
Flatbed Fall Protection & Tarping
Safer, More Efficient Flatbed Loading and Tarping Solutions
Fall Protection For Loading Flatbed Trailers
Loading and tarping flatbed trailers present serious safety risks for operators and drivers. Falls from flatbeds are a leading cause of workplace injuries, and OSHA mandates fall protection for employees working at heights over four feet. SafeRack offers two industry-leading solutions—RollaStep MP Mobile Platforms and SafeRack TF Tarping Systems—to eliminate fall hazards while improving efficiency. Whether you need a mobile work platform for loading or an automated tarping system to streamline the process, SafeRack’s innovative solutions provide OSHA-compliant protection while keeping operations running smoothly.

Prioritize Safety
- Truck drivers are 6 x more likely to be killed on the job
- Falls account for the majority of workplace injuries
- Rain, ice, snow, heat, wind are key safety factors
- Tarps are very heavy. Some weigh over 200 lbs.
- Even when tarping off-site, the safety of operators is still your responsibility
- Uneven and odd-shaped loads are unwieldy dangerous to tarp. (pipes, finished products, etc.)
Flatbed Fall Protection & Tarping

The Ultimate
Flatbed Tarping
System

Flatbed Tarping System
The SafeRackTF Truck Tarping System is a safety-focused solution that streamlines flatbed tarping, reduces fall risks, and can be controlled by a single operator.
Tarp Safely in 15 Minutes
The flatbed truck tarping system enables a single operator to tarp a full load in 15 minutes or less.
Designed for efficiency, SafeRackTF customizes its setup to fit specific operations, ensuring compliance and prioritizing worker safety during loading and tarping tasks.
Return On Investment
Decrease labor costs.
Reduced exposure or liability costs.
Increased shipping throughput
avoiding delays and extra charges.
User-Friendly Controls
Designed for ease of use.

Flatbed Trailer Fall Protection

MP
SERIES
Mobile Work Platforms
The MP Series combines the stability of a fixed platform with the mobility of a rolling stair. Its large platform securely supports multiple operators, equipment, and parts.
Versatile & Configurable

Optional removable handrails give the MP Series mobile platform unparalleled versatility.
Mobility

360º swiveling locking casters can be moved and securely positioned by one person.
No-flat tires roll smoothly over asphalt and gravel.
Custom Configurations Available
Made in the USA
OHSA Compliant
OSHA-Compliant Flatbed Truck Loading
Loading and unloading trucks pose significant risks to flatbed trailer drivers. When loads such as pipes, cement, sheetrock, and lumber need to be wrapped or tarped, operators are frequently responsible for tarping the load. Traditionally this requires crawling over irregular surfaces and spanning hazardous voids in uneven loads. Falls from atop those loads, which routinely reach 12 or more feet, can be fatal.

OSHA mandates that fall protection be provided for employees working at heights greater than four feet. You may be legally liable for workers on your site even if they aren’t technically employed by you. Fall protection is critical to the safety and efficiency of your business. And no one is better equipped to provide the OSHA-compliant fall protection you need than SafeRack.

Resources & Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. OSHA mandates fall protection for any work conducted at heights over four feet, including flatbed loading and tarping. SafeRack’s TF Tarping System and RollaStep MP platforms are both designed to meet these compliance standards.
The TF system eliminates the need to climb on the trailer, reducing the risk of slips, trips, and falls—especially in wet, icy, or windy conditions. It also reduces physical strain from manually handling heavy tarps.
Yes. The RollaStep MP is a fully mobile platform that can be easily repositioned as needed, offering safe, stable access across multiple flatbed locations or staging areas.
SafeRack’s solutions are ideal for irregular or heavy loads—such as pipes, lumber, or finished goods—where manual tarping or elevated access poses a significant safety risk.
Project Profiles
Customer Reviews

Very responsive. Quality… Quicker than expected. All positive.
By Eugene L. from Gencor Industries Inc.

Katie Kelly was very responsive. Katie Kelly was very responsive from the moment I sent her an order and following up with shipping information.
By Steve N. from Cypress Grove Chevre

No problem with custom dimensions. We had custom dimensions, and that was not a problem. We would have no problem dealing with SafeRack again. Rustin was very instrumental throughout this process, and the product was delivered fast.
By Wilmer S. from Minnesota Petroleumr

My salesperson was AMAZING I have nothing but good things to say about the service. It was outstanding. The sales rep responded to my inquiry immediately and answered every question I had it right away. I'm very pleased and impressed with the quality of customer service at SafeRack.
By Brian T. from Hawkins Chemical Inc.
FAQ
Other important information to consider:
Generally speaking, it takes between 45 and 75 minutes to tarp a truck. Tall loads requiring more strapping such as gypsum board, wood, or insulation will usually require more attention. Lower profile loads such as steel may take only 20-30 minutes to tarp.
Although drivers are responsible for securing and tarping loads and transporting them safely, it is the responsibility of the facility to offload the cargo at its final destination
You can drive a forklift on a flatbed, but it is not recommended as it could drive or slip off of the flatbed causing injury or death to the driver and other operators in the vicinity.
Safety Yellow is the OSHA color code for loading dock edges.
The number and condition of straps used to secure a load is a common infraction cited by enforcement officers.
Types of flatbed loading tarps
Machinery Tarps
Machinery tarps are designed for covering large irregular-sized loads and to protect manufacturing or machine equipment from weather and road vibration. Typical machine tarps are 24′ wide and 30′ long to cover a large machine with one tarp. Some have end flaps. Because it’s difficult to determine what size tarp is needed for loads, it’s often recommended to have a large rectangular tarp that can be turned sideways for different configurations.
Coil Tarps
Coil tarps are commonly used to protect cable spools and steel or aluminum coils and have a rounded top-half to be fitted over cylinder-shaped loads. The side flaps are more rectangular shaped and split in each corner allowing for the transport chain to pass through.
The are three ways that rolled steel coils are transported on flatbed trucks. Suicide, the most common way orients the flat side of the coil to the sides of the trailer. The name comes from the idea that if the coil were to break free it would roll towards the truck cab or off the back. Another method is Shotgun with the flat side of the coil facing the front and back where the coil would roll off the sides if it were to break free. Eye to the Sky means the flat sides of the spool are laid down on the flatbed with the spool hole facing the up (eye to the sky).
Steel Tarps
Steel tarps covering steel stock loads are designed to protect shorter and lower-profile loads. To cover steel loads, lumber tarps can be used in conjunction with steel-designed tarps.

Lumber Tarps
Lumber tarps commonly have flaps at each end to cover the ends of lumber and contain grommets and multiple rows of D-rings for a variety of tie-down points. Most full-size flatbed trailers will require two tarps to cover the load.
Smoke Tarps or Nose Tarp
Smoke tarps are designed to secure the front of a flatbed load and protect the load from exhaust smoke, soot, and road wear. A smoke tarp is smaller than a regular steel or lumber flatbed truck tarp and flat or fitted to cover just the top front of a load. Smoke tarps generally have a boxed-in top and are fitted to secure the tarp around the edges of the load. Flat smoke tarps are a simple rectangle that’s folded over the edges of the cargo.