One of the most critical aspects of transportation is ensuring the safety of both the products being transported and the people involved with that process. Professional packaging protects items from damage, helps prevent accidents and is necessary in order to be compliant with regulations. Well-organized cargo can also help to maximize space, increase efficiency, and help meet delivery deadlines.
Proper Packaging and Securing of Materials
How cargo is packed and stored is an important step in the transportation process. For instance, plastic pallets are an excellent way to protect a wide array of items, as they provide stable and safe packaging, along with having a high-loading capacity and being resistant to humidity and corrosion. Conversely, wooden pallets may be more appropriate in certain situations, particularly for one-way transportation, due to their strength and durability.
In addition to proper storing, proper packaging is also essential for each item. If an item is stored in too large a package, it can lead to damage, and if there is not enough room, the same can occur. By using the correct sized box for each product, companies can eliminate up to 50% of dunnage used.
Keep in mind that any issues related to cargo securement devices can and will be blamed on the truck driver. Always check your load again after you've driven approximately 50 miles to verify everything is safely secure, and that nothing has been dislodged during the drive.
Waterproofing
Transportation doesn’t come to a halt when the weather takes a turn. Providing some waterproofing for the cargo can be achieved by wrapping it in plastic; however, the most effective and common way to ensure safety is to cover the materials with a tarp. In fact, tarp made from 100% PVC has nearly perfect waterproofing abilities.
Strapping and Tying
Strapping or tying cargo down can help make sure nothing moves inside each box during transport. Some of the most popular straps for semi-truck drivers include:
- Ratchet strap with flat hook;
- Ratchet strap with wire hook;
- Chain anchor ratchet straps;
- Lasso straps; and
- Cam buckle straps.
Since 2004, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has implemented regulations to enhance cargo security. For instance, an item that has the potential to roll must be secured with a wedge or similar device.
Cushioning
Cushioning plays a crucial role in transportation, and can help protect items from damage. Cushioning can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Using bubble wrap or packing peanuts to surround an item is always helpful, and even placing larger items around smaller ones can provide additional support. By using biodegradable materials, your items can be kept safe without any negative impacts on the environment.
Labeling Cargo
Another essential piece of route package protection is making sure the cargo is properly labeled and affixed with packing tape. This is the best way to ensure a quick, easy unloading process. In addition, it will help the staff at the destination determine the location of each item with rapid efficiency.
Use Clear Labels
Clear labels can offer significant benefits in transportation and logistics. Not only are items with clear labeling easier to identify, they can help reduce errors during loading and unloading. A good label should provide essential information including handling instructions, tracking details, where it belongs in relation to the other items, etc. Making sure the cargo is clearly labeled can also help protect fragile or more hazardous items. The Shipping Labels Market has grown steadily, and is anticipated to increase over $550 million by 2032.
Precautionary Labels
If there are any toxic or hazardous materials on board, don't forget to label them as well. Additionally, ensure everyone who helps unload the truck is aware of these hazardous materials. Remember: workers won't always identify these crates by sight, as clear labeling is not always fool-proof. The Code of Federal Regulations provides in-depth rules for this process in Title 49.
Tracking and Documentation for Client or Customer Satisfaction
Providing real-time tracking updates to clients enables them to properly plan for delivery. Load boards are a prime option for increasing transparency. They allow the carrier to let a client know whether their cargo has shipped or not. Additionally, it will be faster and easier for them to look up the necessary information. This helps keep inventory organized, ensuring both carriers and clients can manage their operations as smoothly and efficiently as possible. In fact, one report showed that this technology can even improve job safety by up to 33%.
Detailed Packing Lists
Another important piece to put into place is providing a detailed packing list for each box. This list should be placed either inside or securely attached to the outside of the box in a readily accessible location. This will enable clients to verify that all items have safely arrived. A packing list can also serve as a safeguard in the event of claims regarding missing items. It enhances accountability and fosters trust between both parties.
Proper Handling Techniques
Providing staff with proper training for loading, unloading, and handling cargo will minimize damage and enhance safety. Take the time to make sure each staff member understands the correct methods for lifting and transporting items, especially heavy, fragile, or hazardous materials.
Handling Moving Equipment with Care
Forklifts, cranes, etc. must be handled with an abundance of care. As an example, a forklift must come to a stop approximately eight to 12 inches in front of each load. When a crane is in use, don't forget to keep the hoist chain free of twists or kinks and never allow any sudden acceleration or deceleration.
Using proper machinery, especially when dealing with heavier loads, can significantly reduce workplace injuries and boost workplace efficiency. Equipment like hand trucks and forklifts are specifically designed to handle lifting safely. However, it is important that only qualified personnel operate this machinery to ensure safety and effectiveness. The key to a safe work environment is prioritizing the right tools, and even more importantly, trained operators.
Ergonomic Lifting
Anything that will be lifted by hand must be done carefully and ergonomically. Approximately 36% of workplace injuries involve a back or shoulder injury. Use the following tips to help avoid injuries:
- Get close to the load;
- Keep your arm and elbows close to your body;
- Keep your back straight, tighten your stomach muscles and bend at your knees;
- Get a good handhold; and
- Do not twist or jerk as you lift the load.
Handling Fragile Goods
Fragile goods need to be handled with care in order to prevent damage and guarantee that all items arrive in good condition. Staff should receive thorough training in how to handle fragile goods, to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills to safely manage more delicate items.
Dangerous Goods Awareness
Before they're allowed to handle dangerous and hazardous goods, make sure all employees are HAZMAT certified. Additionally, they must understand personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines and know what to do in the event of a spill.
Best Practices for Securing Each Load
Now, let's turn our attention toward the best practices to secure each load. Following these tips will provide safer, more secure transport for every client, while also ensuring a smoother loading process. The average semi-truck drives an average of 500 miles per day, and a lot can go wrong if cargo is stored improperly.
Maximizing Space
To best maximize available space, efficient loading techniques and strategic organizational skills are essential. Not only does it increase capacity, but storing items compactly can help aid in cushioning, which we shared about earlier. Modular containers and pallets should be used to create uniformity, which allows for tighter packing. The shape and dimensions of the cargo plays an important role, and it may require creative packing solutions to fill in gaps and make sure everything is balanced and ready to endure the long road ahead.
Consider Cost Efficiency
Using plastic pallets instead of wooden pallets can increase cost efficiency. Plastic pallets can offer a 1.9% decrease in weight, which adds up once the loads become extremely heavy and can even help with fuel savings. Proper load planning is also cost efficient as it minimizes the risk of damage during transit, reducing the chance of costly claims and replacements. One study showed that shipping damages accounted for 20% of client returns. Reduced damage and accidents can decrease insurance premiums for insurance which also saves money in the long run.
Environmental Sustainability
Load planning and logistics also plays a crucial role in improving environmental sustainability. Securing cargo effectively helps items arrive safely and undamaged the first time, reducing total miles traveled and minimizing fuel consumption. Approximately 10% of each package’s carbon footprint is attributed to transportation, which can be radically reduced if loading and unloading are conducted properly the first time.
Dangers of Overloading
Overloading a vehicle, especially a large truck like an 18-wheeler, can be extremely dangerous. It actually increases the risk of traffic accidents, tire blowouts, and even rollover incidents. Maintaining an even distribution of weight across all axles is equally important. Too much weight on a single axle can lead to serious safety hazards. Ensure that the heaviest pallets are in the middle to properly balance out the weight being placed on each axle.
Distributing weight equally contributes to better fuel efficiency and helps reduce wear on the vehicle. Ultimately, a balanced load helps minimize the need for maintenance repairs, and is equally important to make transportation more cost effective.
Inventory Management
Utilizing inventory management is a proven method to ensure that the intended items are transported accurately. Offering cross-training in this technique also aids in employee retention, as 76% of employees prefer to remain in positions that provide on-site training and development opportunities.
Legal Requirements
Each state has its own specific legal requirements that must be considered before each journey. For instance, length requirements for each vehicle differs radically between most states. Other restrictions such as weight limits, how to secure cargo, hazardous material regulations, and more can differ depending which states the driver travels through. Having a plan in advance to meet these legal requirements is necessary to ensure a safe and beneficial transport.
Using Proper Packaging Techniques
Utilizing proper packaging and organization techniques results in a much more efficient process for delivery. Avoiding shortcuts is important; instead, emphasis should be placed on adhering to necessary legal requirements, strapping down and using proper cushioning on cargo, and handling the items safely and with care.
