Common Sense?

They only secure load is a printed seal number on the bills with a matching seal on the trailer.

Otherwise you can write the seal number on the bills as you exit the truck to enter the guard shack!
3 Hours, 5 days or 2 continents later after leaving the shipper.

Some of our customers will sign next to a handwritten changed seal number and then send an email to the receiver confirming.
But most will reprint the bills with the new seal number.

Mikeeee

 

We haul both tires and materials to make tires in/out of plants in about 12 states/provinces and the guard at the gate checks the seals of every inbound trailer (or makes us open up to prove it's empty) and every outbound trailer (or makes us open it up to prove it's empty).

I hauled for both the national postal service as well as private courier companies that have a guard checking seals on inbound and outbound loads.

When I hauled reefer, McDonald's stands out as a customer that a manager had to come out with their own bolt cutters and took the cut seals back inside his office.

Every conpany has their own policy in place, if it perturbs you so much, you should consider finding another job that will be less unsettling.

I feel bad for the dock level employees being treated to every trucker's opinions on these policies, since they are almost always decided at management level and if the guard or dock foreman were to bypass these rules in the name of "common sense" it could be his/her job on the line.

I've never worked in upper management in the private sector, but I was an officer in Navy and at times responsible for enacting and supervising directives that were dreamt up by the senior staff and frankly ridiculous. I could voice my concerns, but ultimately this "stuff" rolls downhill and a direct refusal to carry out orders is tantamount to mutiny and severe discipline. Roll with it, or quit. We can always walk away in a free world.

 

Here is the answer to both the OP's questions and all future questions; No one will want to take responsibility for anything and make every effort to put responsibility on the driver. It is always CYA in trucking.

How does this apply to the OP's questions? Well first you have to examine what the 'seal' does. The 'seal' is a device that is used in truckload shipping to imply that the truck driver has not messed with the load. How truckload is supposed to work is, shipper is supposed to load the trailer, driver is supposed to check securement and paper work and seal is to be applied. Seal is to imply to the consignee, shipper, and trucking company that the load has not been tampered with. However no one wants to take that responsibility. Anything missing or damaged they want to claim on the trucking company. Trucking company will pay the claim and blame the driver in all cases; they will not loose a customer.

Now with that in mind, consider how each and every shipper/reciever handles the seal. They all have different procedures. Some don't give two squirts about the seal and will count and access every piece at your expense of time. Some will even have you count every piece. Other's think the seal is gospel and refuse shipment on even seal that looks suspicious. Consider when you are signing documents what they say. Most say they will "prosecute and sue" to reclaim anything they consider missing or damaged and hold the signer liable for everything. Do you want to be the blame for a dock worker stocking his car up everyday at your expense.

What I am saying consider what could go wrong when trying to please a customer with their procedures. All this ####, their rules, are made up. They can and do make them for their benefit. Make sure it is not your detriment.

For example - You pick up a trailer loaded and sealed. Security has you sign the paperwork, with the 'disclaimer you are liable for everything' like it always says. How do you know the dock, security, or even the boss has not helped themselves to a good chunk of that load. Now they are going to expect you to sign a confession to the crime they committed. Make sure it is noted on all the paperwork then in there you did not load, count, or secure that trailer. Some will protest, not give you the paperwork or pull the load from you. So what! Contact your company, get the full name and title of the person you get the response from and put that on the bills too. #### will get ironed out.

 

There a as many diferent ways seals are applied and or signed for as there are shippers and receivers--so not goin there--but I beleive you mentioned no Workmans Comp--thats a deal breaker--EVERY Employer MUST carry workers comp--if your actually does not have it--go--go now--do not pass go