The Top 7 Safety Tips for Heavy Duty Transport
Heavy duty hauling takes skill and experience to safely transport heavy equipment and machinery from destination to destination, especially on the vast network of roads and highways across North America. It’s not a task just anyone can complete without the proper training and knowledge, not to mention equipment. Heavy transport companies make it possible for companies and individuals alike to have their heavy shipments hauled from point A to B by experienced professionals without investing in the industry themselves. However, not all shipping companies are equal. We recommend using a company that prioritizes safety measures so you can have peace of mind that your haul is in good hands. Seven of the most important safety tips your driver should follow for a heavy load are the following.
Follow All Road Laws & Regulations
Anyone on the road should follow the laws and regulations, especially when hauling a heavy load. Oversize or heavy weight hauls require skilled driving to manage hills, turns, and heavy traffic. If a city or town imposes time restrictions for heavy-duty transport, drivers must obey these rules. Certain highways also have regulations for the weight and width of shipments. Drivers must know these rules and abide by their rules, including obtaining permits.
Obtain Proper Permits
Permits are usually required for loads that are considered oversize. A load can be over a width, length, or height limit. Each type requires a permit as well as certain requirements, depending on how far over the limit the dimensions are. These rules may require a driver to display certain signage or arrange for pilot and escort cars. It’s essential that your drivers know these requirements and arrange for them in advance of the shipping day.
Pre-Plan Your Route
With a heavy haul, pre-planning the route goes beyond just pulling out a map or using an app on your phone to pick the fastest route. With heavy hauls, the driver must obey the rules and regulations of the roadways and obtain the proper permits to travel with your shipment. This means they must plan the route that is most efficient but also follows the permitting guidelines. These rules may be in place due to height restrictions from overpasses or electrical wiring or width restrictions.
Use the Right Equipment
A heavy haul won’t get very far unless the right equipment is used. This includes the right-sized trailer to meet all rules and regulations of the road. It also means adding additional axels or booster jeeps to distribute the weight of heavy hauls evenly over the trailer and truck.
Cover Vulnerable Parts of the Machine
Heavy equipment is highly valuable, which is why it’s essential to cover and protect the vulnerable parts of the machines during transport. At Trusted Dispatch, we mandate all drivers take the time to cover windshields to prevent chips and cracks due to flying stones or debris during transit. For longer hauls or dusty roads, drivers may also cover smoke stacks and other open parts of the machine to prevent excessive dust or debris collecting inside or sustaining damage.
Ensure All Equipment is Tied Down Securely
This may seem like an obvious statement, but all equipment must be tied down securely using the correct strength of chain or ties. It’s also important that heavy machines are secured in the proper positions to prevent shifting or worse during transit. An experienced driver will know exactly which points of the load need tying down.
Be Prepared for a Roadside Emergency
Many precautions can be taken before setting out on the road. However, not everything can be prevented. Roadside emergencies can happen to even the most experienced and careful drivers, such as unexpected weather conditions, wildlife on the roads, and other conditions. The top drivers will carefully track the weather and make the call to delay a shipment in extreme conditions. They will also have the right equipment packed to handle an emergency scenario, such as a blown tire, a road accident, or other unexpected situations.
How to Prepare Your Load for a Shipment
The Trusted Dispatch drivers are professionals who will ensure your equipment is loaded correctly and transported securely. However, there are several things you can do to help the driver perform their job more easily.
You can start by uploading an image of your load when you publish it to our load board. This helps our drivers visualize what they are picking up and plan in advance how to load and secure it. Images are very helpful, especially if the driver has more than one load to transport. It’s also noted that the loads that include images get accepted earlier by our network of our drivers.
Heavy Duty Transport Companies in Canada and the United States
Trusted Dispatch is your reliable, expert heavy-duty transport company in North America. Get started with your free quote today. Just enter your pick-up and drop-off locations and the dimensions of your equipment, and you’ll get your free quote instantly.
