Load securing

LOAD SECURING

Importance of proper Load Securing

cargo damage because of improperly secured cargo

The purpose of this article is to explain the importance and benefits of proper load securing. According to the European Commission Transportation Department “it has been estimated that up to 25% of accidents involving trucks can be attributable to inadequate cargo securing”. Cargo that is improperly secured can cause severe accidents and lead to the loss of cargo, the loss of lives, the loss of vehicles, ships and airplane; not to mention the environmental hazards it can cause.

Globalization

Because of Globalization, the subsequent flow of goods that are transported over greater distances, containerization and new regulatory measures will lead to a greater demand for efficient, cost effective and environmentally friendly cargo restraint products.

Methods of Load Securing

There are many different ways and materials available to stabilize and secure cargo in the various modes of transportation. Conventional load restraint methods and materials such as steel banding and wood blocking & bracing have been around for decades and are still widely used. This article however will focus more on the use of several, relatively new and unknown options that have become available through innovation and technological advancement including polyester strapping and -lashing, synthetic webbings and dunnage bags, also known as air bags. This article will not explain the use of steel banding, because of the fact that steel banding frequently causes injury to the people on the receiving end of the shipment.

Polyester Strapping

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Polyester Corded Strapping

Polyester Strapping and Dunnage Bag application

The benefits of polyester strapping are numerous. It protects emplyees and customers from injuries, while providing maximum load containment strength. It will not damage forklift tires, neither will it cause damage to the load it secures. It protects the most sensitive products, does not rust, corrode or stain the products. Polyester strapping is as strong as steel, however it needs more energy to break. The texture of polyester strapping is soft and flexible, therefore it is safe to use on all surfaces, it minimizes waste and has an easy, low volume disposal. Polyester strapping is environmentally friendly and recyclable. The shock absorbency is excellent and the strapping will not loose tension if the load contracts or expands during transport. The tooling cost is very low, and in some cases the strap can even be re-used.

3 types of Polyester Strapping

Composite Strapping

The latest development, technology and most commonly used non-metallic strapping is called Composite Strapping. Composite Strapping is made from High Tenacity Polyester Filament yarns that are embedded in a polymer coating. In the load securing industry it is often referred to as “synthetic steel”. In addition to combining all the benefits of bonded and woven polyester strapping, Composite Strapping offers several other advantages such as high abrasion resistance and the highest possible joint efficiency in the buckle. Both advantages are not affected by climate.

Woven Strapping

Woven strapping is cross-weaved. This cross-weave prevents the strap from splitting. Woven Strapping is manufactured from the same high tenacity polyester yarn as Composite Strapping. Woven Strapping is a very flexible load securing material.

Bonded Weather Guard

This polyester strap is bonded in hot melt glue, making this product completely weather-proof. This is sometimes preferred in colder climates.

Polyester Lashing

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Polyester Lashing

Polyester Lashing application

The benefits of polyester lashing are numerous. It is a soft and flexible product and safe to handle and apply. Polyester lashing prevents transit damage which in return reduces insurance claims. It is a easy and fast to use product, suitable in all modes of transportation (rail, road and sea). Using polyester lashing generates cost savings in materials, labor and injury prevention. Polyester lashing has a high breaking strength and high shock absorbing capacity, keeping lashing tight at all times eliminating the need for dangerous re-tightening at sea. Polyester lashing is light weight, portable and weatherproof. It will not deteriorate and is corrosion resistant. It is an inexpensive product with extreme low maintenance tooling.

2 types of Polyester lashing

Composite Lashing

Composite Lashing offers the latest technology in non-metallic, flexible lashing and is most commonly used. Composite lashing is widely used to secure cargo in railcars, trucks and ISO containers. Composite Lashing is available in various widths and strengths up to 11,000 lbs. They can be used for various commodities, such as chemicals, machinery, paper reels and food goods. The breaking strength for all composite lashings should be independently certified by Germanischer Lloyd and adhere to European and US Railway regulations.

Woven Polyester Lashing

This lashing can be used to secure cargo in excess of 100 metric tons. It is manufactured from high tenacity polyester yarn. Woven Lashing can replace conventional load –restraint products such as heavy duty steel banding, wire rope, chains, ratchet straps. Woven Lashing also reduces or eliminates the need for wood blocking and bracing. Because of the webbing structure, this lashing is extremely easy to work with, even in the most confined spaces. This product is very safe to use. The shock absorbance characteristics of Woven Lashing are far superior to any other load securing material, as it keeps the lashing secure through the most rugged transit. Woven Lashing is closed by specially developed buckles and buckle hooks – followed by being tensioned with a manually operated tensioning tool or pneumatic tensioning tool.

Dunnage Bags

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Dunnage Bags

Dunnage bag application in container

Dunnage Bags, also known as airbags, were introduced some 40 years ago as a convenient, fast and cost effective alternative to secure and stabilize cargo in ISO sea-containers, closed railcars, trucks and (ocean going-) vessels.

Dunnage bags are relatively inexpensive compared to traditional wood blocking & bracing and have the added benefits of reducing loading times and have less of an impact on the environment as they can be recycled. Some manufacturers also offer dunnage bags that are equipped with valves that enable shippers to deflate and re-use the dunnage bags.

The purpose of dunnage bags is often misunderstood when they are considered as a void filler only to prevent lateral movement of cargo. When properly applied however, dunnage bags form a 3-dimensional bulkhead of the cargo itself preventing both lateral and longitudinal movement.

Whereas strapping and lashing is often used to secure odd-shaped cargo such as machinery, structures, vehicles etcetera, Dunnage Bags are mostly used for homogeneous shaped cargo such as food & beverage products, electronics and appliances and roll paper. Often, strapping/lashing and dunnage bags are used in combination to secure chemical products. It should be noted however that Dunnage Bags are not approved for rail transportation of hazardous materials in the United States. The first type of Dunnage Bags introduced to the market were Paper Dunnage Bags, constructed from an airtight polyethylene bladder and reinforced with a single-, or multiple layers of kraft paper on the outside that provide the strength. Depending on the application and required working pressure and strength, they come in 1- 6 ply layers. Paper dunnage bags come in a wide variety of different strengths and sizes. Since the kraft paper outer layer(s) can be susceptible to moisture, paper dunnage Bags are sometimes used in combination with desiccants that prevent condensation that can occur when especially ISO sea containers travel through changing climate zones. Another solution to this problem is to apply a polyethylene coating to the outer layer of kraft paper although this usually comes at an additional expense and makes it more difficult to recycle the dunnage bag. Moisture related problems also were one of the reasons for manufacturers to develop Woven Polypropylene dunnage Bags. Woven Polypropylene Dunnage Bags or “Polywoven Dunnage Bags” are constructed of the same polyethylene bladder to retain the air, but are reinforced on the outside with a layer of tightly woven polypropylene fibers. The thickness and/or weight of the outside layer varies depending on the required working pressure and strength. Besides being unaffected by moisture, Woven Polypropylene bags are extremely durable and have a higher puncture and abrasion resistance. Just like paper bags, these bags come in different strengths and sizes and, depending on the manufacturer, are equipped with one-way or re-usable valves. Relatively new to the market are Polypropylene Paper Laminated Bags that are basically a combination of paper Dunnage Bags and Woven Polypropylene bags. Polypropylene Paper Laminate (PPL) Dunnage Bags again have an airtight PE bladder and, usually a single, layer of kraft paper that is laminated on the inside with a layer of woven polypropylene. PPL Dunnage Bags are most commonly used for light- to medium weight cargo in ISO sea-containers.

The choice of the type and size of dunnage bag to use depends on numerous factors including the cargo weight, mode of transportation, nature of the cargo, width of the void it is used in, pallet dimensions, loading patterns and international and local regulations. Governing bodies like the Association of American Railroads (AAR), the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) who governs ocean transportation have set minimum performance standards for Dunnage Bags or can provide further detailed information.

External links

• Load Securing Supplier
• Germanischer Lloyd
• Association American Railroad
• International Maritime Organization
• European Office for Safety and Health