| 01 October 2022
YOUR CARGO IS HANDLED APPROPRIATELY AND WITH CARE
Alistair Group takes all reasonable steps to ensure that any cargo is handled appropriately and with care. Our robust integrated management system has been designed to guarantee that all stages are efficiently executed in line with local and global standards. Our specialists assess potential safety, environmental and quality hazards associated with handling each cargo and ensure that all processes and procedures are adhered to.
Our trucks are supplied with all necessary equipment to transport a range of products including explosives, flammable solids, Oxidizing agents, toxic and Infectious substances, radioactive materials, corrosives and other miscellaneous materials. Vigorous inspection processes and advanced asset tracking systems help to establish asset readiness status to load our confirmed cargoes.
Alistair Group Truck Inspection Check List
One of the most effective ways of avoiding damage to cargo is to focus on ‘Defensive Driving‘. Our drivers attend extensive defensive driving courses designed to develop their skills in identifying risks, by increasing their awareness of hazards and developing a safer attitude to their driving by linking risk to accident potential. Drivers are encouraged to use defensive driving techniques such as a positive driver attitude, concentrating on driving, being alert, recognising hazards, watching speed, keeping safe distances and avoiding taking risks.
OUR FUNDAMENTAL COMMANDMENTS IN SECURING LOADS INCLUDE:
- Before the vehicle is loaded, the driver checks that its load platform, bodywork and any load securing equipment are in sound and serviceable condition.
- The loading supervisor secures the cargo in such a way that it cannot shove away, roll over, wander because of vibrations, fall off the vehicle or make the vehicle tip over.
- The loading Supervisor determines the securing method(s) best adapted to the characteristics of the cargo (locking, blocking, direct lashing, top-over lashing or combinations of these).
- A check is conducted to ensure the vehicle and blocking equipment manufacturers’ recommendations are adhered to.
- Additionally, checking if the cargo securing equipment is proportional to the constraints it will encounter during the journey. Emergency braking, strong cornering to avoid an obstacle, and bad road or weather conditions all have to be considered normal circumstances that are most likely to happen during a journey. The securing equipment must be able to withstand these conditions.
- Each time cargo has been (un)loaded or redistributed, drivers inspect the cargo and check for overload and/or poorly balanced weight distribution before starting. Ensuring that the cargo is distributed in such a way that the centre of gravity of the total cargo lies as close as possible to the longitudinal axis and is kept as low as possible: heavier goods under, lighter goods above.
- Check the cargo securing regularly, wherever possible during the journey. In addition, our professional drivers check the cargo after heavy braking or other abnormal situations during driving.
Wherever possible, we use equipment which supports the cargo securing such as friction mats, walking boards, straps, edge beams, etc. - Ensure that the securing arrangements do not damage the goods transported.
- Drive smoothly, i.e. adapt your speed to the circumstances to avoid a brisk change of direction and heavy braking. If this advice is followed, the forces exerted by the cargo will remain low and no problems should be encountered.
