Load securement lawsuit pits driver against shipper

The moral to this story is:

Never, ever move a load under any circumstances if you feel the load has not been secured to your satisfaction.
Do not give in to management or dispatch pressure either for it is not their life, health or licence that will be at risk.

 

Load locks are essential for van cargo. I've only see the LTL carriers use them. Trouble is with all the trailer swapping, they get lost or stolen. Always been a problem securing van freight. That's why I always preferred flatbed.

 

Good Points........................

The driver IS responsible, regardless....................


preloaded, presealed, no difference, still YOUR responsibility !!!!!!!!


Yes, you are going to have a problem.....it is just another sucky part of the job !!!

 

Is it SOP to open trailer and inspect the loading(as best you can) all van freight prior to moving?...If not how do you accept liability and responsibility for bad loading?...

 

This is why I like deck work. It is loads more difficult, but, I am the one that decides how the load is secured. I've had shippers try to tell me I only need a chain here and one there to hold a load down. Well, maybe to cover the BARE MINIMUM under regs but that trailer isn't moving 'till I'M happy the load isn't going to shift. I don't care if I am blocking their dock. It's my butt on the line, not theirs.

 

Many loads are pre-sealed.
This case is showing that if the shipper loads the truck and seals it then they are responsible for the securement of the load.

 

And bottom line...........................

the driver will be held responsible !!!!

 

This is Taken from a poem about the railroad, I found it appropriate here.

"It's not my job to run off steam or even clang the bell, but let the #### thing jump the track and see who catches hell! "

Drivers, it is always our fault!!!

 

when i get stopped for checks(rare) or pulled in to a scale and they pull me around (also rare). when they open the trailer i am asked and the bills are marked as shipper load and sealed by shipper. the authorities have had me secure the load. but have been told that if the bol was not marked in that way i would have been on the hook...