Load securing

Cargo damage because of improperly secured cargo

Load securing, also known as cargo securing, is the securing of cargo for transportation. According to the European Commission Transportation Department “it has been estimated that up to 25% of accidents involving trucks can be attributable to inadequate cargo securing”.[1] Cargo that is improperly secured can cause severe accidents and lead to the loss of cargo, the loss of lives, the loss of vehicles, or cause environmental hazards.

Background

Because of globalization, the subsequent flow of goods that are transported over greater distances, containerization and new regulatory measures”. [2] will lead to a greater demand for efficient, cost effective and environmentally friendly cargo restraint products.

Many types of cargo such as corrugated fiberboard boxes are often formed into a unit load. This often consists of items on a pallet unitized by stretch wrap, shrink wrap, pressure-sensitive tape, or strapping. Larger shipping containers such as crates are often on skids and are ready for loading. These unit loads are placed in intermodal containers, trucks, or railroad cars for shipment. Some large bundled items or large machinery are placed directly into or onto the transport vehicle for shipment.

Load securing functions to hold the unit pallet loads, crates, or other items immobile and secure. An unsecured load can shift in transit and create dangerous dynamics, damaging the cargo and the structure of the vehicle or intermodal container.

Methods

There are many different ways and materials available to stabilize and secure cargo in vehicles and intermodal containers.[3]

Blocking & Bracing

Blocking & bracing is a load securement method using lumber and metal bars to reduce or inhibit front to rear shifting of freight/cargo. Plastic forms are also used.

Blocking and Bracing with timber

Fasteners

Depending on the type of load and the particular vehicle, large bolts and nails may be used. These may be on the load itself or on wood blocks used to brace the load.

See also: Transit bolt

Dunnage

Main article: Dunnage

Dunnage for securing cargo includes scrap wood to fill voids in cargo, wooden boards forming "cribs", blocking and bracing, and modern mechanical, spring-loaded post-and-socket systems, Dunnage segregates cargo in the hold and prevents shifting of the cargo in response to ship or vehicle motions.

Strapping

Polyester strapping and dunnage bag application
Main article: Strapping

Strapping is used to create a transportable unit. Types of strapping include steel, polyester, polypropylene, nylon, paper, and composites. The type of strap used depends on the requirements, for example, strength, elasticity, ability to withstand various environments, easy of use, safety, and cost.

All types of tensioned strapping, particularly steel, need to be handled carefully because of potential injury.

Lashing

Polyester Lashing application

Lashing is the securing of cargo for transportation with the goal of minimizing shifting. Items used for lashing include ropes, cables, wires, chains, strapping, and nets. These items are anchored to the container and tensioned against the cargo. Another form of lashing used four devices attached to the top of each corner of a container.[4][5] Lashing is products and methods are governed by various authorities such as the Association of American Railroads (AAR) for rail transportation in North America, the international Maritime Organization (IMO) for ocean transportation and the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA).

Dunnage bags

Dunnage bag application in container
Main article: Dunnage bag

Whereas strapping and lashing is often used to secure odd-shaped cargo such as machinery, structures, and vehicles. Dunnage bags are mostly used for homogeneous shaped cargo such as food & beverage products, electronics and appliances and roll paper. Often, strapping/lashing and dunnage bags are used in combination to secure chemical products. Dunnage Bags are not approved for rail transportation of hazardous materials in the United States.

Dunnage bags, also known as air bags, were introduced some 40 years ago as a convenient, fast and cost effective alternative to secure and stabilize cargo in ISO sea containers, closed rail cars, trucks and (ocean-going) vessels. The purpose of dunnage bags is often misunderstood when they are considered as a void filler only to prevent lateral movement of cargo. When properly applied however, dunnage bags form a 3-dimensional bulkhead of the cargo itself preventing both lateral and longitudinal movement.

Tie downs

Chains used on logging truck

Heavy loads are sometimes secured to vehicles with tie down straps, heavy duty strapping, or tensioned chains.

See also

Standards

References

  1. ↑ "European Commission Mobility and Transport". Road Safety: Best practice guidelines on cargo securing and abnormal transport. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  2. ↑ "European Parliament". DIRECTIVE 2014/47/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 3 April 2014 on the technical roadside inspection of the roadworthiness of commercial vehicles circulating in the Union and repealing Directive 2000/30/EC(Text with EEA relevance). Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  3. ↑ European Best Practice Guidelines on Cargo Securing for Road Transport (PDF). European Commission Directorate-General for Energy and Transport. 2010.
  4. ↑ Hinkelman, Edward G. (2008), DICTIONARY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE (8th ed.), Librix.eu, p. 109, ISBN 978-80-7399-759-5.
  5. ↑ Branch, Alan E. (2007), Elements of shipping (8th ed.), Taylor & Francis, p. 246, ISBN 978-0-415-36286-3.
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