The Truckers’ Report flatbed Hall of Shame.

Just a matter of time until I see flip flop foreigner securing a coil with only bungees

 

It's not far off.

 

So many things to consider here. Just curious was this at a shipping point or a receiving point?

 

I’ve seen our local power co (srp) rolling down the interstate with just one strap over the top of those wood reels. kinda surprising as i was always under the impression they were pretty safety-minded, but there is always that one lazy jack-nut that says “I’m only going 4 exits up the road”.,..

 

Well, the straps are crossed over the top, certainly not the best way though. I remember one time I saw a county f-150 pulling one of those on a reel trailer. the trailer tires were in the air and the wood reel was the big tire. Made a loud noise clattering along. Somehow he didn't loose his wire.

 

That was the shipping point. One of our other drivers sent it to me. We did most of their transportation, but occasionally if they had a large quantity to move, they would hire it out to some off the wall shipping company.

The drivers who showed up (as in this case) were usually foreigners who didn't know what they were picking up, barely spoke English and usually didn't have the correct securement equipment.

I spoke with the manager at that location and she told me it was such a common problem that she didn't even worry about it, she would just put the stuff on their trailer and let them figure it out.

That said, I think an uninformed, underprepaired, underequipped driver with a language barrier is bad enough, but a shipper who doesn't give a darn doesn't exactly help the situation.

 

Couple of things.
Note that there are no blocking dunnage on any of the reels. This is a round object on a flat surface. That alone is a securement failure. Plenty of other factors to consider as well.

Here is the second part of the problem. The shipper is not helping here. One thing that they may not be aware of is the secondary liability. If something goes wrong with the load, it gets loose or what ever, the shipper is going to get pulled into the legal battle that will definitely be occurring. Sure, the trucking company will hold first position, but the shipper put it on the trailer. If the transportation company doesn’t have the right equipment, they should have been turned away and or informed of what equipment is needed.

 

One of the problems is that Shippers have become kung-## masters at avoiding liability. CSA was supposed to fix this, but shippers stopped direct contracts with carriers and started using brokers, ensuring a middle man. I cannot think of a single case in the last 20 years where a shipper was nailed to the wall with a nuclear verdict due to employing a negligent carrier. A couple of large brokers have gotten singed a time or two, but that's it.

Want to see accidents plummet? Make every shipper 100% liable for the actions of the carriers hauling their goods.

 

Hope they make it.

 

One of the Major oil company's in the Port of Fourchon La has this policy in place.
When picking up or dropping off hazmat the paper work is in an envelope signed by the rental company doing the work.
Their name is nowhere on the paperwork.
The employees on the ground are all third party employed that load and unload.
They honestly believe they are not responsible for anything because an Ana employee never touches it.