7 Tips for Hauling Freight Without Getting Hurt

1. Preparing the Load for the Road
2. Carry out a risk assessment
3. Secure both locations and personnel
4. Determine size dimensions
5. Perform safety checks on vehicles
6. Properly load and secure the cargo
7. Designate duties clearly
8. Map the journey and make a note of the challenges
9. Hauling Freight With a Trailer
10. Driver Health and Safety
11. Adjust your seat
12. Fine-tune the mirrors
13. Lift cargo with care
14. Stretch
15. Get enough rest
16. Conclusion

Large machinery, heavy equipment, and bulky objects can be difficult, time-consuming, and expensive to transport.

When moving such large items, you must ensure that the transport vehicle and method adhere to stringent safety standards, which include planning and observing local, state, and federal regulations.

This post will cover guidelines for hauling freight safely and within the guidelines and how to protect your vehicle and employees from harm.

Preparing the Load for the Road

Before you depart, you must follow crucial steps to ensure the items' and your team's safety.

Following these guidelines will ensure that your freight gets to the designated destination in good condition. At the same time, your employees and vehicles will be safe on the road.

1. Carry out a risk assessment

It is vital to evaluate all factors related to your journey, such as regulations in the city or cities you will be traveling through, any potential pitfalls, and insurance coverage if something goes wrong.

Be sure to formally document the different assessment indicators, including backup plans, if something goes wrong. Keep your staff informed of any changes so they may be prepared.

2. Secure both locations and personnel

The safety of your employees should invariably be your highest priority at all times. Therefore, ensure they are equipped with personal protective equipment at both the departing and receiving locations.

In addition, all employees should be regularly trained on safety standards when hauling large and bulky items.

They could be in danger if they do not have the appropriate protection and training while preparing for and carrying out transport duties.

3. Determine size dimensions

The first step in loading anything is figuring out how big it is and how much it weighs.

Before embarking, you must ensure your transport vehicle can support the load's height, width, length, and weight. If you use a commercial motor vehicle to transport the goods, ensure that it complies with the latest regulations.

4. Perform safety checks on vehicles

Check every aspect of your transportation before each trip. A comprehensive inspection will ensure that your vehicle meets the safety standards and is in suitable condition for transporting freight.

Pay special attention to the tires, lights, brakes, tiedown points, and hydraulic hoses of the vehicle.

As you perform the examination, keep notes, and make any required repairs before you leave.

Failures in equipment can cause delays, injuries, or even fatalities in extreme circumstances.

5. Properly load and secure the cargo

Follow the regulations on loading and securing your freight to avoid penalties and safety risks.

In particular, pay attention to your vehicle's weight and height limits, and do not overload it under any circumstances.

An important loading aspect is checking to see if the driver has adequate visibility, including all mirrors.

The positioning of the load must also not prevent the driver from moving freely. The driver needs easy access to any necessary vehicle components and accessories.

6. Designate duties clearly

Everyone on the team needs to know what to do and when. With a clear line of command, instructions can be filtered down easier, and the job can be done more efficiently.

They need to be aware of what they are doing and how their actions can result in injury or damage if not carried out correctly.

7. Map the journey and make a note of the challenges

Look at the map and consider low bridges, roadworks, and any other obstacles that could pose a risk to your driver, the vehicle, and the load.

Provide alternative routes, and inform staff at the destination of any delays. Don't neglect to factor in time for rest stops if the journey is longer than two hours.

While it's important to get from point A to point B in the quickest way possible, more crucial is getting there safely.

Hauling Freight With a Trailer

If you are moving large cargo personally, you may use a trailer. Here are a few tips to make sure you are transporting your goods safely and securely.

1. Ensure that your vehicle can carry the load and is safely parked and secured before loading the goods.
2. Double-check the trailer, including tires, brakes, lights, and the deck, so that it can be ready to handle the load.
3. Safely secure the cargo with tiedowns so it does not move while in transit.

Driver Health and Safety

Because of the physically demanding nature of their work, many truck drivers suffer from ailments such as backaches and fatigue.

Back pain is often the result of activities that strain the spine, such as sitting for long periods, shaking and shuddering when driving, getting in and out of the cab of your truck, and incorrectly lifting heavy objects.

Because the back is composed of many muscles, vertebrae, discs, and nerves, even a minor change in any of these components might aggravate the condition.

The good news is that you can do a few things to reduce or eliminate the risk of experiencing back pain.

Adjust your seat

Moving your seat can help you prevent slouching while driving. Slouching is often the cause of back pain and can worsen an existing injury. So make sure that your seat position supports a comfortable posture.

Here are a few guidelines for correct seat positioning:

• Your knee should rest on the seat's edge
• Your back should touch the seat
• Use the headrest
• The wheel should be easy to grasp

Adjusting your seat will help you drive with good posture and prevent injuries to your back and spine.

Fine-tune the mirrors

It would help if you didn't strain or twist your neck to use your mirrors. For example, turning your spine when doing a shoulder check or looking in the mirror might harm your neck and back.

Before leaving, check that the mirrors are within your view, especially after adjusting the seat.

Lift cargo with care

Drivers often need to step in and load the vehicle, especially in smaller businesses with a staff shortage.

Incorrect lifting practices can cause long-term damage to the back and spine. To lift properly, use the strength of your legs to do most of the work.

Bend your knees, and keep your elbows close to your torso to protect your back's discs.

Stretch

It is often overlooked, but stretching before lifting a heavy load is vital, especially if you have been sitting down and driving for a long time.

Listen to your body and stop to rest, and frequently stretch when driving. Please don't overdo it, though. Stretch gently and comfortably.

Get enough rest

Adults require seven hours of sleep each night to perform optimally during the day. This is crucial for drivers, who often focus on the road for hours.

A good night's sleep prevents risky drowsy driving and allows your back and body to recover from stress.

Conclusion

Protecting yourself when transporting freight is always a risky business. So let us take a load off by helping you with your shipping needs. Contact us here for a FREE quote.