The responsibility for securing transported goods so that they do not pose a threat to other road users lies with a consignor. Which security measures are commonly applied today?
Before a loaded vehicle starts its journey, it is necessary to properly secure cargo. This will determine whether the cargo poses a threat to other road users while on route and whether it reaches the location specified by the client undamaged. If you use the services of carriers, you should know that the possibility of direct or indirect (in case it is commissioned to an external entity) proper securing of goods depends on a vehicle’s equipment. By disregarding legislation in the matter you may significantly limit the carrier’s liability. As a result, you will be the only one to lose.
If you wish to transport your goods as per the applicable legislation, you must pay attention to the equipment of trucks constituting the carrier’s fleet. Here is the information on security measures most commonly used by consignors.
Transport belts – for proper securing of cargo
Transported cargo may be secured in a number of ways. Transport belts are extremely popular because they can be used for goods of all dimensions and weights. Stores offer many different types of belts and the products differ in, among others, method of lashing (e.g. one-piece and two-piece belts). A reliable carrier will offer a wide selection of transport belts to ensure proper securing of cargo.
Anti-slip mats and wooden floor – perfect for heavy cargo
Heavy cargo is usually secured with transport belts. However, such a security measure is not always enough – sometimes goods may move inside a vehicle during transport. What then? A good solution are anti-slip mats. They are made of special materials, thus preventing cargo from moving. Anti-slip mats are available in different sizes; therefore, they may be used regardless of size of the transported cargo.
Alternatively, you may purchase, e.g., a wooden floor. It may be coated with an anti-slip layer, thus ensuring that the cargo placed on it is properly secured against moving.
Pallets – for easier loading and unloading
Goods transported from a manufacturer to a warehouse are usually packed in cartons. Collective packagings are placed on pallets (carrying platforms), i.e., special, most often wooden structures, which can be carried on, e.g. forklifts. A type of pallets that should be mentioned here are certainly EUR-pallets commonly used in Europe and adjusted to all forklifts. Another type often used by carriers are industrial (ISO) pallets intended for transport of containers or CP pallets for chemical industry.
Gitterbox – perfect for small cargo
Cargo does not always consist of large goods – sometimes a carrier receives an order to transport the so called general cargo. Securing such cargo is not at all difficult – you just need gitterboxes. They are special (mesh or steel plate) containers for transported goods. Models of gitterboxes offered by producers vary in sizes and weights. The maximum usable height of containers available on the market is, e.g., 800 or 1130 mm. Additionally, some of them may be stacked.
Beams and angles – for securing cargo
The above products are not the only ones used to secure cargo. In order to, e.g., protect edges of cartons or pallets carriers use angles. They are produced in different sizes, and therefore it is possible to adjust them to dimensions of the cargo.
In order to lock the cargo loaded onto a truck, you may use special beams. This way, the goods will not move, e.g., inside a semi-trailer.
Does a driver wear protective and working clothing?
Drivers often participate in unloading and loading of a vehicle. Therefore, they need protective clothing. It is the responsibility of a carrier to provide it to an employee. A reliable transport company does not forget about the obligation– it provides both the protective and working clothing. The first one protects the clothing of an employee against soiling, whereas the second one is used when a driver may be exposed to substances that are harmful to health.