Essential Safety Tips For Transporting Heavy Machinery

Transportation vehicles are used to relocate a variety of goods on a daily basis, where they are designed to carry materials across vast distances whilst maintaining the safety of other vehicles on the road. This is achieved through the efforts of skilled workers and with the assistance of purpose made supports, ropes, buckles and containers, all of which keep goods in place whilst they are transported.

In addition to small containers and goods, large machinery also needs to be transported so it can be delivered wherever it is needed. Often cranes, plant machinery and boats are manufactured at a distance from where they will be utilised, meaning safe heavy haulage methods must be implemented to deal with this. 

Read on for a look at some of the top strategies employed by machinery haulage companies to help make journeys safer.

Route Planning

Before a haulage vehicle sets out on a delivery journey, lots of time and effort will go into planning the route. This will include an assessment of roads, bridges and tunnels to see what height or width restrictions are in place. Route planning will also encompass potential weather conditions and how these may affect the journey.

Secure Loading

Heavy machinery must be properly secured to the transportation vehicle to ensure a safe journey. Straps and ties should be applied carefully and tightened according to strict guidelines, where all staff must undergo adequate training to prepare them for this detail-oriented task.

Escort Vehicles

Some roads and motorways will have regulations in place which state that an escorting vehicle must accompany the haulage truck. These guiding vehicles can be used to alert other drivers to an oncoming vehicle or to help the truck driver to control the transportation vehicle.

Inspections & Checks

Another important aspect of heavy haulage preparation is carrying out inspections to ensure that everything is loaded safely. The vehicle’s straps and ties should always be inspected for breakages or weak points, and the truck as a whole should undergo regular services to spot potential problems before a journey begins.

Nick Sampson: Dependable Plant Haulage Services 

At Nick Sampson, we offer a variety of machinery moving and transportation services, where our drivers always prioritise safety when it comes to heavy haulage. Our team can provide crane transport, boat delivery and a range of other relocation options to help meet the needs of your project. Get in touch with us today to find out more about our approach to plant haulage.