Agency have sent me on a job delivering steel tomorrow. Going to be using a dropside. Any tips on keeping it secure? Probably using straps I would imagine. Thanks!
It depends on the steel,
Plate,
block between the stacks with timbers and straps
Oiled plate
Timber between stacks, Chain and dogs, then strap, then rope then anyhting else you can find
Slab
Strap/chain
Beams
Chain, and stop every hour or so to retighten, especially if it is structural finshed beams
Coil
In a coiler, strap/chain
Not in a coiler… but in a frame
Chain
not in either… go home
Tube
strap/chain use “goal posts”
I’d be the first to admit I’m no expert, but done enough over the years to know you don’t get a second chance if it moves.
So my advice would be to be honest with the company and ask them how it should be secured and loaded, as Rikki has already put different types need different securing methods.
Thanks! I’m used to having it easy with curtainsiders!
Cheers Muckles,
What I posted was a very general overview, the really serious advice is,
speak to the guys who are loading you, they will see 100’s of drivers loading and how they secure the load. never under estimate the warehousemans knowledge.
Listen to their advice, then decide for yourself if what they suggest is enough or if you want to secure it a bit more.
those guys work with steel day and day out, and they will also know which method led to the load being dumped all over the first roundabout.
My only other peice of advice…
No one ever lost lost a load because they over secured it, if in doubt at all add more until YOU are happy. at the end of the day its your load, and your licence and you have to make the decision if you are happy to move it
Part of the joy of being a driver 
I was on steel deliveries for 16 years so if I can be of any assistance please ask.
use Anti-Skid-Matting as well, it does help reduce movement
also go to the useful posts forum, here are some links to sites that will
help,plus go onto The EURO-Sticky,s link area in there are also more links to sites about Load-Lashing , with lots of helpful hints,
If your using chains, check them often. It is likely they would have come loose after the original tightening once the truck moves. If your driving a drop side truck there is little point in securing your load with straps, if the sides are up. All you will do is wreck the sides as the side panels will take nearly all the strain from the straps and little will secure the load. If there are securing rings on the flat bed, use them. If not, secure the load by threading the straps through the gab between the flat bed and the sides hinges.
Think about what will fly through the cab and cut you in half if you break hard. Secure stuff to stop it sliding forward. Look out for sharp edges/corners. They’ll cut through straps like a hot knife through butter, (well almost). If you have sleeves on your straps, use them. Adjust the sleeves to fit over any sharp edges/corners, that is what they’re for. If not find something to pack between the sharp edge and the strap, rags/cardboard.
If you want to check your load security, you could always try moving off at 1mph, then hitting the breaks. See what moves. Are you confident you will survive an emergency stop at 30mph, let alone 50mph?
If not who’s it going to be when a kid runs out into the road, you or the kid?
Recheck the chains, straps, load.
Thanks for all the advice! I had a safe day even if it was a bit boring!
ROG:
I was on steel deliveries for 16 years so if I can be of any assistance please ask.
cough cough,he was asking rog 