On any given day, a significant amount of cargo is transported from place to place across Australia by road. If your organisation has to move heavy loads occasionally, this is likely to be your chosen mode of transportation. However, there is a lot of responsibility attached to this type of activity, and you need to take many factors into account if you are planning to try and do this yourself. What do you need to think about?

Understanding the Magnitude

Often times, large loads are considered to be hazardous, and this brings even more responsibility. If you are responsible for dangerous goods, pressurised vehicles or other large components associated with the construction industry, you will need to allow plenty of time to plan for the move.

Proving Yourself

Your early work will involve getting in touch with a variety of different authorities so that you can get the necessary permissions. You need to determine the best time of day and the level of traffic that you may encounter, and it is likely that you will have to make a number of different phone calls to various entities. Before you will be granted permission, these authorities will need to see that you have not just the proper documentation, but also the skill and capability to be able to undertake such a project.

Upgrading Equipment

Do you have the right type of equipment within your fleet to enable you to transport this type of load properly? Typically, a conventional trailer will not do, especially if the load is overly long or heavy. If you have to use extendable trailers, it's likely that you will need an upgraded towing vehicle, as well.

Skills and Training

With all of these "upgraded" tractors and trailers, you may well need a driver with a different set of skills. Do you have these people on your staff already, or will you need to budget for additional training in order to bring them up to speed?

Proper Documentation

Government authorities require that a specific amount of information be gathered whenever pressurised vehicles are moved from point to point. The type of chemical, liquid or gas has to be carefully logged so that it can be checked at various times along the route.

Final Checks

Finally, remember that security is everything when transporting dangerous cargo. Who is going to be responsible for securing the load before it leaves the depot? They will need to source the right type of restraints and make sure that everything is doublechecked before it leaves your property.

Getting Advice

As you can see, these types of project require a lot of planning and capability. Heavy haulage companies are used to this type of movement, however, and you should at the very least have a word with them first, to make sure that you are moving in the right direction.

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