy to build because I

know who I was and what I wanted my company to look like.



I had a competitor who spent some time in jail. When he got out

and started his business, he used all the people he met in jail.

Needless to say, his company was a little different than mine.

Back to my sports ventures, there was a time when 3 on 3 street

basketball became very popular and cities would hold tournaments.

Dallas would get over 250 teams to participate. I decided to put a

team together and compete. I looked for a ball handler, a shooter and

a big man. Each team had four players, so there was one substitute. I

was the brains behind the team. I was also the only white guy on the

team. Once again, I was looking for skills for the team. Once again,

we were very successful. We played together 4 years and won in

cities all over the southwest.

I relate what I’ve done in sports and tried to show you how it re-

lated to my business. Everyone is different; as you evaluate you are

and your strengths and weaknesses, you will see what you need for

your company to make it better. Don’t hire everyone just like you or

you will be strong in the areas you are good

in and weak at the areas you don’t like.

I was opening up an auction business one

time, and I needed to get a zoning change for

the property I wanted to occupy. My landlord

let me run my business there while I worked

on the zoning change. I thought I could do it

myself. This is something I never had any ex-

perience in, and it was quite a lesson to be

learned. I had to deal with:

1. Selling multiple city council men in Dallas

2. Attending and presenting my opportunity zoning no less than 4 times

3. Walking the neighborhood getting a petition signed by residents

4. Presenting my opportunity to city council twice

After several months of fighting with the

city, I did not get the zoning change, and I

gave up on the business. As I was going

through this, I met a consulting firm that

want to help me. They were Dallas council

men and had all the connections. I chose to

go it alone and lost.

Several years later, I had a business that I

want to move to a larger location. That move

required a zoning change. Do you think I tried

to do it myself? Hell no. I found that consult-

ing firm and gave it to them. In less than 60

days, I got the change and moved. Don’t try

to do things yourself. Find people talented at

what you need and use them.

After I got the new land, I needed to develop it. I needed:

1. A city of Dallas Fence Permit

2. A city of Dallas Building Permit

3. A city of Dallas Landscaping Permit

4. A city of Dallas Electrical Permit

5. A city of Dallas Plumbing Permit

6. A city of Dallas Concrete Surface Permit

I thought this would be easy, so I went to the city and applied for

all the permits. They required something new every day, and, after 3

weeks of aggravation, I thought I would escalate my problem to a

higher level. While I was waiting for my meeting, I met a young lady

in the waiting room who was saying hi to all the city employees as

they came in. I commented to her that she knew everyone and asked

if she could help me. She said yes. I asked her to wait until my meet-

ing was over and I would talk to her. I met with the escalating people,

and they said it would cost me $500 an hour and a minimum of 5

hours to get my permits. I asked them how long it would take, and

they told me another 3 weeks. I left the meeting.

On the way out, I asked the young lady to meet me outside.

When we got outside, I asked her what she could do for me. She said

I needed $1,500 cash and I would have the permits in less than 7

working days. I gave her the money, and we went inside and started

the process of applying for permits all over. She was right; in less

than 7 business days, I not only had my permits, but I also had them

green tagged and approved.

The point I want to make with all these stories is that you can’t

do all the work yourself. Not only do you not have the skills, but

you don’t have the time, either. Don’t be afraid to use others to

help run your business. It will make your life easier and definitely

more productive.

Everything in your company falls on your shoulders; share the

load. Our advice in running your business is to surround yourself with

people smarter than you and have fun. Someday your life will flash in

front of you, so we want to make it worth watching. TOW

Visit www.djanddan.com for more information.



LubetAlk

Inprevious Lube Talk articles, we looked at the role lubricants play in

overcoming the effects of friction. In this installment, I want to ex-

amine one specialized type of lubricant: grease lube. Looking at previous

civilizations, we can see that man has tried several methods to provide

basic lubrication to load-bearing surfaces; axles have presented one of

the most challenging applications. As far back as 1400 BC, mutton fat

and beef tallow were used on chariot axles to reduce friction in order to

allow for more speed and to slow down wear. One can only imagine the

pressure on the maintenance men to make the chariot go faster and to

avoid axles catching on fire from the continuous friction. While there is

evidence of lime being added to these fats in order to make their lubri-

cating properties last longer, few other improvements to the composi-

tion of grease are known to have been used until we reach the magic

year of 1859.

What happened in 1859? Colonel Drake drilled the first ever oil well

in Pennsylvania; since then, the world has not been the same. In petro-

leum oil, man found a lubricant that could be manipulated in a variety of

ways to produce greases much superior to the lubricants that preceded

them. In turn, more advanced and effective greases have been pro-

duced in recent decades with the advent of synthetic greases.

The word grease is derived from the Latin word Crassus meaning fat.

We can see where the name came from (mutton fat, beef tallow); how-

ever, grease lube, for modern purposes, is not to be construed as fat. The

American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) defined grease in 1916

as: A solid to semi-fluid product of dispersion of a thickening agent in a

liquid lubricant. In plain English, this means a lubricant composed of lu-

bricating fluids (oils), thickened by mixing chemicals to produce a semi-

fluid to semi-solid consistency.

Now that we know a little of the history of grease and how grease is

defined in modern lubrication; when, where and why is grease lube

used? While lubricating oils are able to lubricate any friction-causing situ-

ation, greases offer unique characteristics that are well suited for:

• Situations requiring less dripping or spattering of lubricant

• Hard to lubricate bearings or joints where reducing frequency

of lubrication is needed

• In dirty, dusty or hazardous environments where additional

sealing is needed to prevent lubricant contamination

• For intermittent operation. Oil drains away from critical

bearings when the equipment is stopped but grease stays in

place.

Grease Lube CompositionGreases are made from oil and thickeners (sometimes called soaps). The

process is simple, but the details are fairly complex. The lubricating oil


GREASE, By Dan Watson

the Forgotten Lube

can be petroleum or synthetic and can vary in viscosity. Additionally, anti-

wear and extreme pressure additives can be added to formulate greases

for specific applications, such as high speed bearings, very cold or very

hot conditions, open gears, extreme loads or high moisture conditions,

to name a few. Oil and thickeners can be combined to offer greater tem-

perature ranges and resistance to moisture. Thickeners can be com-

bined or formulated with additional chemicals to produce more complex

thickeners for specific applications.

Greases will vary in thickness depending on the amount and type of

thickeners used, as well as the viscosity

of the lubricating oil used. The Na-

tional Lubricating Grease Institute

(NLGI) is the regulating body that es-

tablishes specific ratings for greases.

Greases are rated on a hardness

scale from 000 to 6; where 000 is a

thick liquid, like pudding, and 6 is a

block, similar to hard clay. Today, 000

grease lube is used as a replacement

for gear lubes in bearings and differ-

entials, and number 6 grease is used

where a rubbing action is needed to

produce a light film on the surface to

be lubricated. Wheel bearings and

chassis greases used in auto and truck applications are usually NLGI #2.

In very cold climates, NLGI #1 grease is preferred because the grease

will thicken in response to the temperatures. Synthetic greases thick-

ened with appropriate compounds are functional over a wide tempera-

ture range, from minus 50ºF to 500ºF; petroleum greases are generally

limited to 0°F to 300°F.

In 1991, the NLGI developed a classification system specifically tar-

geting automotive greases (Table One). For the majority of readers, it is

the appropriate rating system for your truck applications.


ApplicationNLGIServiceClassification

Service Limitations

Chassis LA Mild duty, frequent re-lubrication

Chassis LB Infrequent re-lubrication, high loads, water exposure

Wheel Bearings GA Mild duty

Wheel Bearings GB Moderate duty, typical of most vehicles

Wheel Bearings GC Servere duty, high temperatures and frequent stop

and go service

NLGI Classification System for Automotive Greases (Table One)

LubetAlk


So, when you are looking to purchase grease lube for your truck,

look for grease labeled GC-LB: grease rated for severe duty for the

wheel bearings as well as for the chassis. Multi-purpose grease is the

correct match for 3500 chassis, but heavy duty grease is the better

choice for most tow trucks. Synthetic greases, available from Amsoil

and Mobil, will provide the best protection over the widest tempera-

ture range. Heavy duty grease is moly-fortified (molybdenum disul-

fide), which provides for extreme pressure lubrication. I have

explained the difference in extreme pressure lubrication vs. standard

lubrication regimes in an earlier issue of Lube Talk, so please refer to

that issue for the specific explanation. There are several legitimate

extreme pressure grease points on heavy duty trucks; using the cor-

rect grease is critical for proper operation and long life.

If the grease will be exposed to water, either by submersion or by

spray, using water resistant grease is the best choice. To be water re-

sistant, the grease must

pass additional testing

that insures its ability to

cling to a surface while

being sprayed with a

stream of water. Water re-

sistant greases contain

additional thickeners and

tackifiers that allow them

to resist washing out. Sometimes, these greases will be labeled “ma-

rine,” but more and more they are simply referred to as water resist-

ant.

Grease CompatibilityA word of caution; not all greases are compatible with each other.

This problem occurs because some of the thickening agents chemi-

cally react with others, which can lead to the grease lube becoming

very hard or liquefying or preventing the oil from leeching out to pro-

vide lubrication, essentially rendering the grease useless. Most

grease you find for automotive applications are lithium or lithium-

complex greases: these are compatible with each other. Table Two

covers compatibility/incompatibility of commonly used greases. If

you find grease that uses a different thickener than those listed, con-

tact me to verify compatibility.

In 1859, Colonel Drake drilled the first ever oil well in Pennsylvania;since then, the world has not been the same. In petroleum oil, manfound a lubricant that could be manipulated in a variety of ways toproduce greases much superior to the lubricants that precededthem. In turn, more advanced and effective greases have been pro-duced in recent decades with the advent of synthetic greases.

Table Two –Different types of grease lube are not always compati-

ble with each other. For instance, the first two grease compounds, Alu-

minum Complex and Barium Complex are incompatible as indicated by

the “I” inside a red box. A “C” inside a green box indicates that the two

compounds are compatible with each other. A “B” in a yellow field indi-

cates the two compounds possess only borderline compatibility.

Grease is the forgotten lubricant, it just doesn’t rise to the level of no-

tice of other lubricants; however, grease lube is fundamental to proper

care for your vehicle. For most auto or truck applications, greasing

should be done at three month intervals for petroleum and six month in-

tervals for synthetics. Wheel bearings properly packed with synthetic

grease are good for 10 years, but the most convenient time for repack-

ing is when the brakes are replaced. There are few manufacturers stipu-

lating wheel bearing maintenance, and some are now installing sealed

bearings that cannot be greased. Ball joints and steering joints can still

be greased in most heavy duty vehicles, but in light duty vehicles, the

grease fittings may not be installed and you will have to purchase them

and install them. As with all lubricants, synthetic greases outperform pe-

troleum greases, and the cost difference is actually in favor of the syn-

thetics; you simply use less grease over time and the upfront cost

difference is minimal. TOW

For questions and/or comments, contact me via my

website, www.TheLubepage.com,

or by email at [email protected].


Compatibility / Incompatibility of CommonlyUsed greases (Table Two)


Punctured radiators and grazed saddle tanksare just two of the leaky messes that drivers may face whenthey’re called out to assist disabled vehicles. Getting theseand other vehicle fluids under control quickly and safely can

present challenges.Whether it’s crankcase oil, brake fluid, antifreeze or bat-

tery acid, all are essential fluids that keep vehicles running.Unfortunately, these fluids aren’t very useful when they’re

By Karen Hamel, New Pig Corporation

Hazmat Awareness &

Spill Kits Improve Safety and Efficiency


leaking into the ground. To make matters worse, most are consid-ered to be hazardous – presenting problems for both the environ-ment and personal safety. Knowing what to do before a spill kit ischosen is just as important as choosing the right one.

Recognizing Hazards

Being able to quickly recognize different vehicle fluids and under-standing their hazards is an important safety consideration for driv-ers. It allows the correct absorbents, personal protective equipment(PPE) and other tools to be chosen and used for the fastest, most effi-cient response.In addition to these liquids, drivers can face just about anything

when they pull up to a scene. Tank trucks carry anything from water to highly flammable or cor-

rosive materials. And just like engine fluids, if there’s an accident,these can leak, too. In many cases, drivers are not trained to respondto large chemical spills, and, even in the event of a large tanker spill,they will not be called upon to assist with actual cleanup duties forthose liquids. However, because they could encounter a wide varietyof hazardous liquids, it’s a good idea for everyone to have at least ageneral awareness of the hazards that they could face at an accidentscene.Fire departments, the local emergency management agency or

the local hazmat team are all good sources for free or low-cost haz-ard awareness training. This training won’t train drivers to gear upand respond to a big spill, but it will give them an understanding of

how to look for hazards and help them to understand the steps thatthey can take to stay safe.

Protecting the Bottom Line

Employees are arguably a company’s most valuable asset, so pro-tecting them from harmful chemical splashes that might occur whilethey’re out clearing vehicles from a scene should be a priority. As spillresponse supplies are being chosen, consider what types of gloves,splash goggles and other PPE might also be needed to keep driverssafe.It is important to have PPE that is resistant to the fluids that drivers

will regularly face. But, it is also important to recognize that no singletype of glove, splash suit or other piece of PPE will protect workersfrom everything. If they are at a scene with an unknown chemical, itis far safer for them to step back and wait for help from someonewho has knowledge of the chemicals involved than it is to wear PPEthat won’t properly protect them from harm.

Understanding Absorbents

Absorbents come in lots of different colors, shapes, forms and sizes.In most cases, choosing the wrong one won’t bring doom and utterdestruction – but just like tools, choosing the right one will make thejob go a lot more smoothly.The first thing to know is that absorbents come in two types: uni-

versal and water-repellent (also called “oil-only”). Universal ab-sorbents are non-selective – they will absorb just about any liquid

that comes into contact with them. This canbe a good thing because they always work,no matter what the liquid is. But, it can bebad if the absorbent is not compatible withthe liquid. It can also be bad if it is raining be-cause the absorbents will pick up both thespilled liquid and rainwater, so more ab-sorbents will likely be needed to get a spillcleaned up.Water-repellent or oil-only absorbents

only absorb oils and petroleum products.These are a first choice for response in badweather because they’ll repel water and onlyabsorb the oils and petroleum products pres-ent. The limiting factor is that they will notpick up coolants, battery acid or any otherwater-based liquids. When choosing ab-sorbents for a spill kit, it’s a good idea for driv-ers to have both universal and oil-onlyabsorbents. The next thing to understand is which

form of absorbent to use: socks, mats, orloose. Having a combination of these threeforms will help get small spills under controland cleaned up quickly.Socks come in different lengths, and like

other absorbents, can be either universal oroil-only. The main function of socks is to cre-ate a dike that absorbs and stops the spillfrom spreading any further. Absorbent mats are used to quickly soak

up spills that have been contained. They canalso be placed under something that isslowly dripping to catch the drips until thesource of the leak can be found and re-paired.Loose absorbents are probably the most

familiar. They can be poured around a spill todike it or sprinkled over a contained spill tosoak it up. The limiting factor with loose ab-sorbents is that they need to be swept orshoveled up after use, unlike mats and socks,which are easier and faster to pick up afterthey’ve done their job. The last thing to consider is how much

liquid each absorbent can hold. This helps todetermine how many of each type of ab-sorbent to put into a spill kit. Most vehiclespills are less than 10 gallons. In most cases,a spill kit that absorbs 10 to 20 gallons willfit in the cab, and will be lightweight enoughfor anyone to pull it from the cab for fast use.

Spill Kit Picks

Spill kits come in different shapes and sizes.They can come prepackaged from a sup-plier, or they can be put together onsite frommaterials supplied by different vendors. Liketools in a toolbox, as time goes on, operatorswill discover which products and tools theylike the best and which are the most useful.Some of the most common items in spill kitsare:

• Absorbents (socks and mats)• Appropriate PPE• Hand wipes• Temporary disposal bags• Patch and repair items

Prepackaged spill kits come in both one-time-use and refillable varieties. One-time-use kits are convenient because when theyare used at a scene, they can be quickly re-placed with a new kit. Refillable kits can bemore economical, and can be refilled as thecontents are used.

Ready for Action

People rarely call for a tow truck unlesssomething has gone wrong. Disabled vehi-cles and highway accidents cause trafficcongestion and can spur additional acci-dents. Being prepared to handle small spillsquickly and safely adds value to towing serv-ices, prevents fluids from being tracked fromthe scene and minimizes slippery road con-ditions caused by fluids that leak from vehi-cles. TOW

Karen D. Hamel is a technical specialistfor New Pig Corp. She has over 20years of experience helping environ-mental, health and safety professionalsfind solutions to meet EPA, OSHA andDOT regulations. She is a hazmat tech-nician, serves on the Blair County, PALEPC, is a CERT trainer and has com-pleted a variety of hazmat response andNIMS courses, including Planning Sec-tion Chief. She can be reached at 1-800-HOT-HOGS8 (468-4647) or byemail [email protected].


New Pig is the No. 1 brand thathelps companies manage leaks,drips and spills to protect workers,facilities and the environment.“Partners In GrimeD” with our customers

since 1985, New Pig has grown into a

multi-channel, multi-brand supplier of in-

novative liquid management solutions

and industrial maintenance products that

serves more than 200,000 industrial,

commercial, utility, military and govern-

ment facilities in 70 countries worldwide.

When New Pig invented the first

contained absorbent, the PIGD

Absorbent Sock, it revolutionized

industrial leak and spill manage-

ment forever. Today, New Pig of-

fers thousands of exclusive and

innovative PIGD brand products,

including 29 Plant Engineering

Products of the Year Awards. Among the

leading New Pig brands include the Original

PIG Absorbent Socks, PIG Grippy Mats, PIG

Spillblocker Dikes, PIG Spill Kits, and PIG

Flammable Safety Cabinets. Besides the

world’s largest selection of absorbent mats,

socks, booms, pillows, pans and spill kits, the

company also features select name-brand

products in material handling equipment,

workplace safety, stormwater management,

personal protection, spill response, vehicle

fluid maintenance, filtration, maintenance

and clean room wipes. TOW

For more information, contact

www.newpig.com. New Pig is

headquartered in Tipton, PA.


spill control company spotlight

New Pig

EcoSponge is utilized as an absorbentand bioremediation product in both resi-dential and industrial applications.EcoSponge can be spread on any surfaceand will quickly absorb most aqueous spills.Spread a thin layer of EcoSponge over thespill. Wait a short period of time for the spillto be absorbed. The patented of microbesare designed to consume the hydrocarbonsand can turn most any spills into inert mate-rial. The hydrocarbons will be encapsulatedwithin the cell walls of EcoSponge. EcoSponge naturally occurring microor-

ganisms will immediately begin to breakdown the hydrocarbons. Once the contami-nates are encapsulated, the unwanted mate-rial is then considered to be biodegrade andcan be left on site or disposed of in mostlandfills. The product works on both soil andhard surface applications. EcoSponge is alsoable to absorb and encapsulate heavy met-als from soils and liquids.

Why EcoSponge?• Low cost• Extremely high absorption value• Quick absorption rates• Biodegrades most oils and solvents• Absorbs 4 times more than clay productswithout the dust• Non-abrasive• Works on hard surfaces and water

Keystone stocks plenty of products for spillcontainment, such as booms and ab-sorbent pads. We also have a chemical so-lution that will cleanup spills on contact andbreaks down the Hydrocarbons. TOW

Keystone Tape and Supply of Texas, Inc.Office: 817-439-8898Fax: 817-439-0593www.keystonetape.com


Spill Containmentspill control

company spotlight

Based in Denver, North Carolina, FlowStop is originally known for itsinflatable pipe plug designed to manage flow control, containment,remediation, spill response and evacuation/flushing. It also simpli-fies drain line maintenance. FEMA Grant-approved, the patented de-sign includes single and dual 2 inch flow-through ports for servingnon-pressurized pipes. The models not only arrest unwanted con-taminants in storm drains; they also turn the storm drain into a con-tainment tool – thereby simplifying the control and remediationprocess!The new FlowStop “Golfball” and “Football” Plugs are the newest

products in the line,controlling leaks morequickly, easily and ac-curately than any otherproduct available any-where. About Perry BeatyPerry Beaty is a veteranof the towing industryin Charlotte, North Car-olina, where he ownedand operated Beaty

Towing and Recovery along with Piedmont Environmental ResponseTeam (PERT), selling both companies in 1998. He is WreckermasterCertified 95465 and named one of the Top Ten Wreckmasters in1997. Beaty has maintained his Hazmat certification, receiving apatent in 2008 for the inflatable storm drain plug that was approvedfor FEMA funding in 2010. TOW

To learn more, visit www.FlowStop.net or call 877-356-9767.


spill control company spotlight


Personal protective equipmentThe above items are considered personal pro-tective equipment, commonly referred to as“PPE.” PPE is equipment worn to minimize ex-posure to serious workplace injuries and ill-nesses. These injuries and illnesses may resultfrom contact with chemical, radiological,physical, electrical, mechanical, or other work-place hazards. Personal protective equipmentmay also include items such as gloves, safety

glasses, protective footwear, earplugs, hard hats, respirators, coveralls,vests, and full body suits.

Ensure proper use of personal protective equipmentOSHA requires that all personal protective equipment be of safe designand construction, and be maintained in a clean and reliable fashion. Itshould fit well and be comfortable, which encourages workers to use it. Ifthe PPE does not fit properly, it can make the difference between beingsafely covered or dangerously exposed.

When engineering, work practice, and administrative controls are notfeasible or do not provide sufficient protection, employers must providePPE to their workers and ensure its proper use.

TrainingEmployers are also required to train each worker required to use PPE toknow:

• When it is necessary• What kind is needed• How to properly put it on, adjust, wear and take it off• The limitations of the equipment• Proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the equipment

Body protectionEmployees who face possible bodily injury of any kind that cannot beeliminated through engineering, work practice or administrative con-trols must wear appropriate body protection while performing theirjobs. Employees working in the towing profession are often exposedto these hazards:

By Mark H. Stromme

Protecting Employees from

Winter’s HazardsAs a tow professional, you and other owners, op-

erators, and employees work year-round outside inthe elements. Depending on your location, the out-door work environment can be brutal, especially inthe winter months.

Wearing jackets, coveralls, insulated work boots,gloves, hats and balaclavas are a common meansof protection from the cold, wind, rain, and snow.Crawling around over and under vehicles and onthe beds of trailers can put this cold weather gear tothe test.


• Temperature extremes; • Splashes from hot liquids; • Potential impacts from tools, machinery and materials; and• Chemicals.

All employers are required to perform a hazard assessment accordingto OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.132(d), “Hazard assessment and equipment se-lection.”

CALL OUT BOX 29 CFR 1910.132(d)The employer shall assess the work-place to determine if hazards are pres-ent, or are likely to be present, whichnecessitate the use of personal protec-tive equipment (PPE). If such hazardsare present, or likely to be present, theemployer shall: • Select, and have each affected em-ployee use, the types of PPE that willprotect the affected employee from thehazards identified in the hazard assess-ment; • Communicate selection decisions toeach affected employee; and • Select PPE that properly fits each af-fected employee.

If a hazard assessment indicates a need forfull body protection against toxic substances orharmful physical agents, the clothing must:

• Be carefully inspected before each use, • Fit each worker properly, and• Function properly and for the purpose forwhich it is intended.

Protective clothing comes in a variety of ma-terials, each effective against particular hazards,such as:

• Paper-like fiber used for disposable suits pro-vides protection against dust and splashes. • Treated wool and cotton adapts well tochanging temperatures, is comfortable andfire-resistant and protects against dust, abra-sions, and rough and irritating surfaces. • Duck is a closely woven cotton fabric thatprotects against cuts and bruises when han-dling heavy, sharp, or rough materials. • Leather is often used to protect against dryheat and flames. • Rubber, rubberized fabrics, neoprene and

plastics protect against certain chemicals and physical hazards. Whenchemical or physical hazards are present, check with the clothingmanufacturer to ensure that the material selected will provide protec-tion against the specific hazard.

High-visibility retroreflective clothingVisibility hazards can also pose problems for tow operators. When youare exposed to traffic hazards, a best practice would be to follow the

2009 edition of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD),Chapter 6E, Flagger Control, which states:

“For daytime and nighttime activity, flaggers shall wear high-visibilitysafety apparel that meets the Performance Class 2 or 3 requirements ofthe ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 publication entitled American National Stan-

dard for High-Visibility Apparel and Headwear and labeled as meeting theANSI 107-2004 standard performance for Class 2 or 3 risk exposures.

“The apparel background (outer) material color shall be fluorescent or-ange-red, fluorescent yellow-green, or a combination of the two as de-fined in the ANSI standard. The retroreflective material shall be orange,yellow, white, silver, yellow-green, or a fluorescent version of these colors,and shall be visible at a minimum distance of 1,000 feet. The retroreflec-tive safety apparel shall be designed to clearly identify the wearer as a per-son.”

Providing Class 2 or 3 safety vests to all employees required to workin or around a roadway is an important step in protecting them.

Payment for protective equipmentThe employer is required to pay for certain types of personal protec-tive equipment. However, the employer is not required to pay fornon-specialty safety-toe protective footwear (including steel-toeshoes or steel-toe boots) and non-specialty prescription safety eye-wear, provided that the employer permits such items to be worn offthe job.

When the employer provides metatarsal guards and allows theemployee, at his or her request, to use shoes or boots with built-inmetatarsal protection, the employer is not required to reimburse theemployee for the shoes or boots.



Winter’s Hazards

The employer is not required to pay for:• Everyday clothing, such as long-sleeve shirts, long pants, street shoes,and normal work boots; or• Ordinary clothing, skin creams, or other items, used solely for protec-tion from weather, such as winter coats, jackets, gloves, parkas, rubberboots, hats, raincoats, ordinary sunglasses, and sunscreen.

The above indicates that you do not have to pay for heavy outerwearsuch as cold-weather jackets. However, since your employees may beworking on or near roadways, they may be exposed to struck-by acci-dents. If this is the case, your hazard assessment would have indicatedthat and you would have to provide some type of appropriate high-visibilitysafety apparel.

Personal protective equipment/clothing checklistUse the following checklist to help determine if you are in compliance withOSHA’s requirements:

• Have you determined whether hazards that require the use of PPE(e.g., head, eye, face, hand, or foot protection) are present or are likelyto be present?

• If hazards or the likelihood of hazards are found, have you selectedappropriate and properly fitted PPE suitable for protection from

these hazards and do you ensure that affected employees use it?

• Have employees been trained on PPE procedures, i.e., what PPE isnecessary for job tasks, when workers need it, and how to properlywear and adjust it?

•Are protective goggles or face shields provided and worn where thereis any danger of flying particles or corrosive materials?

• Are approved safety glasses required to be worn at all times in areaswhere there is a risk of eye injuries such as punctures, abrasions, contu-sions, or burns?

• Are employees who wear corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) inworkplaces with harmful exposures required to wear only approvedsafety glasses, protective goggles, or use other medically approvedprecautionary procedures?

• Are protective gloves, aprons, shields, or other means provided and re-quired where employees could be cut or where there is reasonably an-ticipated exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials? Seethe OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030(b), forthe definition of “other potentially infectious materials.”


• Are hard hats required, provided, and worn wherethe danger of falling objects exists?

• Are hard hats periodically in-spected for damage to theshell and suspension sys-tem?

• Is appropriate foot pro-tection required wherethere is the risk of footinjuries from hot, corro-sive, or poisonous substances,falling objects, crushing, or penetrat-ing actions?

• Are approved respirators providedwhen needed?

• Is all PPE maintained in a sanitary condition and ready for use?

• Are foods or beverages consumed only in areas where there isno exposure to toxic material, blood, or other potentially infec-tious materials?

• Is protection against the effects of occupational noise providedwhen sound levels exceed those of the OSHA noise standard?

• Are adequate work procedures, PPE, and other equip-ment provided and used when cleaning up spilled haz-ardous materials?

• Are appropriate procedures in place to dispose of ordecontaminate PPE contaminated with, or reason-ably anticipated to be contaminated with, blood or

other potentially infectious materials?

Final thoughtTow professionals are responsible for protecting their workers fromhazards, and when necessary, provide the proper PPE that employ-ees need to stay safe. TOW

Mark H. Stromme Workplace Safety Editor with J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc.3003 Breezewood Ln, | Neenah, WI 54957(920) 722-2848Email: [email protected] www.jjkeller.com



Winter’s Hazards


QualityDriven by our quality policy that “We will achieve customer satisfaction bycontinually improving processes and products to ensure they meet or ex-ceed internal and external customer requirements,” NASCO manufac-tures the highest quality products available. From digitally masteredpatterns to computerized assembly techniques, NASCO engineers madein USA quality into every garment.

SafetyNASCO understands outerwear plays a significant role in workplacesafety. Whether you need protection from an electric arc, a flash fire, achemical splash, a road-side traffic hazard or simply foul weather, NASCOproducts are tested to the most current and stringent safety standardsavailable.

ComfortNASCO understands that a balance must be struck between safety andcomfort. You need not sacrifice one for the other any longer. NASCO’smission is to maximize safety, comfort and functionality of our rainwear.Waterproof, breathable and safe protective outerwear solutions are nowavailable.

InnovationNASCO understands that solutions are derived from innovation. Tech-nologies continue to advance, making materials safer, lighter, strongerand more comfortable. Change must be constant. It is the NASCO mis-sion to convert these advancements in materials into protective outer-wear solutions for today’s workforce.

Our CommitmentNASCO customers should expect:• Accurate, on-time delivery• Respectful, courteous customer service• A quality domestic product covered by a guarantee of complete atisfaction• Access to industry expertise and expert problem solving knowledge• Quality, innovative protective outerwear solutions TOW

www.nascoinc.com 800-767-4288

The NASCO VisionCOMPANY

SPOTLIGHT

The world's most powerful24-VDC electric impactwrench is now shippingfrom Jiffyjump.com.

The DC-Matic Model900's patent pending tech-nology produces outstand-ing performance that hasnever been achieved in a di-rect current powered im-

pact wrench.With no need for compressed air, the DC-Matic is a safer, more

convenient and more effective way to remove even stubborn lugsfrom wheels.

"For all day performance, it can be powered from our existingJiffyJump starters," says Powerhouse Industries president, WilliamGuditus. "Frankly, this is a game-changer."

For more details and to purchase, visitwww.jiffyjump.comor call (631) 325-5555.

DC Matic Edit here

The All American tm Reach-It Set gives you the versatility needed forunlocking cars quickly.

These long-reach tools, paired with our Inflatable Wedge($27.95), provide the safest form of damage-free auto entry.

The All American tm Reach-It Set comes in 3 differing lengths(58", 44" and 40"), in Red, White & Blue, and is offered at a very pa-triotic price.

www.nextgentool.com800-874-5625

HOOKEDUPProfessionalYour Resource for Towing & Recovery

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The All American tm Reach-It Set



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Aldridge Insuranceis a specializedagency focused onTowing, Reposses-sion, Repair, andmany other auto re-lated businesses.We concentrate onservice & coverage for our customers, and that’s what keeps you moving. We canmeet all Federal, State, and Contract insurance requirements you come across inyour business with the 20+ companies we represent. It is our goal to help offer youpeace of mind and that is priceless!

Chase AldridgeAldridge Insurance, LLC specializing in Automotive & Towing Insurance404 W. Fairview St.Troy, AL 36081

334-566-0051: Office www.AldridgeIns.net334-566-0071: Fax www.facebook.com/TowTruckInsurance334-372-7006: Cell www.facebook.com/RepoInsurance

Aldridge Insurance Agency

You’re going to have to take a second look when you seethese Wheel Simulators. Officially Licensed, sporting eitherChevy or GMC logos, they are designed for a Perfect Fit andare available in either Polished Stainless or the latest offeringof Chrome Plated Stainless Steel, giving consumers theChrome Plated look only wheels could deliver until now.What’s better is that they have the durability of Stainless Steelthat everyone has grown to love. Available in 16”, 17”, 19.5”,and 22.5” and offer a full limited Lifetime Warranty.

www.WheelCovers.com

Officially Licensed Chevroletand GMC Wheel Simulators


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In keeping to their mantra of continuous improvement, TowMatehas added some pizazz to their wireless tow lights with end mark-ers. New models will feature a slightly see through end cap withthe marker light installed behind it, thus illuminating the entire endof the light as opposed to simply a ¾” light as used in the past.Functionally, the light has not changed; however, they sure lookcool!

www.towmate.com Ph: (800) 680-4455

AllWik Economy Spill Kit – 84264The AllWik EconomySpill Kit is affordable,portable and conven-ient. Easily store inyour truck in case ofsmall oil-, water-basedand chemical spillemergencies. Thishandy kit includeseverything you needto absorb up to 5 gal-lons of liquid: (10)15”L x 19”W pads,(2) 4’L x 3” dia. socks,(1) pair nitrile gloves,(1) disposal bag, (1)instruction sheet and (1) Hi-vis yellow PVC bag. Weighs 4 lb.

(800) 243-3194www.awdirect.com

TowMate adds “WOW” factor towireless lights with end markers

(BCA21 pictured above with new “glowing” end caps)


Showa® Hi-Vis Nitrile Gloves – NGL and NGO

These bright, med-ical-grade ShowaJ Hi-Vis Nitrile Gloves areperfect for jobs wherevisibility or color cod-ing are critical. Accel-erator-, powder- andlatex-free. NGL is 4-mil nitrile, comes inlime green and meas-ures 9-1/2”L. Avail-able in sizes S–XL.FDA Class 1 compli-ant. NGO is 5-mil ni-

trile, comes in orange and measures 10-1/2”L. Available in sizes S–2XL. Both are soldin a box of 100 gloves.

(800) 243-3194www.awdirect.com

RMI-25 cleans the

entire cooling sys-

tem, removing all

mineral deposits

while you drive.

Not only does RMI-

25 clean the sys-

tem, it conditions the coolant to inhibit rust and

corrosion, maintaining your cooling system in

peak condition. With the cooling system re-

stored to design specifications, your engine

will run cooler and last longer. Forget about re-

placing your water pump; RMI-25 provides

needed lubrication for water pump bearings

and seals.

Call 800-661-7242

Or Visit: www.RMISource.com

Ask for fleet wholesale pricing.

RMI SOURCE



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open line just like on a regular tele-phone within a 400-yard range. Allstandard COMSTAR systems includeup to 8 self contained wireless head-sets and a simple portable centralizedsignal relay. The System operateswithout belt pack transceivers or ex-ternal antennas.

Now, for those Tow professionalsthat require a larger talk-net, COM-STAR systems are available with ex-panded capacity of up to 16 headsetsso that all users that can communicate simultaneously in full duplex mode. • Instant setup – No remote antenna required.• Lithium Batteries have run time of 10 hours, fresh batteries field replaceable.• Packed in a hard plastic weatherproof case (incl.) with custom foam.

For more information, contact:Eartec Co. Inc.(800) 399-5994 | [email protected] | www.eartec.com

COMSTAR Wireless Capability Expanded to 16Users

BA ProductsDue to changes in modern vehicledesign, we at B/A Products haveseen the possibilities for damage in-crease that can be caused by thehook of the winch line coming intocontact with delicate componentsof a towed vehicle; bumpers, spoilers, oil pans and the like. Due to the relationship of the legs ofa V chain or V strap and the pear or round link that joins them in the middle, the winch line hookis forced into a vertical plane, sometimes causing damage to the towed vehicle.

B/A Products Co. saw the problem and has redesigned with an inno-vative, PATENT PENDING solution! By adding an OBLONG LINK, the hookof the winch line is now in a horizontal plane with the tip of the hookpointed away from components that could otherwise be damaged.

AVAILABLE THROUGH B/A PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTORS WORLDWIDE

B/A Products Co. | 8925 Mcgaw Court | Columbia, MD 21045www.baprod.com | (800) 327-3301


Eye3Data announces the addition of two new dual view cam-eras to its state-of-the art-camera collection. The Dual View Cube Camera and the Dual Rearview Camera are

highly developed and versatile cameras that offer professional qual-ity video and audio with built in microphone. Each comes with itsown unique design. The unique design of the Dual View Cube Camera has 2 built in

cameras with microphone in one unit that record professional qual-ity audio and video inside and outside the cab. The Dual RearviewCamera has two built in cameras with microphone that recordhigh-quality audio and video inside and outside the cab. The 2 in 1camera system eliminates the need to purchase two separate cam-eras.The smarter and sleeker design of the new cameras allows for

simple and easy installation. As a special offer for our Tow Professional readers, receive a free

Dual View Camera with a purchase of a Mobile Video RecordingSystem. Mention Promo Code TowPro314 when placing yourorder.

Eye3Datawww.eye3data.com888-777-9059

Eye3Data Adds Two New Dual View Cameras


DealerPlace


DealerPlace

MarketPlace


MarketPlace


MarketPlace


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Aldridge Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47Alexander Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21American Safety & Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39AmeriDeck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46Amsoil Synthetic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40Austin Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41B/A Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11, 46Beacon Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40, 46Best Insurance Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47Bowers Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46Boxes 4 U/ Crashfilm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47BudgetGPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47Collins Dollies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41Custer Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5CW Mill Equipment Company . . . . . . . . . . . . .43Detroit Wrecker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Direct Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46DJ and Dan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34Dynamic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IBCEartec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35ECM Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35Eye3 Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47Flash Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3FlowStop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31Gaither Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Glenn's Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44Hazmat Responder Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Hino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BCHolly's Message Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36Hubcaps Unlimited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46I Tow In, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43IAA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22Industrial Netting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46Intek Truck & Equipment Leasing . . . . . . . . . . .45International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame &Museum / Wall of the Fallen . . . . . . . . . . . .24, 25Jerr-Dan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Keystone Tape and Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30Larson Electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42LDC Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47Lift and Tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27Lodar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47Loganville Ford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44Mfr. Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18Miti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47Mobile Awareness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30NASCO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33NationWide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45New Pig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29Next Generatioin Tool Company . . . . . . . . . .45

Pillow Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47Powerbilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37Powerhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39Ram Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Recovery Billing Unlimited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Recovery Consulting Services . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Rick's Auto Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44Robert Young's Wrecker Sales & Service . . . .44Rugged Tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23RV Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47S&J Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38Slick Top Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47Steck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28sureFleet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47TL Lifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45TomTom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48TowBook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Towmate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IFCTowRamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Tracker Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Triple K Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36Worksafe USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38Worldwide Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45Zacklift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

COMPANY PG COMPANY PG COMPANY PGADVERTISERINDEX

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Documents

Tow professional issue 2, 2014