You can transport any type of load quickly and easily, thanks to modernization in the transportation industry. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that transporting loads doesn’t pose a hazard. Regardless of whatever you’re transporting and what you’re using to transport it, the process might cause injuries, death, or even damage if you don’t take security measures.
With that in mind, it’s always wise to be extra careful whenever transporting any load to avoid such issues. Regarding protecting your load and the workers, safety measures should be taken even before the move. The load must be properly loaded, secured, transported, and unloaded. Also, your driver must have experience in transporting your kind of load to deliver it to its destination safely. To help you understand how you can keep your trailer loads safe and sound, here are some tips:
1. Determine If The Restrainers Are Working Correctly
You can have a brand-new trailer without mechanical issues, adhere to the load limit, and hire a capable driver, but if the load isn’t properly and carefully restrained, you haven’t done enough to keep it safe. Using functional restraints to secure your load is vital as far as the safety of your load is concerned.
If you use worn-out straps, you may think you’ve secured the load but the probability that the straps won’t be helpful remains. However, if you use strong restraints, you’ll rest assured that the load is safe, and so are other road users and the crew transporting the load. You can also go the extra mile to invest in trailer gates for additional load security.
2. Adhere To The Trailer’s Load Limit
The first step in keeping your trailer loads safe is adhering to its load limit. Each trailer is limited to the capacity it can ferry successfully without hiccups. If you surpass the maximum weight a particular trailer can withstand, you might encounter issues during the trip. It’s therefore advisable to determine how much your truck can carry and avoid excess load to avoid valuable damage and personal injuries.
While most movers and drivers depend on their experience to determine the amount of load a particular truck can take on, this tactic might be dangerous. Instead, check on your Owner’s Manual to determine precisely the weight the trailer can carry. You can also check the load limit with the supplier and the manufacturer or hire someone to determine the load limit for you.
3. Check If Tie-Down Points And Hooks Are Within The Capacity Regulations
This measure is useful in ensuring that all parts that are supposed to secure the load are working well together. If your chain can handle about 4,000 pounds, the binder should be capable of supporting the weight. Before securing what you’re towing, ensure the load isn’t over or under what your tools can handle.
3. Work With Trained Personnel
Avoid working with non-trained personnel when loading, moving and unloading. While it might be convenient to ask for help from people around you to perform these tasks, the move will only increase the chances of accidents and damage to the load. When loading the trailer, work with individuals trained to use loading equipment. Also, the driver should be trained and experienced in operating trailers and understanding road regulations for the safety of other road users.
4. Be Keen On Center Of Gravity And Load Balance
Besides being secured, your load should be balanced. If this isn’t the case, the load might cause the trailer to tip, causing injuries and damage. It’s also vital to note that a non-balanced load can interfere with braking and steering, causing accidents. To avoid these incidents, ensure the load is balanced for a smooth move.
5. Check The Route Before Hitting The Road
After everything is settled and you’ve taken all security measures required before starting the journey, ensure to check the route one more time beforehand. With this measure, you’ll know if there are any hazards such as fallen trees, accidents, or construction along the way. The findings will help you determine whether or not to change the route or delay the journey.
Summary
The security of your trailer load depends on the security measures you put in place before and during the move. From the beginning, you should ensure that the load is properly loaded and restrained to avoid damage. Additionally, your driver must be experienced in operating trailers and in adhering to road safety to prevent accidents that might be fatal or damaging. Lastly, ensure the driver understands the route they’ll be passing through and do a final check-up to determine if there’s something that can delay or interfere with the transportation.
