Common Lashing Mistakes to Avoid Preventing Cargo Damage
Has your cargo ever shifted, fallen, or been damaged during transportation? If so, you’re not alone. Many professionals in the shipping industry face these challenges, and in most cases, these issues arise from avoidable lashing mistakes. The good news is that by understanding and avoiding these common errors, you can significantly improve the security of your load.
Lashing and securing cargo is a vital aspect of safe transportation. Not only does it keep goods in place, but it also ensures the safety of drivers, receivers, and other road users. Yet, many people still overlook crucial steps, leading to costly damage and potential accidents. In this blog, we’ll explore common lashing mistakes to avoid when lashing and securing cargo with practical solutions to ensure your cargo arrives safely.
Avoid Miscalculating Cargo Weight
Incorrectly estimating the weight of your cargo is another mistake that can lead to serious problems. Overloading a vehicle without understanding its weight limit can cause damage to both the cargo and the transport vehicle, increasing the risk of accidents.
To avoid this, ensure accurate weight calculations before securing your load. Modern technologies like digital floor scales, load cell systems, and automated in-motion weighing platforms provide precise measurements within seconds. These smart weighing solutions help distribute weight evenly and prevent unnecessary strain on the cargo securing systems. Portable axle weighbridges and wireless pallet jacks with built-in scales make it easier than ever to get accurate readings right at the loading point. Proper weight assessment helps implement the right pallet securing methods to stabilize the load during transit.
Avoid Using Substandard or Damaged Cargo Lashing Equipment
One of the most frequent lashing mistakes is using cargo lashing equipment that is either inadequate or damaged. Thin or weakened straps can snap during transit, leading to shifts in cargo or even complete loss of load. To prevent these issues, always invest in high-quality cargo-securing systems like IGP Lashing and regularly inspect your strapping tools. This will not only safeguard your goods but also ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Avoid Incorrect Lashing Placement
Improperly placing straps is a common oversight when securing cargo. Whether straps are too tight or too loose, incorrect placement can lead to significant issues. Loose straps may allow the cargo to shift, while overtightened straps can damage the cargo and the person strapping the goods. Over-tensioning is a major concern for worker safety – SafeWork Australia reports that excessive force during manual tensioning commonly leads to shoulder strains, back injuries, and repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) in transport workers. Using mechanical tensioning devices with pre-set tension limits not only ensures consistent load restraint but also reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injuries that can occur from repeatedly applying excessive manual force.
When manually tensioning straps, workers should maintain proper posture, avoid overreaching, and use their body weight rather than pure arm strength. The Load Restraint Guide 2018 recommends using tension indicators or load-rated tension tools where possible to achieve the correct tension without overexertion.
Ensure that cargo lashing equipment is applied correctly with the correct tension to address this issue. Proper placement and tightening of lashing straps are essential for maintaining the stability of the load throughout its journey.
Failing to Secure the Load Properly
Another common mistake is not securing the load correctly to the vehicle or shipping container. Whether failing to use the correct cargo securing systems or attaching the load to an improper part of the vehicle, these errors can result in cargo shifting during transit.
It’s crucial to calculate the correct break strength (BS) needed – this should be at least 2-3 times your cargo weight, with sufficient lashing points to distribute the load. For example, a 2000lb load requires straps with a minimum combined BS of 4000-6000lb, in line with the Load Restraint Guide 2018 published by the National Transport Commission.
Make sure to follow best practices when securing your load. Always use the appropriate lashing and securing cargo techniques and ensure the load is anchored to the correct points on the vehicle for maximum stability.
Overlooking Regular Inspection of Lashing Equipment
Routine inspection of your cargo lashing equipment is crucial yet often neglected. Without regular checks, wear and tears can go unnoticed, leading to equipment failure and potentially dangerous situations.
Implement a regular inspection routine for your straps, strapping tools, and other equipment to prevent this. Timely maintenance can help you spot and fix issues before they lead to cargo damage or accidents.
To support uninterrupted operations, IGP maintains a few loan tensioners available to customers while their equipment undergoes service or repairs.
Ignoring Proper Cargo Packing Techniques
Proper cargo packing is equally important as securely lashing it. Many professionals overlook packing methods, which can lead to instability within the container. If your goods are packed poorly, no amount of lashing will keep them secure.
To avoid this, ensure that goods are tightly packed, with no gaps between them. An effective load restraint system often requires a combination of methods – anti-slip matting can increase friction coefficients by up to 0.6, while inflatable dunnage bags can fill voids up to 300mm and prevent load shift. Use materials like corner protectors to prevent strap damage and distribute tension evenly, while timber dunnage can help with load distribution and ventilation.
When transporting mixed loads, consider compatible restraint combinations – for example, Cargo-Lash with rubber load mats for palletized goods. A well-packed shipment using appropriate combinations of load restraint methods will work with your cargo securing systems, ensuring maximum security during transit and compliance with the National Transport Commission’s loading requirements.
The Bottom Line
Lashing and securing cargo is a crucial part of any transportation process. By avoiding these common lashing mistakes – such as using damaged equipment, miscalculating cargo weight, and improper strap placement – you can ensure the safe arrival of your goods. Always invest in high-quality cargo lashing equipment, perform regular inspections, and follow proper packing and securing techniques.
For expert advice that saves you money and keeps your team safe, contact IGP at 281.441.9100. Our specialists will help you select the right cargo-securing systems to prevent costly load shifts, damaged goods, and workplace injuries. Our proven solutions will get your cargo there safely, every time.
IGP is your home for all your strapping product needs, shipping tools, and more. We offer all the industry standard materials with the best products and ship all over the United States. For more information and industry tips, check out other articles on our blog. Start your order today by browsing our online store or give us a call at 281-441-9100 today!