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On Road Cartage Operations

By on October 23, 2013

Transportation of materials is a major part of quarry operations. Below is an extract from the CMPA’s WORK SAFELY REFERENCE MANUAL providing handy hints on managing cartage operations on your work site.

CHAIN OF RESPONSIBILITY

All parties in the transport chain, not just the driver and operator, can be held responsible for breaches of road laws, including:

  • Consigning – a person or company commissioning the carrying of goods
  • Packing – placing goods in packages, containers or pallets
  • Loading – placing or restraining the load on a vehicle
  • Driving – the physical act of driving a heavy vehicle
  • Operating – operating a business which controls the use of a heavy vehicle
  • Receiving – paying for the goods/taking possession of the load

Everyone from the loader operator to the customer has responsibility.

LOADING ON SITE

Failure to obey basic safety instructions whilst on site may result in injury or damage to property and incur penalties. When a cartage vehicle enters, it is appropriate to:

  • Limit use of engine brakes
  • Wait for approval from the Weighbridge Officer before moving to the stockpile or loading area
  • Obey nominated speed limits at all times

Whilst loading at a site it is necessary to:

  • Comply with the sales loader operator’s instructions when positioning the truck for loading
  • Seek permission from the sales loader operator if you wish to leave the cabin whilst in the stockpile area
  • Never get out of the cabin while loading or tipping is taking place, tailgate mechanisms are to be operated from the cabin or under supervision of competent site personnel
Goulburn Valley Resources

LEAVING THE SITE

Before leaving the site:

  • Comply with weighbridge speed signs
  • Ensure correct weight is loaded

DO NOT alter tare weights and NEVER overload.

  • Inspect the vehicle body, drawbars, combing rails and truck body for spills
  • Use tailgate locks if there is risk of load spillage
  • Where available, go through the wash area to dislodge dust from the underside of the truck body
  • Loads must be secure and should not exceed the height of the truck body
  • Level loads in the designated area (consider a raised access platform instead of climbing onto the truck body)
  • Tarpaulins or covers must be used when fine materials are being transported
  • Tarpaulins should only be put in place from ground level unless there are approved work platforms available to carry out this task safely

Poorly loaded, uncovered, overloaded or insecure loads may result in:

  • Loss of vehicle control
  • Spillage or spraying of materials over other vehicles and property
  • Fines from Police or other traffic enforcement Authorities
  • Customer complaints
  • Losses to the operation
  • Mechanical or structural failure of the unit during delivery or when tipping off

DELIVERY

When delivering material to a customer, it is important to:

  • Never enter an area where you are not sure of the site conditions
  • Always confirm with the customer that the material and tip point is correct BEFORE unloading
  • Always ensure area is secure and level before tipping off
  • Never tip the load off or spread it under overhead powerlines
  • Look up for obstructions before tipping
  • Never travel over curbs or footpaths if they are not prepared
  • Never tip on unstable ground
  • Never tip where high winds could tip body over.

For further information, visit the VicRoads website at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

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