Before goods reach the hands of customers, they must travel a very long way. The elements that make up the delivery of products to the recipient, include loading and unloading of goods. In this post we will focus all our attention on these two elements.
Loading and unloading are two activities that can generate serious errors, where even the smallest one can cause very large losses, which is why it is so important that these two elements function without any interference.
Who is responsible for unloading and loading the goods?
The responsibility for unloading the goods in most cases lies with the logistics operator. It is his responsibility to ensure that the goods are unloaded safely, in accordance with all documents. Here, the logistics operator must carefully check everything so as to catch any errors that were not his fault. In the case of loading, the responsibility also lies with the logistics operator. The goods must be loaded in accordance with procedures and customer expectations. The role of the person responsible for transporting the goods, the carrier, is also not insignificant. Its duties include, in addition to the safe delivery of products from point A to point B, supervising the loading and unloading process, as well as informing and reacting when irregularities occur.
What should be kept in mind when implementing the loading and unloading of goods?
Proper loading and unloading of goods refers, of course, to getting the right goods to the right place, but not only this aspect is important. It is important to remember that proper loading and unloading affects the safety of the products, the vehicle driver and other traffic participants. Therefore, it should be carried out in accordance with the established procedure, properly secure and immobilize the goods for transport.
The most important thing during loading is not to allow the vehicle to be overloaded. Irregularities in this regard not only include financial penalties, but pose a real danger to traffic participants. An overloaded vehicle has worse handling, and its braking distance is significantly extended. Another important aspect is the distribution of goods, which should be placed in the semi-trailer in such a way that they do not weigh down one side of the vehicle, since a vehicle with poorly distributed goods can, for example, roll over while driving. A WMS system, such as the one we are currently implementing at LCL Logistic, can help with proper product placement. We can configure the system to plan the loading sequence in the most efficient way and in accordance with the DMC of the vehicle being loaded. Another important aspect is the proper securing of goods against movement, but you can read more about this aspect in How to properly secure cargo in transport?
The smooth execution of loading and unloading is, of course, influenced by the planning of the entire action, so that there is no downtime and the whole process runs very smoothly. The use of specialized machinery, such as forklifts, which significantly contribute to reducing the time of loading and unloading. It is worth noting here that the solution used by LCL Logistic, i.e. forklifts with extended fork length, which allows 2-3 pallets to be moved simultaneously instead of one, which significantly reduces the time of the entire loading and unloading process.
Do not forget that each person in the team whose duties include unloading and loading of goods should have the knowledge of how to perform these activities correctly, so as to eliminate possible errors that can result in long delays and thus financial losses.
Unloading and loading of goods vs. logistics operator
In summary, unloading and loading of goods are two elements that are integral to the supply chain. If they are done correctly, the order process can be carried out quickly and products can be delivered safely to their destination. Using the services of a professional logistics operator, allows you to ensure proper loading and unloading, giving you a guarantee that the service will be performed at the highest possible level.
