PestSure Loss Lessons A Close Call: The Cost of an Unsecured Load

It only takes a moment of distraction for something to go wrong and in this case, that moment could have caused a serious accident.

A pest management technician shared a story that’s worth every technician and safety manager’s attention. After completing work under the eaves of a customer’s home, he carried his ladder back to his truck and placed it on the rails to secure it for the drive. Before he could finish tying it down, the customer called him over to discuss another pest issue behind the house.

After inspecting the shed and completing an additional service, the technician packed up, thanked the customer, and drove away. About six blocks later, as he accelerated onto the freeway ramp, he heard a sharp scraping noise. His ladder had slid off the truck. Fortunately, no vehicles were behind him, and the ladder tumbled harmlessly to the shoulder. The technician immediately pulled over and retrieved it.

No one was hurt. The only damage was a dented ladder, but the technician knew how differently this story could have ended.

If a motorcyclist had been behind him, or if he had been driving at full freeway speed, the result could have been catastrophic. The technician’s candor in sharing his experience is a reminder that small lapses can lead to major risks and that safety requires attention, even in familiar situations.

Breaking Down What Went Wrong

The problem wasn’t carelessness, it was distraction. The technician had every intention of securing his equipment but was interrupted mid-task. When the conversation with the homeowner extended, that small but critical step was forgotten.

This kind of “near miss” is common in the field. Technicians juggle multiple responsibilities - solving pest issues, engaging with customers, documenting services, and managing tools and materials. With so many competing priorities, it’s easy for routine safety steps to fall through the cracks.

Takeaway Lessons Learned

To help prevent similar incidents, every technician and service manager should emphasize three key habits:

• 1. Create a checklist and use it every time.
  Develop a written or mental checklist for arrival and departure. Before leaving any job site, confirm that ladders, sprayers, and other tools are properly stowed and secured. A 10-second check can prevent a lifetime of regret.
• 2. Finish one task before starting another.
  Whenever possible, complete what you’re doing before responding to a customer, text, or radio call. Politely let the customer know you’ll assist them in just a moment,  once your equipment is safely secured.
• 3. Inspect before you drive.
  Before moving your vehicle, take a quick 360-degree walk-around. Make sure all doors, tailgates, and compartments are closed and locked. Confirm that nothing is left on the roof or bumper and that your load is properly strapped down.

Turning a Near Miss into a Teaching Moment

The best part of this story is that the technician shared it. These open conversations are critical to building a strong safety culture. “Near misses” are valuable learning tools since  they expose hidden risks and give teams a chance to strengthen procedures before real damage occurs.

As this technician put it, “A dented ladder was a lucky outcome. Most of us wouldn’t be this fortunate.”

Take this story back to your next team meeting. Review your own arrival and departure checklists. Encourage your technicians to talk openly about distractions, shortcuts, and moments when they’ve caught themselves making assumptions.

Safety isn’t just about compliance, it’s about consistency, focus, and learning from each other.

PestSure is proud to share these real-world lessons to help protect pest management professionals, their companies, and their communities. A few extra minutes of attention can make all the difference between a safe day on the job and a costly mistake.

PestSure – Your Partner in Safety

Founded in 1980, PestSure is the only insurance and risk management provider that is 100 percent dedicated to the pest management industry. It offers industry professionals a full suite of insurance, risk management, and safety training and education offerings.

PestSure provides insurance, safety, and risk management consulting to pest management companies representing $2 billion in revenue, $400 million in payroll, and more than 13,000 service vehicles. The program is administered by Alliant Insurance Services.