The biggest part of moving that most people dislike is the heavy lifting from the loading and unloading.
At BW Movers company in south Africa, our professional moving teams ensure you don’t lift a finger and safely lift, carry, load
, and unload all your belongings in next to no time. Bw mover company take your move seriously.
Logistic Services: Loading and Unloading
Logistics services are not something that we use every day, so there may be a lot of terminology within this industry that you are aware of.
Simply put, loading and unloading is a service that is given to the public to load and unload cargo or household furniture from one place and then offload that cargo at another place.
This job requires professional skills and should be carried out by a reputable moving company. In this article we will be discussing the process of loading and unloading as well as how employees are required to stick to all protocols in order to make the process of loading and unloading safe yet effective.
The Loading and Unloading Process
For many logistic business, loading and offloading of trucks is second nature forms a part of their day-to-day activities.
Although they might make it look easy, this job does come with a high risk of injury especially if the staff have not been trained properly of fail to adhere to the correct protocols when loading and offloading of cargo.
Accidents unfortunately can happen to anyone from employees who operate forklifts to those who simply pack materials into a truck. Injury is always a risk and needs to be controlled accordingly so as to eliminate any such occurrences.
It is for exactly this reason why employers need to ensure that their workers are kept safe during the loading and unloading of any type of freight.
Safety First: Checklist for Loading and Unloading
This job does not come without various risks and injuries. Some of the most common injuries during the loading and unloading process can be:
- Spraining and straining of the muscles when lifting heavy materials.
- Bruising and cuts.
- Head trauma from possible falling cargo.
- Crushing injuries which can be fatal.
- Spinal injuries.
A system has to be put in place so as to minimise these types of injuries and business owners should make sure to set adequate standards and protocols with regards to how their employees should be loading and unloading cargo.
Remember that as a business owner, injuries caused in the workplace can be financially and legally challenging for any business. Therefore management of employees and the correct protocols or procedures have to be adhered to at all times so as to keep employees safe and aware of any possible dangers. When using the correct resources and procedures you can have your logistics company running safely and efficiently.
Here is a check list that will assist to make sure that staff, business owners and customers alike are all safe during the loading and unloading process.
#1 Make Sure the Loading Vehicle is Stable
All vehicles need to be stopped, braked, and stabilised when it comes time to the unloading and loading of inventory. If an employee tries to unload a vehicle that is unstable it can result in a fatal injury. Teach your employees to be patient and to make sure that the vehicle is stabilised before setting to work.
#2 Keep Loading Areas Well Lit
Employees should be able to do what is required of them in well-lit areas. The correct lighting is critical because if your employees do not have a well-lit environment in which to work, they are more likely to get injured during duty.
#3 Loading Areas Must be Hazard Free
All loading areas have to be hazardous free. Potholes, dangerous debris, chemicals, and broken objects can become a real risk to your employees. The client will usually tell you in advance what you are going to be loading and offloading so that the correct procedures can be put into place.
#4 Traffic Avoidance
When it comes to logistics, forklifts are essential to load and offload items that need to be transported. Forklifts can, however, become a huge risk to the employee if they are not properly trained on how to use the machine.
It is also important to make sure that loading bays are always only operated on a one-way flow pattern and kept free from any traffic. Make sure that no unauthorised employees are situated in the loading area as this can create distraction as well as traffic.
#5 Make Sure Loads are Secure Before Transportation Commences
Take the time to make sure that everything that has been loaded is arranged properly and strapped down securely for transport. This will help to ensure that the drivers and workers remain safe on their logistic trips.
At BW Movers we go always go the extra mile to make sure that our clients are kept happy and our staff are kept safe during our loading and unloading processes. BW Movers, keeps employees safe, keeps customers happy and gets the job done!
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