Loading and unloading a truck are dangerous operations that must follow a certain procedure. Indeed, for the safety of the driver, the environment and the goods, they must take place in good conditions. What are the steps to follow? How do you load and unload a truck efficiently? What is the truck loading and unloading procedure? All the details in this article.
Loading a truck is not the same as loading a personal vehicle. Indeed, it is not enough to put the luggage in the trunk and then close it. Several steps must be carried out as part of the procedure for loading and unloading a truck in order to avoid incidents and accidents. First and foremost, the procedure recommends that the cargo (loading and securing) be checked by qualified personnel before the vehicle leaves.
Before loading the goods, the truck must be checked carefully to ensure that the truck's safety components are in optimal working condition. For this purpose, several points are checked:
In addition to the truck, papers and other permits must also be checked to ensure that the truck is in good standing. The information to be verified includes the name of the sender, the name of the recipient and the nature of the goods to be transported.
Indeed, the balance of the truck is important in order to avoid accidents. For this, several rules must be respected.
This parameter is particularly important. And for good reason, a poor distribution of the products transported unbalances the truck. When it is in a bend and traveling at a certain speed, the truck may tilt or even overturn. In addition, this accelerates the wear of certain components of the vehicle (tires, suspensions, body, plate, etc.). Not to mention the possible damage that could be caused to users of the road, infrastructure, etc. As a result, the weight of the goods must be evenly and correctly distributed. For this:
Partial unloading during the journey moves the truck's center of gravity and upsets its balance. The load must therefore be redistributed at each operation in order to ensure that the masses remain well distributed. The aim of the truck loading and unloading procedure is to ensure that the truck's center of gravity is as low as possible. This, throughout the duration of the trip.
No load should overflow the truck, either on the sides or at the back, let alone on the height. In principle, the load must comply with the following rules in accordance with the Highway Code:
In the event of non-compliance with these standards, the transport is requalified as an exceptional convoy. In this case, a specific authorization must be requested from the Ministry of Transport. Otherwise, the transport company risks paying a fine. Moreover, if the load is protected by a tarpaulin, it must be securely fastened and not exceed the load. In addition, it must be airtight in order to avoid air intakes that may unbalance the truck.
Docking is a method that allows keep the load intact despite the conditions on the road, namely:
There are several docking solutions:
These various methods can also be combined. The choice will depend on the characteristics of the load. The aim is to ensure that goods do not move and fall out of the vehicle. Generally, docking is the most used method. The cargo must be secured on all sides to avoid overflows. If the goods have sharp corners, the cables or straps should not be too tight so that they do not deteriorate during the journey. In addition, remember to protect the sharp corners with brackets or sheaths. If the method used is blocking, filling equipment must be used to fill the empty spaces. For example pallets, boxes, etc.Finally, for the transport of bulk products, tarpaulin is the recommended stowage method.
💛 Learn more : Find out in detail how to insure securing trucks and guaranteeing safety.
The procedure for unloading a truck is also regulated. In fact:
If the total weight of the goods Is greater than 3 tons, unloading is under the responsibility of the recipient. After the vehicle has been prepared by the driver (opening the doors, uncovering, etc.), the recipient's team carries out the actual unloading.
Heavy truck transport opens up multiple professional opportunities. However, obtaining this permit requires preparation and strict procedures. What are they? How much does this permit cost? Are there financing solutions? Find out everything you need to know in this dedicated guide.
