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What’s so important about securing freight?
Many truck drivers have been killed or seriously injured by improperly secured cargo moving forward and crushing the cab of the truck. The safety of other motorists is also a concern. If your family or friends were riding in a car beside your truck, would you feel confident that nothing would fall off and harm them?
Regardless of who actually loads the trailer, the driver is the person responsible for ensuring that the load is properly secured and road-ready. If freight is not properly secured, it could shift and cause the vehicle to roll over.
Driver factors that contribute to rollovers:
- Entering a curve at excessive speed.
- Not being aware of tractor-trailer limitation.
- Not anticipating the sharpness of a curve.
- Steering truck onto the soft shoulder.
- Drifting off the road and abruptly counter-steering.
- Failing to comply with speed advisory.
- Accelerating through a curve.
- Inexperienced drivers transporting high center-of-gravity loads.
- Steering abruptly, perhaps during avoidance maneuvers.
- Being impaired by fatigue, drowsiness, alcohol, drugs, etc.
- Being reckless, angry, emotional, or otherwise upset.
Vehicle factors to consider:
- Top-heavy load.
- Collapsed suspension.
- Underinflated tires.
- Vehicle and axle weights.
- Fifth wheel lubrication.
- Poor brake performance.
- Cargo distribution.
- Load shift.
Accidents resulting from damaged or missing cargo result in $200 million in lost revenue each year. More importantly, however, an unsecured, falling, and shifting freight can cause serious injuries.
KEMI does not assume liability for the content of information contained herein. Safety and health remain your responsibility. This information is to be used for informational purposes only and not intended to be exhaustive or a substitute for proper training, supervision, or manufacturers’ instructions/recommendations. KEMI, by publication of this information, does not assume liability for damage or injury arising from reliance upon it. Compliance with this information is not a guarantee or warranty that you will be in conformity with any laws or regulations nor does it ensure the absolute safety of any person, place, or object, including, but not limited to, you, your occupation, employees, customers, or place of business.
