Every day, America’s truck transportation industry keeps the economy moving—but at a steep human cost. In 2023, transportation and material moving occupations accounted for 30% of all occupational fatalities in Pennsylvania alone (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics). Nationally, large trucks were involved in 5,340 fatal crashes in 2021, with a sobering 4.0 non-fatal injury rate per 100 full-time workers—well above the national average (Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration).

Behind these numbers are real people—drivers, dockworkers, mechanics—who face preventable hazards every shift. The most common injuries in truck transportation are not just statistics: slips and falls on icy steps, crushing incidents during loading, pedestrians struck by moving vehicles, and serious injuries from falling cargo. These are not freak accidents. They are patterns, repeating because of operational pressures, behavioral shortcuts, and missed warning signs.

The solution? A comprehensive safety approach that blends proven protocols with modern technology. Today, AI-powered video intelligence offers a direct, real-time line of sight into high-risk situations—giving frontline teams the insights they need to prevent tragedies before they happen.

The Cost of Safety Negligence in Truck Transportation

Even a single lapse in safety can carry a heavy price. In 2024, OSHA penalties in truck transportation ranged from $75 up to a staggering $57,700, with an average penalty of $9,110 and a median of $5,839. Proactive safety systems, supported by real-time monitoring and clear protocols, put the power to prevent these incidents back in your hands.

The Top 5 Preventable Injuries in Truck Transportation: What Every Fleet Needs to Know

1. Slips, Trips, and Falls

Scenario: A driver exits his cab on a rainy morning, stepping down onto the metal truck step—only to slip and fall, breaking his ankle. In another case, a worker loses footing on an icy dock ramp and tumbles, sustaining a head injury.

Root Causes & Impact: Slips and falls remain the leading cause of injury in truck transportation, accounting for 16.5% of fatalities (Source: OSHA Incident Investigation Database). Icy trailer floors, wet steps, and uneven surfaces are key culprits. Operational factors—like nighttime loading in bad weather—increase fall risk by 300%. Alarmingly, 61% of drivers skip three-point contact protocols when rushing to meet deadlines (Source: OSHA Incident Investigation Database).

How video intelligence helps: AI-powered video monitoring can instantly surface slip-and-fall incidents, flag high-risk areas (like icy docks), and provide visual proof for root cause analysis. Reviewing footage helps identify repeated hazards—slippery spots, obstructed walkways, or missed handhold use—empowering teams to take targeted action.

2. Struck-By/Crushed-By Vehicle Incidents

Scenario: A warehouse spotter is guiding a trailer into a dock, unaware that the driver can’t see him. In seconds, he’s pinned between the trailer and the dock wall. Elsewhere, a forklift reverses into a pedestrian crossing an unmarked path.

Root Causes & Impact: Transportation incidents drive over 40% of fatalities in truck transportation (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics). Human error—like drivers exceeding speed limits or skipping visual checks—plays a role in 87% of crashes (Source: FMCSA Crash Causation Study). Failure to separate pedestrian and vehicle zones, blind spots, and rushed operations are recurring themes.

How video intelligence helps: AI video systems detect when pedestrians enter high-risk vehicle zones or when spotters and operators are out of position. Real-time alerts give drivers and supervisors the heads-up they need to prevent tragedy. Video review supports safety training by showing exactly how near-misses and collisions unfold.

3. Struck By Falling or Shifting Cargo

Scenario: A dockworker opens a trailer door without checking load securement. The cargo, loosened during transit, falls and strikes the worker, resulting in serious injury.

Root Causes & Impact: Loading/unloading injuries make up 26% of all truck transportation incidents (Source: Mutua Universal Observatory Report). Faulty cargo securement, hurried checks, and improper use of restraint systems are frequent contributors. Dock audits found missing or malfunctioning trailer locks in 17% of terminals (Source: National Safety Council Dock Injury Report).

How video intelligence helps: Video analytics flag unsafe cargo handling—like workers entering a trailer before securement is verified or bypassing dock lock procedures. Incident footage helps safety teams spot patterns (e.g., repeated bypassing of safety interlocks) and refine training and enforcement.

4. Falls from Elevation (Ladders, Trailers, Tanks)

Scenario: A mechanic climbs atop a tanker trailer to inspect a hatch, without using fall protection. The railing fails, and he falls over 10 feet onto concrete, sustaining fatal injuries.

Root Causes & Impact: Falls from elevation are among the most severe, often fatal, injuries. OSHA data shows that improper use or absence of fall protection is a factor in many falls from trailers, ladders, and tanks (Source: OSHA Injury Summary). Night and inclement weather shift work further amplifies the danger.

How video intelligence helps: AI video solutions can automatically detect when workers access elevated areas and whether fall protection is in place, supporting compliance and real-time intervention. Reviewing incident footage clarifies how and why falls occurred, guiding targeted prevention.

5. Forklift and Powered Industrial Truck Incidents

Scenario: A forklift operator, distracted by a radio call, reverses into a pedestrian on the warehouse floor. In another case, a driver fails to wear a seatbelt, is ejected during a tip-over, and suffers fatal injuries.

Root Causes & Impact: Forklifts are involved in a significant number of struck-by and caught-in incidents. Common factors include operator distraction, lack of pedestrian separation, missed seatbelt use, and failure to follow safe operation rules. In 2024, a fatal incident occurred when a powered industrial vehicle flipped, and the operator—unbelted—was killed (Source: OSHA Penalty Details).

How video intelligence helps: Video analytics can flag unsafe forklift behaviors—speeding, improper reversing, missing seatbelts, and pedestrians in vehicle zones. Real-time alerts enable supervisors to intervene before an incident occurs. Video evidence also supports operator coaching and accountability.

Challenges and Impact of the Injuries

How Technology Strengthens Injury Prevention

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Safety challenge: Slippery surfaces and rushed behaviors make falls a daily risk, especially around docks, trailers, and steps.

Tech Solution: Video intelligence platforms monitor high-traffic areas and instantly surface fall incidents. Safety teams can review where and why slips happen, flag recurring hazards (like icy ramps), and adjust cleaning or de-icing schedules accordingly. AI detection of missed three-point contact protocols supports real-time coaching and compliance.

Struck-By/Crushed-By Vehicle Incidents

Safety challenge: Blind spots and mixed-use zones make it hard to prevent deadly vehicle-pedestrian encounters.

Tech Solution: AI-powered cameras can detect when people enter danger zones near moving trucks or forklifts. Real-time alerts notify both drivers and supervisors, providing precious seconds to prevent a tragedy. Post-incident video is a powerful tool for retraining and revising traffic patterns.

Struck By Falling or Shifting Cargo

Safety challenge: Cargo that shifts or falls during unloading puts workers at serious risk—especially if protocols are skipped.

Tech Solution: Video review helps trace whether cargo securement checks were completed and if dock locks were used. With AI, unsafe behaviors—like opening trailer doors without verifying securement—can trigger alerts. This supports both prevention and after-action analysis for continuous improvement.

Falls from Elevation

Safety challenge: Work at height is unavoidable in maintenance and inspection, but one missed step—or missing fall protection—can be fatal.

Tech Solution: AI video can verify that workers use fall protection when required, and alert supervisors if protocols are bypassed. Cameras document whether guardrails are intact and help pinpoint environmental factors (e.g., wind, rain) that may have contributed to a fall. This data guides both training and equipment upgrades.

Forklift and Powered Industrial Truck Incidents

Safety challenge: Operator distraction, missed seatbelt use, and poor separation from pedestrians drive serious injuries.

Tech Solution: AI video systems flag unsafe forklift operation, detect missing seatbelt use, and monitor for pedestrians in vehicle lanes. Real-time alerts allow for immediate intervention. Reviewing near-misses helps refine traffic flows and reinforce best practices in operator training.

Practical Implementation of Safety Technology

Bringing advanced safety technology into a truck transportation environment is about more than just installing cameras. The most effective programs start with a clear understanding of your highest-risk areas—docks, warehouses, yards, and vehicle paths.

Modern video platforms like Spot AI are designed to work with your existing camera infrastructure—old or new. Plug-and-play hardware bridges local cameras to a secure, cloud-native dashboard. Unlimited user seats and unified dashboards make it easy for safety, IT, and operations teams to collaborate.

• Integrate video intelligence into your existing safety program. Use AI analytics to enrich, not replace, human-led safety audits and training.

• Customize alerts and monitoring for your unique workflows. Focus on your biggest risk zones and operational pain points.

• Engage frontline teams. Share video insights to foster buy-in and create a culture where everyone feels responsible for safety.

When evaluating solutions, look for platforms that support open APIs, easy integration, and detailed analytics—so your safety data works for you.

Ready to Take the Next Step in Truck Transportation Safety?

Preventing injuries in truck transportation isn’t about luck—it’s about systems, vigilance, and the right tools. Video intelligence empowers you to see risk in real time, verify compliance, and make data-driven improvements that protect your people and your business. Want to see how AI-powered video can fit into your safety strategy? Book a safety consultation with our team and discover how to make your operation safer, smarter, and more resilient: book a consultation.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common preventable injuries in truck transportation?

The top preventable injuries include slips, trips, and falls; struck-by or crushed-by vehicle incidents; injuries from falling or shifting cargo; falls from elevation; and forklift or powered industrial truck incidents. Each of these has clear prevention strategies that combine strong protocols and technology support.

How can video intelligence help prevent slips and falls on the job?

Video analytics can monitor high-risk areas, detect hazardous conditions (like wet or icy surfaces), and review incidents to identify root causes. This empowers teams to act quickly and make targeted improvements to walking surfaces, signage, and training.

What should I look for in a safety technology solution for my trucking operation?

Look for easy integration with your existing infrastructure, real-time alerting, cloud access, and the ability to monitor multiple risk factors (such as compliance with PPE, fall protection use, and forklift safety). Platforms like Spot AI offer unified dashboards and open APIs for flexible deployment.

Can AI cameras work with my existing security camera system?

Yes. Modern video intelligence platforms like Spot AI are designed to work with both new and legacy cameras, enabling you to get more value from your current hardware without costly replacements.

About the author

Joshua Foster
‍IT Systems Engineer, Spot AI

‍Joshua Foster is an IT Systems Engineer at Spot AI, where he focuses on designing and securing scalable enterprise networks, managing cloud-integrated infrastructure, and automating system workflows to enhance operational efficiency. He is passionate about cross-functional collaboration and takes pride in delivering robust technical solutions that empower both the Spot AI team and its customers.