Regarding shipping and transporting products, few problems can be as dangerous and costly to shippers as load shifting. While load shifting can lead to hazardous conditions and damaged products during transit, it can be prevented with the right strapping products, strapping tools, and load-securing practices. At USA Strapping, we provide our customers with the tools and knowledge to safely and securely transport their merchandise across the United States and abroad. Let’s take a closer look at some of the causes of load shifting and how it can be prevented with help from USA Strapping.
Challenges Shifting Loads Cause During Transit
Shifting loads is one of the most common challenges shippers face when delivering their merchandise and products. While it may seem like a minor inconvenience, shifting loads can lead to damaged products, unsafe working conditions, delivery delays, and regulatory violations over time. These challenges can cause a ripple effect throughout your operations, leading to increased returns, damaged products, worker injuries, and even steep fines for regulatory violations. Let’s look at some negatives associated with shifting loads during transit.
Product Damages Caused by Shifting Loads
One of the most immediate and costly challenges caused by shifting loads during transit is product damage. Products not properly secured for transit can change with even the slightest movements, leading to damaged goods and increased returns. Some products like food, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals can become contaminated due to damage from a load shifting, destroying their value. Other products, like liquids, can leak and damage other products in a shipment, leading to even more costly losses. In short, every damaged product is lost revenue, and in many cases, it’s completely avoidable with proper strapping and securement.
Safety Hazards Associated With Shifting Loads
Shifting loads during transit doesn’t just put cargo at risk. They can pose a serious safety hazard for drivers, warehouse workers, and anyone handling the freight. What starts as a minor movement in the trailer can quickly become dangerous or even life-threatening. Drivers may lose control of their vehicle if a load suddenly shifts during braking, throwing off its center of gravity. Heavy loads may fall against the doors of trailers, leading to worker injury when it is time to unload a shipment. Stacks and palletized loads may also lose structural integrity and collapse when workers move them. Injuries sustained as a result of shifting loads can also result in:
- DOT violations
- Fines during roadside inspections
- Litigation as a result of injuries
Proper load securement during transit and storage can significantly reduce these risks.
Delays and Increased Costs From Load Shifting
When a load shifts during transit, it can quickly become a significant, costly expense for your operations. Shifting loads can also increase the returns of damaged and rejected products and place more stress on your workers. Rejected loads must be returned and unloaded, which can be complicated if they must be resecured to move them safely. Delays and increased costs associated with load shifting can quickly add up and start to cut into your profits. Luckily, with the right straps and strapping products, you can prevent these delays and increased costs from impacting your operations.
Stop Shifting Loads With Help From USA Strapping
At USA Strapping, we understand the challenges that shippers face. We have over 24,000 straps and strapping tools at great prices to help you manage load shifting. We proudly price our inventory at a price point that beats the national average by 10% and can supply you with everything you need to operate as efficiently and safely as possible. Contact us today at (888) 768-0001 to learn more about our inventory and bulk discounts.