In today’s world of logistics and transportation, the safety of road users should be the highest priority. Under the Australian Heavy Vehicle National Law, the Chain of Responsibility mandates that every person throughout the supply chain is responsible for safety and can be held accountable for any accidents. One key aspect of upholding this responsibility is to properly apply strapping to ensure products remain secure during transport.
First, let’s look at the differences between steel and plastic strapping so you have an idea which one is ideal to use in different situations.
Plastic Strapping
Plastic strapping is made from high quality polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polypropylene (PP). Plastic strapping is known for its flexibility, durability, and resistance to weather and corrosion. Typically, plastic strapping is used for securing lighter loads or products with delicate surfaces, such as boxes or white goods.
Steel Strapping
In contrast, steel strapping is forged from high tensile steel, offering unmatched strength and rigidity. Steel strapping is ideal for securing heavy loads or products with sharp edges like steel coils, machinery, or construction materials. Steel strapping can withstand extreme tension and harsh environmental conditions, ensuring maximum load stability and safety.
To take the guesswork out of strapping you can always reach out to TITAN who can provide an engineered strapping solution customised to your company’s needs.
Once you have established what kind of strapping is applicable for your business you must understand who is responsible for the safe application and maintenance of said strapping. The answer is, under the Australian Heavy Vehicle Law, every role including:
Consignors.
The responsibility begins with the consignors who must ensure that the cargo is secured with suitable strapping based on the weight, dimensions, and nature of the products. The consigner should provide clear instructions to the loaders and packers regarding the correct choice and application of straps to secure the load effectively.
Loaders and packers
Loaders and packers play a pivotal role in implementing effective and efficient strapping. It is their responsibility to utilise the appropriate number of straps distributed around the product in order to keep the load tensioned correctly. It is also the responsibility of loaders and packers to undertake regular inspection and maintenance of strapping equipment to ensure the equipment is performing optimally and can be relied on.
Drivers
Drivers serve as the final line of defence against unsafe loads. They should conduct thorough pre-trip inspections to verify the integrity of the strapping and stability of the load. It is up to the drivers to notice any necessary adjustments or reinforcements to the strapping that may be required to mitigate any risk of the load shifting during transit. The driver can either undertake these adjustments themselves or have the loaders and packers make the changes. Once on the road, following speed limits and safe driving practices will further minimise any risk of the load shifting or cause any strapping to break. Sudden acceleration or braking can put unexpected stress on the straps which could lead to a breakage.
Properly applied strapping minimises the risk of accidents, injuries, and property damage caused by improperly secured loads. Road users, including drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, are protected from the hazards posed by unsecured cargo. Compliance with the Heavy Vehicle National Law is the responsibility of everyone involved in each step of the transportation process. Showing your commitment to responsible shipping encourages trust in both your customers and the shipping companies you work with. You can guarantee that you are taking no shortcuts on safety and meet relevant regulations with Titan Asia Pacific. Titan’s staff have many years of experience designing custom engineered strapping solutions to guarantee businesses are meeting and surpassing compliance requirements with their packaging.