Why Should You Follow Safe Loading Practices ?

Dangers of overloading

For most businesses, loading trucks is a daily activity, which is directly related to the ensuing journey. Overloading or wrongly loading trucks can affect their stability and can even lead to accidents while on the move. In fact, it even becomes difficult to apply brakes if the vehicle is overloaded. An unstable truck can topple over or lose control, thereby risking the lives of drivers and passengers. Safety is one of the foremost concerns for commercial vehicles, and anything that can affect them it needs detailed attention.

Overloading can also have an impact on different parts of the truck and cause untimely wear and tear, which may have more severe side effects in the long run. While initially, it may not seem like an issue, and one may think a bit of extra load can boost revenue growth, the reality is different. Defects in parts due to overloading can affect the vehicle’s durability and, thereby, revenue. So it will be wise to have long-term visions and not settle for extra load for short-term profits.

A truck’s efficiency depends a lot on the loading procedure. An overloaded truck may not be able to deliver as fast or efficiently as one with the optimum payload. This, again, can have a lasting impact on revenue.

Loading checklist for the win

To avoid mishaps due to wrong loading, as fleet managers, you can ensure that the drivers and the personnel involved follow all rules and safety protocols. Some of the top things to note are:

• Vehicle stability: The vehicle on which cargo is loaded/unloaded must be static and stable before any such activity begins. Drivers must ensure the brakes have been applied and in no way the truck is in motion.
• Level ground for loading area: The loading area should always be on solid, level ground, devoid of any sort of undulation to avoid the vehicle from rolling. Especially for vehicles like dump trucks, carrying out the activities on level ground is a must.
• Properly arranged cargo: Shifting goods while the truck is on the move can cause loss of balance and lead to fatal accidents. Arranging the cargo properly and securing them to avoid movements can save the vehicle from losing balance.
• Look for permissible load limitslimit: Fleet managers should be aware of this and adhere to it without fail. Following this rule will ensure a maximum number of trips devoid of any breakdown or accidents.

Eicher believes that a little sincerity and vigilance can go a long way in evading severe mishaps.