Container Handling Suggestions
The meaning of a "loaded container" for the purpose of securing and container handling; is a container other than in the tare or empty condition. Containers should be treated as loaded, unless otherwise confirmed. To be able to maintain safety, when handling or securing containers, environmental conditions like wind must be taken into consideration. The term loaded is the container's maximum gross weigh rating. In order to make sure that the centre of gravity is kept as central and low as possible, the load must be equally distributed throughout the container.
Having an equally distributed cargo it is advantageous to prevent lack of vehicle stability, and excessive tilting, so as to maintain safety. An even load helps to prevent unacceptable vehicle axle loading, and unacceptable load concentrations.
With the load distribution in the container, the eccentricity of the center of gravity differs. It is extremely essential that the designers of handling machinery and containers take this into consideration during the engineering process. For instance, when 60 percent of the load by mass is distributed in 50 percent of the container length measured from one end of the machinery, the eccentricity corresponds to 5 percent.
Make sure that the container is free to be handled and care needs to be taken to make certain it is safely attached to the container, in order to make sure that the machine utilized is perfect for the cargo. Specific attention should be paid to the risk of the container tilting due to the eccentricity of the center of gravity. When lifting any container whose centre of gravity is mobile or eccentric, such as a tank container, a bulk container or a container with a liquid bulk bag or a thermal container with a refrigerating unit, either integral or clip on, or any container with a hanging load, extreme care should be taken when raising these.
Different methods for handling containers other than the ones aforementioned can be taken into account, but just after careful assessment of the machinery by means of which the container is to be handled. With regards to international container standards, the methods of operation are envisaged. Safety is paramount in each and every situation and time must be taken prior to starting in order to make certain overall efficiency is maintained and all situations are handled in the best way possible.