Timber Haulage \ Stacking in Ports

Creel Maritime Safety Bulletin

A recent quayside event emphasised the importance of traveling with a safe / secure load when delivering timber to ports.

A new to the sector HGV driver noted a car had pulled out in front of the truck at a junction. This caused heavy braking, a set of bolsters and middle bay of timber slid towards the front of the trailer, with timber sliding out with the rear set of retaining bolsters. The logs were hanging precariously out with the bolster pins to the side of the truck and trailer.
Driver had stopped, inspected the load, and added additional securing straps before proceeding. Although it was only a short distance (c 2.5 miles) to the port, the truck should not have moved with an unsafe load.
On arrival to the quay the driver was advised to park away from other operations and “Not to touch the straps restraining the load, only to cut them with a knife from the offside in a safe zone”.
Once the additional straps were cut the bolster of logs cascaded to the side of the truck in a safe and observed manner.

The implications could have been very serious - Drivers can receive an unlimited fine, be banned from driving and get penalty points on their driving licence for driving with an insecure load.

Read the full bulletin below for more on load restraints and other recommendations.

This bulletin received from Creel Maritime Ltd starkly highlights the need for continued vigilance on timber strapping, load security and the need for training of new entrants to the industry. See the links below for the Road Haulage CoP 5th edition and its strapping detail and the full suite of FISA Haulage safety videos – a great resource for drivers and FWM’s alike. Timber travelling to market is part of the supply chain most seen by the public – the industry needs to get it right.