Working out in subzero temperatures, knee-deep snow, and handling slippery securement equipment is part of the job for the flatbed trucker. Dragging chains and threading straps through heavy equipment and odd-shaped cargo is hard work on a sunny day, so you can just imagine the effort it takes in winter conditions.
There have been a couple of incidents recently where cargo has come off of the top of the trailers a bit too easily. In this first case, even the Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Enforcement determined that not even half of the needed securement was used.
Windmill hub falls off overturned drop deck trailer after turning too fast
In the early afternoon of Jan.5, @joni1167 on Twitter posted this image of a windmill hub laying on the ground after the truck apparently took a left turn aiming for the interstate on-ramp a tad bit too sharply. We’ve all seen tipped-over trailers before, but it’s the remarks by the Iowa DOT MVE themselves on their Facebook page that concern me.
Not even half the needed chains were used? Now any respectful bedbugger will surely do the math and use the right amount of restraints on their cargo, right?
A blatant miscalculation like that should be met with the harshest penalties, in my opinion. Iowa has had some rough weather lately, but that is no excuse to not make sure you are completely legal with your freight securement.
A truckload of metal strewn across I-80 in Park City, Utah looks to have come off a bit too easily
Now I’ve hauled general freight on a flatbed myself. Strapping down light poles is similar to metal bar stock, you use a strap on each end and additional straps every ten feet.
In incidents like the one in the early hours of Jan. 6 outside Park City, Utah, you have to wonder if the driver was a bit lax in his duty to safely secure that load because it was at night. I have not seen the accident report on this overturned trailer yet, but you have to wonder if the right amount of straps were used.
The questions of if they were tight enough and were corner protectors used on the product also come to mind. Loads have been known to be rejected if chains are used in place of straps, and straps can be chaffed and cut when tightened on dull edges.
A lot of high-priced heavy material is hauled by flatbed, step-deck, and low-boy trailers. It might be wise to step back and have a refresher on proper securement procedures and techniques as 2023 had started off rough for the flatbed trucking fleet.
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