The Equipment Needed for Secure Loading
When you’re aiming to run a safe and efficient transport fleet, abiding by the rules as they relate to securing loads is exceptionally important. This starts by knowing the how to use the best equipment for the job, which then allows you to create a company structure in which all your loads go out of the yard safely.
This article follows our previous one about load securing rules and it looks in detail at the types of gear that used and how to stay on the right side of the law.
Essential Loading Equipment
So, now we offer a rundown of the loading equipment that your loading crews and drivers shouldn’t be without. They include:
Ratchet Straps
These straps are known for being easy to use and extremely robust, making them the go-to choice for truck operators across the world. Employing a simple tightening mechanism that makes securing loads fast and easy, they ensure minimal movement when in transit. Cam buckle straps are similar to ratchet straps, but designed for use with lighter loads.
Load Chains
When a truck is carrying a robust or heavy load (such as machinery), there’s no more reliable option than durable load chains.
Binders
Used in conjunction with chains and helping to tighten them, they ensure a snug fit and keep the load tight and secure.
Wooden or Plastic Blocks
Like chocks for a plane, wooden or plastic blocks prevent lateral shifting.
Bracing Rods
These rods offer additional support for loads, minimising the chances of shifting. They’re particularly useful when curtain-sided trucks are being used.
Tarps and Covers
Serving a dual purpose, tarps and covers provide load protection against bad weather while also offering an extra layer of security.
Edge Protectors
Helping to protect both the load and securing equipment from damage, edge protectors distribute pressure. This is crucial when securing delicate or fragile cargoes.
Dunnage
Using consisting of loose materials (e.g. pieces of wood), dunnage protects the load by filling in empty spaces that could lead to lateral shifting. It also acts as cushioning against vibration and impacts.
Understanding The Different Load Types
The type of equipment you use will be determined by the kind of load that needs to be secured. Each one presents its own set of unique challenges, so it’s important to be aware of every possibility.
- General cargo can usually be secured using a combination of straps, blocking and bracing to minimise movement and provide a nice, snug fit.
- Heavy machinery calls for chains and binders, as the sheer size and weight means that other options are not sufficiently robust.
- Long items like timber and pipes might require special racks or bolsters to keep them secure and immobile in transit.
- Hazardous materials often need additional measures to be used to make sure that a safe and compliant solution is employed.
Choosing the Right Equipment & Maintaining It
Factors that will guide your choice of securing equipment include the load type, as well as its weight and size. Also, you have to consider the duration of the journey and the conditions you might face in order to the select the right option.
Your securing equipment gets put through a lot, so you must regularly inspect it for any signs of damage, tear and wear that might compromise its effectiveness. Should you discover any that’s worn out, it should be promptly replaced.
Training & Compliance
Everyone who may be involved in loading must go through comprehensive training to learn how to use all types of securing gear. It should be repeated on a regular basis, to serve as a refresher and to keep everyone updated on any new equipment that’s come out or regulations that have been introduced.
All of your equipment inspections, maintenance and training need to be meticulously documented in order to demonstrate compliance for audit purposes. This documentation also helps you understand how well your current securement process are working and where they might be improved.
Preparing for Specialised Loads
As you’ll find out by reading our “Handling Specialised Loads: Compliance and Securement Techniques” article, specialised cargoes often require you to have additional knowledge and be in possession of extra equipment. In that article, we explore this subject in greater detail, preparing you for any type of load you might come across.
Having the Right Equipment & Knowing How to Use It
The secret of effective and safe load securing is blend of having the right equipment and the knowledge of how and when it’s used. When you invest in quality equipment and back that up with regular maintenance and training, you lay down a solid foundation for your load securement processes.
In our next topic, we cover specialised loads, something that’s also helped by having a comprehensive knowledge of equipment and tools used for loading.
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