Container Handling Suggestions
The meaning of a "loaded container" for the purpose of container handling and securing; 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 securing or handling containers, environmental conditions like for instance wind has to be considered. The word loaded is the maximum gross weigh rating of the container. To be able to ensure that the centre of gravity is kept as low and central as possible, the cargo should be distributed throughout the container.
In order to maintain safety, having an equally distributed cargo is helpful to avoid excessive tilting, and lack of vehicle stability. A cargo that is even 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 containers and handling machinery consider in the engineering process. Like for instance, when 60 percent of the load by mass is distributed in 50% of the length of the container measured from one end of the machine, the eccentricity corresponds to 5%.
Make certain 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 certain that the machine utilized is right for the load. Specific attention needs to be paid to the risk of the container tilting because of the eccentricity of the center of gravity. When lifting any container whose centre of gravity is mobile or eccentric, 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 load, extreme care should be taken when raising these.
A variety of methods for handling containers other than the ones aforementioned may be taken into account, but only after careful assessment of the machinery by means of which the container is to be handled. With respect to international container standards, the methods of operation are envisaged. Safety is vital in each and every situation and time must be taken before starting in order to make certain overall efficiency is maintained and all situations are handled in the best possible way.