{"id":380,"date":"2019-09-18T08:00:19","date_gmt":"2019-09-18T06:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.3dbinpacking.com\/?p=380"},"modified":"2019-10-03T14:21:34","modified_gmt":"2019-10-03T12:21:34","slug":"secure-fastening-of-the-load-for-transport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.3dbinpacking.com\/en\/secure-fastening-of-the-load-for-transport\/","title":{"rendered":"Don’t get killed by a package. Secure fastening of the load for transport"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
A moment after the start, the giant Jumbo Jet raises its nose and takes off in a steep ascent. Immediately afterwards, it loses its thrust, rolls over to the wing and plummets into the ground. The hull gets lost in flames. Like in the movies. Except that this crash really happened in 2013, at Kabul<\/strong> (<\/em> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7sUWC2jfjqI<\/em><\/a>). Nobody survived and the machine was completely destroyed. The cause? Shifting cargo \u2013 poorly strapped down armoured military vehicles which shifted to the plane’s tail as it took off. The pilots didn’t have a chance to control the machine.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Shifting of the load or its incorrect placement pose the greatest hazards in air and sea transport. Air or sea shipments are subject to more stringent control which is in direct proportion to the risks and potential losses in the case of a crash. And still spectacular disasters occur almost every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, it is road transport that is the absolute crash record holder. It is much easier to make mistakes while loading and unloading cargo in road transport as there are no stringent rules and a road transport controlling agency in any given country is not able to check all the lorries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Why can a load which is not immobilised be so dangerous? For two reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is crucial to determine the vehicle’s centre of gravity in order to secure its stability and thus safety on the roads. Leaving out detailed calculations, the general rule to achieve maximum vehicle stability is to place the load in such a manner so that the centre of gravity of the load is kept as low as practicable and as close to the vehicle’s centre of gravity as possible. So packaging algorithms may be very helpful in the process of determining the best arrangement of goods (“Tetris for professionals, or the benefits of packing with an algorithm”<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n A load with an even weight distribution must then be secured against moving – otherwise the centre of gravity set at a standstill cannot be maintained. “I did not believe such a huge steamer could have turned over on its side in perfectly calm water, in excellent weather, with no explosion, no fire, nothing. I thought I had gone crazy.” wrote Jack Woodford, an eyewitness to the sinking of Eastland SS at the port of Chicago in 1915. There were 2,752 passengers on the ship, some of whom, to watch the rowing contest taking place, moved to the left side of the ship. A moment later, the ship rolled over and went down. 844 people died in the disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s difficult to control people. It is much easier to cope with the lashing of goods as there is a really wide selection of methods and materials available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The most common ways of immobilising goods are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It seems obvious that the load should be properly fastened. However, it is very often neglected, or even ignored. It is so common that every year inspectors issue several thousand tickets for incorrect fixing or exceeding permissible laden mass or vehicle load capacity. The maximum penalty is a fine of PLN 500, which, importantly, is paid by the driver, not the carrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, there is another price to pay when there is not even basic cargo securing. The lack of at least lashing straps, or in the case of a heavier load lashing chains, or their improper use led to a rollover or crushing of the driver’s cab whilst braking. Material losses (lost goods, damaged cars, insurance paid to victims) amount to tens and often hundreds of thousands of euros. You cannot put a price on human life. Unless we sum up all the 500 zlotys fines which had been paid before the tragedy occurred and which still didn’t get anybody thinking.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A moment after the start, the giant Jumbo Jet raises its nose and takes off in a steep ascent. Immediately afterwards, it loses its thrust, rolls over to the wing and plummets into the ground. The hull gets lost in flames. Like in the movies. Except that this crash really happened in 2013, at Kabul … <\/p>\nCentre of gravity \u2013 the invisible perpetrator<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nPut it on the chain, net it, put it on a mat<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
500 and we’re done?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n