Several important principles need to be kept in mind when it comes to container load restraint. When properly implemented, these principles will guarantee that the goods within the container are securely fastened so there is no movement or damage in transit.
Loads that are not properly restrained can pose a significant safety hazard and can also put the cargo itself in danger of being damaged.
To reduce this risk, review the five critical principles that need to be taken into account whenever cargo is loaded into a container.
Weight Distribution
In order to prevent the cargo from shifting and potentially toppling during transit, careful attention should be paid to ensuring proper weight distribution. The container may be in danger of toppling over if the weight of the cargo is not evenly distributed. This could result in damaged cargo, destroyed property, and injuries to personnel. Moreover, the container itself might become damaged – and these are not cheap to replace.
You can help ensure that the weight is spread more equally throughout the container and throughout the different levels of the load by placing heavy things towards the bottom of the container and lighter ones on top.
Load Restraint
In order to prevent the load from moving or falling during transit, it must be securely fastened using a variety of load restraint techniques.
Suitable restraints include things like polyester straps, lashing systems, and tarps, all of which must be tightened and tensioned to prevent any movement whatsoever of the cargo during transportation.
However, generally, polyester strapping and lashing systems are considered the most effective and economical options for most applications.
Utilising the appropriate restraints for the task at hand is crucial, as a poorly selected and badly implemented restraint system could result in a catastrophic failure. Therefore, it is critical that logistics personnel regularly ensure that the load restraint systems being used are strong enough and certified.
Filling voids
In addition to load restraint techniques, additional precautions, such filling voids should be taken to prevent the load from shifting or moving while it is being transported. By implementing dunnage airbags you can significantly reduce the stress placed on the restraining straps or chains.
While wood blocks and braces have traditionally been used for years, dunnage bags are now the go-to system. The reasons that dunnage bags are better than wood are numerous, including the fact that they are far lighter, safer, more flexible, and more cost-effective. Furthermore, compared to wood, dunnage bags offer superior shock absorption capabilities, which results in enhanced safeguarding of your goods.
Regulatory Compliance
A big part of ensuring safe cargo transportation is remaining respectful of load restraint regulations. If you violate the regulations, you could incur fines, penalties, and even license suspensions. Aside from that, you may cause yourself a great deal of legal trouble if an accident were to happen.
The National Transport Commission (NTC) is in charge of creating and maintaining national load restraint standards, whereas the Australian Design Rules (ADR) specify the standards for the development and manufacture of vehicles.
Inspection and Maintenance
To make sure they are in good shape, all shipping container load restraint systems need to undergo routine inspections and maintenance. It pays to check the condition of straps, chains, lashings, ratchets, and dunnage bags, as well as the condition of the container itself, for damage or wear and tear. This should be done every time a load is packed and secured.
The moment any deterioration or damage to the container or restraint systems is detected, it should either be repaired or replaced right away. Failure to do so could result in restraint failure, which could prove to be very costly.
At X-Pak Global, we have a wide range of container load restraint systems that will ensure that your cargo is safe and secure at every stage of the journey. Contact us today to find out more!
