Every now and then, your business will need to be able to deal with wide loads. But actually transporting these cargoes from one location to another is more challenging than a lot of business owners realise. There’s just quite a bit to it.
That’s why we’ve written this post. We explore how to manage these loads as a company and avoid falling foul of regulations, or, indeed, the law.
Understand The Rules
Start by working to understand the rules. Check you know the laws at every level so you can avoid doing something that’s not allowed or that could invalidate your insurance.
If you need to learn about height and weight restrictions for wide loads, do so. You may need to split up the cargo to ensure you don’t exceed any of the restrictions.
Obtain The Right Permits
Another thing you’ll want to do is obtain the proper permits. Ensure you get all of these in advance.
When dealing with heavy equipment transport, check the specific rules. Make sure the authorities clear you for the actual transportation you want to perform, not something else. Sometimes, there can be confusion, so always double check with someone who knows what they’re talking about.
Make Sure You Know The Route
After that, you want to ensure you check the route. Planning this carefully is essential for things like avoiding low bridges and challenging construction zones.
If you don’t plan the route, the likelihood of running into challenges later on is much higher. Sod’s law says that if things can go wrong during the transportation, they probably will, so always plan ahead.
Train Your Drivers
At the same time, you need to train your drivers if you have a fleet. Make sure they understand how to manage wide loads and deal with them properly. Also, check things like coordination. If you can send along escort vehicles, that’s also helpful, especially along busy routes at busy times. Don’t take any chances.
Coordinate Your Stakeholders
Usually, most wide loads have stakeholders — various people who are involved in the project and need to know about how transport is progressing.
For example, tell the authorities about the load during transit, where required. Also, work with colleagues and clients to ensure that someone is always there for on- and off-loading.
Implement Safety Protocols
If you can implement adequate safety protocols, that’s also a good idea. Taking extra steps to keep people secure is vital for your brand and overall company wellbeing.
For example, all drivers should have protocols they can follow in the event of an emergency. These should be part and parcel of the work they do.
You also want proper signage on any escort vehicles. Again, this is essential and something you need to stay on top of if you want to reduce risks.
Schedule Wisely
Finally, make sure you’re scheduling at the right time. Most wide loads travel on the highways at night to avoid disruption and stress.