How to avoid tipping of loads from over inside a truck
A pallet is subjected to considerable forces during transport. A truck is sometimes forced to brake unexpectedly or to take a very sharp curve.
This makes it even more important to ensure that the load stays upright and there is proper pallet stability! Unfortunately, accidents caused by loads that tip over are still happening with all the associated consequences: damaged goods, environmental and reputation damage, as well as financial consequences. And we have not even touched on safety, or the lack thereof, yet.
It is therefore important to give due consideration to the force exerted on a pallet during transport. In case of an emergency stop, this force can reach an acceleration of up to 0.8 G. The G-force can be quite high in sharp curves as well. It is therefore essential that the load is wrapped such that it cannot shift.
The EUMOS legislation introduced in 2018 makes heavy demands on the forces a load must be able to withstand and imposes high fines in case of violations.
THIS IS HOW YOU KEEP A LOAD UPRIGHT
Securing a load inside a truck always revolves around a number of questions: what does the load look like? What kind of truck is it? What kind of equipment is available: ratchet straps or anti-slip mats? And how do you fasten it, so that everything stays on the pallet?’
By using the following steps, you can be assured that the load will not tip over and you will have proper pallet stability:
Take the truck and its characteristics into consideration. You may need ratchet straps or anti-slip mats, which is often the case when you transport different types of load.
Stack in accordance with a stable pattern: heavy load at the bottom, lighter load on top. This way, you avoid pallets from tipping over.
Take note of the quality of the stretch film that is to be used to wrap the load. If a pallet is not properly wrapped, the load and the pallet do not form a single whole. If the packaging fails, the load’s centre of gravity will shift. This can cause significant problems during transport. With the right stretch film, the pallets stay upright.
Use the right quantity of stretch film. Too much film around a light load can damage the products, while too little film can result in an unstable pallet.
Be sure to apply the right wrapping force. The right wrapping force provides for pallet stability, which is essential for the safe transport of goods. The wrapping force is different for different loads, such as light or heavy loads. The right wrapping force is achieved by a combination of wrapping film with precisely the right elasticity, the right number film wrap arounds, and a wrapping machine with the right settings.
Fasten the load onto the pallet. If the products on the pallet are fastened together, but are not fastened to the pallet, the load can still slide off the pallet. Using roping, securing the load with film rope, you prevent the load from sliding off the pallet.
Finally, always be aware of the condition of your pallets. This way, your products can be transported safely! Good luck with achieving proper pallet stability!
Would you like to know more? Then please contact us.
