On a general tanker trailer, an equipment cleaning technician has 79 steps that they must follow each time they clean a trailer.
Consider this . . . If you and I are working at a desk and we forget to send an e-mail or forget to make a phone call, it’s OK, because it can wait. However, if an equipment cleaner misses one step in the 79 steps of that procedure, these are all possible:
- someone gets injured
- a load fails to go
- a driver misses a paycheck
These consequences can be severe.
So, think about our equipment cleaning personnel. . . .
It takes a very structured person to be an equipment cleaner. It takes a precise skill set and a lot of discipline. Thanks to their effort, Highway Transport moved 36,297 pieces of equipment through our wash racks in the first nine months of 2022 alone. Out of all those pieces, there were only four recordable contaminations or rejections. That’s 99.989% accuracy.
Highway Transport service centers across the country.
Equipment Cleaning: Efficiency Saves Money
There are over 60 employees on Highway Transport’s equipment cleaning team, and there were ZERO injuries in 2022.
Keeping tank wash services in-house improves efficiency, increases capacity, and provides a positive impact to the bottom line that we can pass on to our customers.
Highway Transport Equipment Cleaning Technicians
When you think about the discipline they must have, these techs are similar to athletes, who:
- must have a clear mind before they go to work and be on their game EVERY DAY—because they cannot deviate from the 79 steps.
- work in temperature extremes, like 103° heat in the summer and below-zero temps in the winter. Sometimes when they raise the equipment door, the water on their pants turns to ice.
- are self-motivated, and they have to WANT to do the job.
- are passionate about their work, but they don’t like to be bragged on—though they deserve it!
Let’s meet a few.
Highway’s Got Talent: Meet Our Heroes
Here are just a few of the expert cleaning professionals who help keep Highway Transport tank trucks on the road, running smoothly and safely.
Walt Gamble, Equipment Cleaning Technician, Houston
After a long summer day filming scenes at Highway Transport’s Houston Service Center, Walt Gamble sang a special song for everyone, “One in a Million.” Employees gathered near the conference room to hear Walt. A couple of the new employees were in awe, as they had no idea about Walt’s talent for singing. Everyone enjoyed Walt’s special performance. Walt received Highway Transport’s 20-Year Rolex (now named “Platinum Club”) back in November 2021.
Trayvon Williams and Orrin Newman, Equipment Cleaning Technicians, Baton Rouge
Alicia Wilson, Equipment Cleaning Technician, Houston
Alicia Wilson, who was a Highway Transport driver, transferred to equipment cleaning after the birth of her son. Alicia is the Women In Trucking Member of the Month for January 2023.
Thomas Foster, Equipment Cleaning Technician, Cincinnati
Leonard Steele, Equipment Cleaning Technician, Chattanooga, with Brenda Skoda, Service Center Manager
Leonard Steele started with Highway at a very young age. His knowledge in the tank cleaning arena is highly impactful to the Chattanooga operation. We had a luncheon to celebrate Leonard’s 30 years of service, where he was presented with a gift card. Leonard is currently training and sharing his knowledge with new members on the Chattanooga team. Leonard is a fishing enthusiast and a Georgia football fan.
Brian Carter Highway Transport Equipment Cleaning Technician, Houston
John McMillan with his son. #HighwayDad
John McMillan, an equipment cleaning technician in Knoxville, has a talent for photography, and his photos have been used in many Highway Transport publications and in magazines, such as Bulldog and Bulk Transporter.
Want to be an equipment cleaning technician, or a driver for Highway Transport? Join us! Learn more and fill out an application.