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5 Tips for Effective Cargo Control and Securement

Regardless of what type of truck a driver is responsible for, a cargo securement check is necessary. Fortunately, there are many tips for effective cargo control and securement. These tips can help truck drivers get their cargo to the right location. 

Anything and everything carried on a truck must be adequately secured to prevent loss of control and falling cargo. So, for safe cargo trucking, it is crucial to understand how to avoid cargo securement violations.

Common Cargo Securement Violations

Here are some costly cargo securing errors to look out for:

Insufficient Tie-downs

Make sure you have the appropriate amount of cargo tie-downs for your load. Better still, understand all the special rules for every special purpose vehicle. You may look through the Code of Federal Regulations to make sure you are operating in compliance.

Shifting or Loss of Cargo

Ensure your cargo is properly contained to avoid spill, leak, or fall from the vehicle. To prevent shifting, avoid empty spaces when you are packing your loads, and secure your load to stabilize it.

Failure to Secure Truck Equipment

Besides securing your load, securing your truck cargo equipment is also one of the tips for effective cargo control and securement. Take the extra time to make sure anything in the trailer from brooms, dunnage, tarps, shovels are appropriately secured and won’t fall off while in your truck.

Damaged Tie-downs

Watch out also for wear and tear of chains, or cuts in tie-downs. If you see anything that looks like it might tear or break, replace it. It’s better to be safe than be sorry! If cargo tie-downs fail, the load can shift and can cause a severe accident.

Damaged Tie-downs

Loose Tie-downs

Wondering how to avoid cargo securement violations? It starts when you double, or even triple-check, your tie-downs’ security before hitting the road. Tie-down related violations are one of the top cargo securement violations. 

 

Related article: How To Secure Your Cargo Using an E-track System

 

Quick and Simple Tips for Effective Cargo Control and Securement

These are some of the dos and don’ts of cargo securement and control. Essentially, they will help you avoid the consequences that come with poor cargo handling and violations.

Inspect Tie-downs for Damage or Defects Before Securing Cargo

One of the general rules to keep in mind is inspecting your cargo straps for any damage or defects when securing your cargo. If you see some defects or damage, you must refrain from using that tie-down.

Use the Right Amount of Working Load Limit

Use the Right Amount of Working Load Limit

You also need to consider the right amount of working load limit when securing cargo for haulage processes. When you are tightening your loads, be aware of the breaking strength. This way, you can know just how much weight you can safely secure.

Have the Appropriate Type and Amount of Securement Tools and Equipment

One of the most crucial tips for effective cargo control and securement is to ensure you have the appropriate type of cargo securement tools and equipment. Whether you own an enclosed trailer or a flatbed trailer, knowing which type of hauling equipment works is crucial to a safe hauling process.

Protect Your Straps with Corner Protectors

You cannot avoid sharp edges and rough surfaces when securing an item to your trailer. These sharp edges can cut or damage your straps when you tighten it. So, it is essential to consider using corner protectors to protect your cargo straps. Corner protectors can extend the life of your cargo straps.

Straps with Corner Protectors

Importance of Proper Visibility

One of the dos and don’ts of cargo securement and control is the “do not handle cargo in poor visibility” rule. If you feel visibility is getting affected due to specific reasons like a change in weather conditions, take the necessary steps to improve the lighting in workplaces. Working in improper lighting can cause disaster and can lead to serious injuries.

Final Thoughts

If you don’t know how to strap down a load, you may create risk or even hurt the cargo, others around you, and yourself. Therefore it is crucial to gain knowledge about some tips for effective cargo control and securement. As a cargo handler, keeping loads in place during transit should be your top priority. However, you can only do it by understanding the proper methods of handling cargo and using the right cargo securement tools. 

Your cargo securing equipment are a huge part of this. If you are planning to buy cargo securing equipment in Canada, visit Toronto Trailer. We offer different types of cargo securement equipment and tools. More importantly, our cargo securing tools are tested and trusted by commercial businesses across the country. Let’s help you get your cargo to its destination safely.

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