Transporting heavy equipment is a task that must be left to the pros. Whatever your need for hauling heavy equipment may be, the best thing to do is to allow the professionals to take care of all the work for you. Of course, there are many responsibilities a professional must live up to when storing and hauling around items. Simply put, all haulers must be able to check off everything on their list to ensure that items or equipment get safely transferred from point A to point B. What exactly must haulers and truckers keep in mind during the process? We take a look here!
Perform a Risk Assessment
One of the first things that a professional hauler and trucker must keep in mind when initiating the hauling process is running a risk assessment. A risk assessment is a compliance document that indicates how detailed and thorough a fleet management’s processes are. Basically, it proves that a hauler can get the job done right. With this, customers can rest assured.
Have PPE Stocked
Securing equipment and items during hauling requires the safety of everyone and everything involved. Safety is practically the backbone of the hauling and trucking industry. It should be every hauling company’s basic standard to have their crew wear a complete set of personal protective equipment. This keeps everyone and everything being hauled safe and sound.
Inspect the Hauling Space of Your Equipment
After a risk assessment and stocking up on PPE, haulers should inspect the entirety of the space that will be responsible for the hauling. For example, haulers should do a complete inspection of the tires, lights, brakes, tie-down points, and the weight that the truck can carry that way the truck does not run into complications during the haul.
Chain Down Heavy Equipment
There are several methods in which haulers can take to chain down and secure heavy equipment. Haulers must use tight chains, properly locate tie-down points, and adequately match chain and hook binders. It can be easy for something to come loose should the crew forget to go through these simple steps. Taking care of a few, easy safety procedures ultimately secures the nature of the equipment being hauled.
Map the Safest Route
It’s always better to be safe than sorry. A professional hauler takes the time to look at the rights when it comes to hauling from their destination to the customer’s final destination. While there may be several routes, haulers choose the safest and think about which route will benefit the equipment the most, promising a safe and quick trip.
Mobilize Components
If possible, haulers will try to mobilize the equipment they are hauling that way when they remove all the equipment from the truck, it is faster, safer, and more accessible to do so. But if a hauler wants to mobilize equipment, they must be able to immobilize while the equipment is being hauled to ensure that nothing shifts out of place. This is also where haulers check any extra machine-specific loading conditions.
Conduct a Quick Walk Through
Haulers, as they come in crews, will guide other haulers to the exact unloading area. The haulers that are guiding the truck are responsible for having the ramp clean and ready for deployment. Haulers are to line up the ramp with the rear of the trailer bed as best as possible to take the time to match joints and to eliminate any spaces or gaps.
Slowly Remove Equipment
After haulers park the truck and prepare the equipment, they must maintain a safe distance between the equipment and their spotter and slowly remove the equipment. The spotter is there to help should the equipment operator’s visibility be hindered by the equipment itself. All other personnel should keep clear as the machinery is being unloaded in reverse. All the attention remains on the ramp as the equipment is being unloaded.
Do a Final Ground Inspection
Lastly, haulers will take the time to do a final ground inspection, analyzing the state of the transport vehicle, anchor points, tools, and if there are any pieces of equipment that became detached. Haulers are expected to document the conclusion of the transport to ensure that everything reached its destination safely and untouched.
Turn to White Oak Trucking for Professional Hauling Services!
Transporting equipment is a grand responsibility. The professionals at White Oak are more than happy to assist you with your transportation and hauling needs. Contact us today to learn more about how our services can help you.