PACKAGING BEST PRACTICES

 

Preparation for Transportation

  • All equipment or property to be transported must be properly prepared for transportation by Customer or designated representative prior to shipment.
  • Equipment must be properly braced, packaged and prepared for transportation, including but not limited to, the installation of shipping brackets, supporting braces, securing of equipment and other moving or loose parts so as to prevent movement and damage in transit.
  • Equipment must be drained of any and all fluids, which may leak or freeze, causing damage. If the equipment is crated, it must be properly secured to the crate and such crate must be sturdy and rugged as prepared by craftsmen experienced in crating machinery and equipment and sufficient to adequately protect the equipment during transportation.
  • Equipment shipped open on pallets or similar platforms must not overhang the footprint of the pallet/platform.
  • During ordinary rigging, moving or transportation, equipment may be tipped, turned or subjected to strong forces, which are not normally experienced while at rest. Such forces include events during ordinary over-the-road transportation and conditions inherent at job and construction sites such as road construction, railroad tracks, sharp turns, unleveled roadways, potholes and other road hazards.
  • Sudden stops will generate forward force throughout the load. Sharp turns will produce stronger lateral forces toward the front of the trailer.

 

Shipments on Flatbeds
Tarping

  • Property being shipped on open trailers requires adequate packaging to protect it from the elements and to prevent damage to any tarping used.
  • Crating and heavy duty shrink film are typical methods used.
  • The tarping is intended to protect the packaging from the wind force generated in transit.
  • Tarping of product alone cannot assure complete dryness.
  • Vinyl tarps do a very good job of preventing most water migration, but water can still permeate through upward road splash, small holes, stretched seams, overlaps with other tarps, seams that meet the floor or step of the trailer or even up through the floor.
  • If a hermetically sealed environment is required options other than tarping are available. Generally, the original manufacturer will be the best source of packaging requirements.

Carriers may elect to move the load, especially oversize or oddly configured pieces, to a nearby facility that can facilitate tarping in a safe manner. If this is not acceptable to the shipper, carrier may need assistance from shipper at origin point, or arrange for additional help, the cost of which will be borne by the customer.

Chaining and Strapping: Product shipped on open trailers is always chained or strapped. It is the shippers’ responsibility to provide instruction on where chains or straps can and cannot be placed. Any special precautions should be noted on the Bill of Lading or the product, preferably both.

Lift Points: Lifting points to be used by riggers equipment must be clearly indicated on the product. Any special precautions on areas requiring special attention and/or protection must also be clearly called out.