According to a recent study, unsecured or improperly secured cargo costs the U.S. freight industry hundreds of millions of dollars per year and as much as $50B globally. This makes the issue one of the largest preventable problems in transportation today. A few extra minutes can save you and your company a lot of money on freight claims, damage to equipment, or better yet could potentially save lives.
In the worst-case scenario, an unbalanced or improperly secured shipment can shift, leading a truck to become unstable, jackknife, even tip-over. Drivers have to be ever vigilant and observe the loading process to ensure that shipments are loaded and secured properly. Once you close the doors and leave the shipper, you are responsible for delivering the shipment in the same condition in which it was loaded.
Here are a few pointers to get you and your freight to your destination safely:
- Make sure you have the right equipment and enough restraints to haul the freight safely.
- Are your restraints in proper working order? Do your straps have rips or tears? Is the load bar bent or is the chain stretched? Never use restraints that you know are damaged or defective.
- Inspect the trailer decking and restraint mounting points often. A loose deck board or a bent E-track that allows the strap to pop out can cause freight to shift.
- If you suspect that a load has shifted or become unsecured, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and check the shipment. Re-secure as needed. if necessary, before continuing on to your destination.
So, drive safe and take a little time to ensure you’re not overlooking the best method to secure those shipments.