♦ Strapping loads down with suitable nylon woven straps, chains, and tie downs for the particular cargo, and boxes secured or placed safely in the cab of the vehicle. Basically, if you were to turn a properly secured vehicle upside down, nothing should fall off or out of it.
♦ Straps used must be rated for the proper weight of the shipment without any nicks in them that can cause them to break. Ratchets must always be in proper working condition or they will fail. No weak links or corrosion can be allowed on chains used. Nylon woven straps do a superior job in securing a load than chains do in most circumstances. Padding must be placed on sharp edges to prevent the straps from getting cut.
♦ Loads must be evenly and properly balanced.
♦ Gated sides on a courier truck is not typically enough to secure cargo as hitting a pothole, braking abruptly, or turning sharp corners can prove deadly to anyone near the flailing cargo.
♦ Vehicles and equipment should be diligently maintained and undergo regular safety checks.
♦ If you see a driver pull out of your loading area without securing their load, phone their company immediately to report the driver and have them stopped to strap the shipment. Take note of the license plate of the vehicle for large firms for their head office to also deal with the driver's poor practices.