Loading and Unloading Mobile Equipment

Don’t let safety slide

Loading Overview

• Loading – The act of placing material, i.e. the

load, on a vehicle for further transport.

• Within “hot logging” operations, loading can be

the limiting factor for production.

• Must load for maximum payload within legal

limits

• A safe, balanced load is essential

– Position load to prevent slippage

The risks are always high, have you done your

pre-job hazard assessment

Loading and unloading equipment such as tractors, loaders, and

skidsteers onto flatbed or tilt-bed trailers is known to be hazardous

enough to cause the loss of workers lives.

The leading cause of death (75%) was overturns of the equipment while

it was being loaded or off-loaded from the trailer.

Seventy percent of these fatalities occurred during equipment loading

operations. The largest category of fatalities (20%) was workers being

struck by the equipment.

Competent Person

• A competent person is someone who:– Is capable of identifying

existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and

– Has the authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them

Equipment Does Roll Over!

Stick to the Code

Employer and worker responsibilities

• The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code places obligations

on the employer and worker when equipment and materials are

secured. Where there is a potential danger to workers because of

equipment or materials becoming dislodged or moving, both the

employer and worker need to take all reasonable steps to eliminate

the danger. This means that the equipment or materials must be

contained or restrained.

Your Responsible as the DriverIf it is unsafe to remove the strapping e.g. the load has shifted, the

blocking is damaged, the blocking is inadequate, etc., the driver must

inform the receiver’s representative. Before removing the strapping, the

driver and receiver’s representative must develop a plan to remove the

load safely. The driver and receiver’s representative have a responsibility

to refuse to unload the load if the load cannot be unloaded safely at

the truck’s present location.

Lets talk Hazards

Overhead power lines

• Buried pipelines/facilities and identified ‘buffer zones’

• Potential for equipment to slide off trailer and potentially to roll over during loading and unloading

• Potential for trailer bed to tip to one side during loading – due to load not being centered on the

trailer and/or the trailer wheels parked on ‘soft’ ground on one or both sides

• Potential for trailer bed to rock forward or backward or to be pushed forward or backward during

loading or unloading

• Reduced visibility due to equipment ‘blind spots’ – Including during loading/offloading equipment

operator may not be able to see trailer deck or ramp area

• Winch line recoil danger zone – in the case where there is a failure of a winch line or any of it’s

components

• Excessive slope to climb or descend due to location chosen to park the trailer, incorrect trailer

selection, incorrect ramp/selection or improper use of ‘beaver tail’

• Ineffective, inoperative defective equipment braking

• Potential for equipment to slip off deck, roll off deck or fall through deck due to any damaged trailer

deck boards or ramps

• Equipment or material/item to be loaded does not meet normal operational standards due to

equipment damage or the equipment may have maintenance or other repair concerns it may not load

in the anticipated manner

Lets talk SOP’s and JSAFollowing are some safety practices and recommendations to minimize hazards when

loading and unloading mobile equipment from trailers:

1. Always make sure the truck and trailer are parked on firm, level ground.

2. The trailer and/or ramps need to be wide enough for the equipment being loaded.

3. If using a flatbed trailer with ramps, check to make sure the ramps are long

enough to avoid having a steep angle.

4. The equipment operator should be familiar with the equipment and preferably

experienced in loading and unloading the equipment.

5. Workers in the vicinity need to be alert and out of the immediate danger zone.

6. When possible, and from a safe distance have a ground spotter assist the

equipment operator in getting the machine properly positioned on the trailer.

7. The truck and trailer should have the brakes set, wheels chocked and engine

turned off.

Short or long distance bind the load

Keep the trailer deck clean of dirt, oil, or other debris. It is important to

note that steel decks can be slippery when they are wet, so be

especially careful when loading tracked equipment in those conditions.

Remember to lock tilt-bed trailers after you load equipment onto them.

Use appropriate-sized chain binders to properly secure the equipment

onto the trailer. Check the bindings for tightness after initially traveling

a short distance.

Pre-check Pre- walk around

As with any piece of equipment, do a complete walk-around inspection of the

trailer prior to each use. When you do the walk-around inspection, look at the

tires. Check to see that they are in good condition, properly inflated, having no

cuts or bulges, and that the lug nuts look tight. Check the lights and flashers.

Make sure that all lights and flashers are working properly. Check to make sure

that the hitch on both your truck and trailer is in good condition and is properly

attached. When inspecting the hitch, look for any signs of cracked metal, broken

welds, or loose attachments.

Before you load you need

Personal Protective Equipment

• • High visibility striping on outer clothing,

• • Long pants and minimum quarter length sleeves

• • CSA approved hard hat

• • CSA approved boots (green triangle, grade 1 with 6” upper)

• • CSA approved safety glasses with approved side shields or over

glasses

• • Hearing protection as required. >85db requires earmuff style

protection

• • Gloves as required, of appropriate type for task

The TRUCK and TRAILER Need

Tools and Equipment

• • Loading rims and skids

• • Dunnage

• • Tire chains

• • Ratchet style boomers

• • Equipment window covers

• • Rubber matting for decks

• • Grade 70 (or higher) chains

Just put it up there

June 2002 15

• NOW, let us look at how to transport and restrain loads, particularly wheeled loads and heavy plant CORRECTLY….

THE MAIN PRINCIPLES OF LOAD RESTRAINING

Restraining applicable to ALL types of LOAD:

• When a truck brakes, accelerates, changes

direction or travels over rough road surfaces

forces are generated on the load which are far

greater than the friction between the load and the

truck platform. The load will move if not secured.

Wear Your Seat Belt when loading unloading!

• When there is a roll-over hazard, there must be a seat belt

• Always wear the seat belt

• Only ride in the seat provided

• No riding in buckets, on fenders or on steps

It will hurt if you do it wrongThe main cause of these fatalities included having the trailer parked on a slope or unstable ground, using a trailer or ramp that was too small for the equipment that was loaded or unloaded, and workers standing too close in the vicinity.

Following are some safety practices and recommendations to minimize hazards when

loading and unloading mobile equipment from trailers:

1. Always make sure the truck and trailer are parked on firm, level ground.

2. The trailer and/or ramps need to be wide enough for the equipment being loaded.

3. If using a flatbed trailer with ramps, check to make sure the ramps are long enough to avoid having a steep angle.

4. The equipment operator should be familiar with the equipment and preferably experienced in loading and unloading the equipment.

5. Workers in the vicinity need to be alert and out of the immediate danger zone.

6. When possible, and from a safe distance have a ground spotter assist them equipment operator in getting the machine properly positioned on the trailer.

7. The truck and trailer should have the brakes set, wheels chocked and engine turned off.

Housekeeping counts everywhere

• Keep the trailer deck clean of dirt, oil, or other debris. It is important to note that steel decks can be slippery when they are wet, so be especially careful when loading tracked equipment in those conditions. Remember to lock tilt-bed trailers after you load equipment onto them. Use appropriate-sized chain binders to properly secure the equipment onto the trailer. Check the bindings for tightness after initially traveling a short distance.

• The proper way to load a trailer is to put about 60 percent of the load towards the front of the trailer. Not having enough weight in the front of the trailer can cause it to fishtail

June 2002 19

The Load Binders

The two chain binders each had a Safe

Working Load (SWL) of 4.17 tonnes with

a 1/2 inch chain.

The binder , at the rear of the trailer ,

broke, under the braking forces, leaving

the crane free to roll forward

The binder at the front bent, and came

loose from its fixing point.

20

The ChainsOnly two chains used, the smaller chain -

3/8 of an inch- was used to prevent the

crane moving forward.

The second and much stronger chain was

1/2 inch (13 mm) thick, used wrongly, to

stop crane rolling back.

Apart from these two chains. No other

effective load restraint was used to hold a

22 ton load in place.

June 2002 21

ONE FIFTH OF

WEIGHT UPWARDS

Rough Roads

Braking

Accelerating, or

Reverse braking Cornering(Both Sides)

LOAD RESTRAINT PRINCIPLES

HALF WEIGHT

OF LOAD

REARWARDS

HALF WEIGHT OF

LOAD SIDEWAYS

FULL WEIGHT

OF LOAD

FORWARDS

June 2002 22

SEEN from the SIDE VIEW:

Recommended angle for direct

lashing is approximately 25 degrees

to the horizontal, ie to the truck bed,

equals a slope of 1 in 2 , gives

effectiveness of 90%. STRONG ! TRAVEL DIRECTION

CHAIN ANGLES

The length of the chain reaching

down to the trailer deck from the

securing point on the load should be

at least twice the height

measurement that the securing

point is above the trailer deck:

June 2002 23

• When dropping crane outrigger pads for

transport do not lift the tyres from the deck.

Use mats - rubber, plywood, or similar -

under all outrigger pads on steel and wood

decks -reduces wheel bouncing.

•ALWAYS ensure the articulated lock bar is

fitted on rollers, forklifts/ tool carriers etc

which can articulate, prevents “folding”

during transport.

Put two chains

thru`tow eyes, not

just one.

Prevents side

movement.

LOAD SAFETY

June 2002 24

TRACKED VEHICLES - transport on Low Beds :

•Do NOT fix chains directly to the track plates of tracked

equipment-bulldozers, side booms etc. Use anchorage

points provided. Cross lash is best, as in this example.

LOAD SAFETY

Securing Devices

What is a securing device?

Friction Mats Binders

Chains Shackles

Wire Rope Winches

Manila Rope Stake Pockets

Synthetic Rope D-Rings

Steel Strapping Pockets

Clamps and latches Webbing Ratchets

Blocking Bracing

Front-end structure Synthetic Webbing

Grab Hooks Binders

Materials Handling and Storage

Inspect All Slings

• Slings must be inspected before each use

• Slings should have tags that indicate capacities

Tie down Devices

All tie downs must be in proper working order.

No knots, damage, distress, or weakened parts.

Each tiedown must be attached and secured to prevent it from becoming loose, unfastening or opening while the vehicle is in transit.

Tiedowns and/or their associated connectors or attachments mechanisms must be designed so that the driver can tighten them.

Edge protection must be used where tie downs are subject to abrasion or cutting.

ChainsWhen using chain:• Make sure your chains, anchor points, and binders have a high

enough rating for the weight of the cargo.

• Install chains so that they do not have twists.

• Make sure there are no kinks, snags, or hang-ups in long chain spans

• Use your own strength when using lever-type and ratchet binders. Using a cheater bar can tension the binder beyond its limits. The use of lever-type binders is not recommended.

• Remember, DO NOT use your Grade 70 Transport chain for lifting.

Chain DefectsChains should not:Have broken, cracked, twisted, bent or stretched links.

Contain nicks, gouges, abrasions, excessive wear, or knots.

Have any weld on the chain, except the original chain weld in each link.

Examples of Chain Defects

How Do I determine The Working Load Limit Of My Tiedown?

• When determining the WLL of your tie down, you should use the manufacturers marking on the tie down. If the tie down is not marked, use one of the following tables to determine your WLL.

Working Load Limits

Synthetic StrapsWhen using straps:• Make sure the straps, hooks, and

tensioning devices are strong enough for the cargo, and not damaged.

• Check for knots, crushed areas, cuts, burns, holes, splices, severe abrasion, and broken load bearing strands.

• Use edge protectors to protect the straps.

Tie down strength and working load limits.

• The working load limit (WLL) is the maximum load that may be applied to a component of a cargo securement system during normal service.

• The WLL is usually assigned by the manufacturer, and may not always be marked on the component.

Working Load Limits

Examples of Strap Defects

Direct Tie downs

½ working load limit (x2) ½ working load limit

Loading Equipment• Trailer secure and on a

level surface

• Inspect the deck for debris, blocking or chains

• Have a spotter help properly align the equipment up the ramps

• Be sure equipment is properly secured

General Cargo Inspection• Driver must inspect cargo and securing

devices within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip.

• Driver must then reexamine when duty status of driver changes

• Driver must reexamine after vehicle has been driven 3 hours or 150 miles

• Drivers, remember that when you are transporting on dirt roads, stop and check straps and chains before hitting the pavement!

Pick-ups and small vehicle securement

• Vehicles should never exceed the Manufacturer’s Gross Vehicle Weight rating.

General Cargo Securement

Be sure beds are in good shape and swept off before leaving!!

General Cargo SecurementA properly secured load will

remain secured:

• Under all conditions that could reasonably be expected to occur in normal driving

• When you are responding to an emergency situation (except when there is a crash).

Bobtailing Loads• Proper route planning is essential in identifying situations that may

require oil and gas equipment to be bobtailed.

• When road conditions discovered during a route survey dictate that bobtailing may be required, attempts should be made to take an alternate route or have the roads fixed so that the loads can be hauled in compliance of the cargo securement guidelines.

Heavy HaulTransporting Heavy Equipment• Heavy equipment or machinery

with crawler tracks or wheels must be restrained against movement in the lateral, forward, rearward, and vertical direction using a minimum of four tie downs.

• Each of the tie downs must be affixed as close as practicable to the front and rear of the vehicle, or mounting points on the vehicle that have been specifically designed for that purpose.

Heavy Haul• Lower and secure all accessory equipment to the vehicle

(hydraulic shovels, booms, etc.).

Heavy Haul• Restrain articulated vehicles to prevent articulation while in

transit.

Heavy Haul

• Secure tie downs as close as practicable to the front and rear of the vehicle.

Was this piece of equipment secured?

Incident Free

• Planning

• Training

• Inspection

• Oversight

• Lessons learned

• Re-evaluate

The focus four hazards are responsible for the majority of physical, financial, and emotional losses in construction — and they exist on nearly every jobsite.It takes a well-trained crew (the entire crew!) and lots of pre-planning to recognize and respond to those hazards. Safety is everyone's responsibility — ALL of the time.

The road to Zero