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 must be treated as loaded, unless otherwise confirmed. To be able to maintain safety, when securing or handling containers, environmental conditions like for example wind need to be considered. The word loaded is the maximum gross weigh rating of the container. In order to guarantee that the centre of gravity is kept as central and low as possible, the cargo must be evenly distributed all around the container.
Having an equally distributed cargo it is helpful to prevent excessive tilting, and lack of vehicle stability, in order to maintain safety. An even cargo helps to avoid unacceptable load concentrations, and unacceptable vehicle axle loading.
With the load distribution within the container, the eccentricity of the center of gravity differs. It is very important that the designers of handling machines and containers take this into consideration in the engineering process. Like for example, when 60% of the load by mass is distributed in 50 percent of the container length measured from one end of the machine, the eccentricity corresponds to 5 percent.
To be able to make certain that the machinery used is perfect for the load, care needs to be taken to make certain it is safely attached to the container and that the container is free to be handled. Particular attention should be paid to the possibility of the container tilting due to the eccentricity of the center of gravity. When lifting any container whose centre of gravity is eccentric or mobile, like for instance a tank container, a bulk container or a container with a liquid bulk bag or a thermal container with a refrigerating unit, either clip on or integral, or any container with a hanging cargo, great care needs to be taken when lifting these.
There are numerous methods for using handling containers which can be taken into consideration. Nevertheless, there needs to be an assessment of the machine means by which the container is to be utilized. With regards to global container standards, the methods of operation are foreseen. Safety is vital in every situation and time needs to be taken before starting in order to make certain all situations are handled in the best way possible and overall efficiency is maintained.