Five Safety Tips When Preparing For Heavy Machinery Transportation

As you know, machinery and plant movement is an indispensable part of every industry today.

23:51 25 January 2023

As you know, machinery and plant movement is an indispensable part of every industry today. Unfortunately, when working with such equipment, you can be significantly exposed to hazards. 

Did you know that according to the occupational safety and health administration, workers in transportation and material moving occupations have accounted for nearly half of all fatal occupational injuries? (source). 

So, during heavy-load transportation operations, your workers are in a high-risk situation, and thus, you must have the right plan to ensure their safety. 

It’s not just about their safety; you need to keep an eye out on several things, from taking care of loaded equipment to safely delivering it to the final destination. Any unsafe working practices when transporting can result in costly damage to machinery. 

To ensure a safer delivery, read on to familiarise yourself with crucial safety tips that can save you from any severe offence and keep your workers and equipment in healthier condition:

1. Carefully read the owner's manual

 

You may have the requisite knowledge for moving large pieces of equipment from one place to another. However, checking your owner’s manual before loading will give you added knowledge regarding certain specifications. 

You might find specific details in the manual, like how to set up a machine. How to tie down or secure parts? Are there any particular measurements or weights for shipping purposes? 

This way, you can discover many informative details on what to cover before transportation. To ensure a safe and comfortable ride, it is imperative that you once go through your owner’s manual.

1. Perform safety checks on your vehicle

A good trailer or truck with enough power is vital for transporting heavy machinery. Right? So, before you load any equipment, it's essential to ensure that your vehicle can handle the size of the load being shipped. Remember that the “hauling capacity” is the only factor determining whether your vehicle is safe to move heavy loads. 

There are several other aspects to look at before you place the load into your trailer:

• Check the brakes and tire pressure of your vehicle.
• Look out for any damages that can hinder your transporting process.

If everything seems good, you're ready to start the loading process!

1. Prepare for loading

Before loading any equipment, ensure the space around your ramp and trailer is free of obstructions. Please clear out the debris and dust which might cause a clog in those areas. 

Plus, if there's oil or lubricant, clean it to avoid a slippery surface. A smooth load transition can be ensured through a clear path. Therefore, maintain a barrier-free path from the ground to the trailer bed and simplify the loading process.

1. Properly secure the heavy machinery

Have you ever seen heavy loads tumbling off trucks on busy roads? This typically happens when the load is not sufficiently secured. An uneven load may increase the risk of tipping and make it harder for the driver to maintain the weight of the load and trailer under control. 

So, when it comes to transportation, it's your responsibility to keep an even distribution of the load's weight throughout the trailer and ensure the safety of your load. Additionally, you can use a wedge to ensure the wheels are locked in place for safer protection.

If necessary, use extra straps when tying down your cargo. Then, when all your security feels satisfactory, you can embark on your transportation journey.

1. Keep the vulnerable parts safe

It should be evident that the equipment you are transporting may include sensitive parts. For example, transporting a heavy load in an open container may easily get damaged from exposure to the weather. 

Therefore, to ensure that the machine you’re transporting reaches its destination in operating condition, you must take extra care to safeguard the vulnerable parts. For instance, you can use insulation techniques to prevent the machinery from freezing during the winter. Similarly, in summer, you must protect it from overheating and rust.

Transporting heavy machinery is no easy task. Your professionals or skilled drivers must maintain a checklist to ensure they are routing on the right path. We hope our blog has provided good knowledge of heavy load securement and transportation operations. 

So, remember to adhere to all the above safety tips to prevent any mishaps during transit and ensure safe delivery. In the end, your efforts reflect your company’s efficiency and regulatory compliance.