A Quick Guide to Flatbed Trucking

Adam McKinney is a seasoned transportation and logistics leader with a 21-year career in aviation. He has held leadership roles at both Walmart and the US Air Force Reserve. At Walmart, he led a team of over 100 associates and managed an annual operating budget of $23 million. In his role at the US Air Force Reserve, he led 19 professionals in command and control of Air Mobility Command's worldwide operations. His doctoral research at Washington University in St. Louis focuses on government's role in optimizing supply chain resilience and automated transportation policy.

Through this article Adam McKinney, General Transportation Manager, Walmart discusses the critical safety considerations in flatbed trucking. He emphasizes the importance of vehicle inspections, proper load securing, advanced driving skills and comprehensive training for drivers. Adam also highlights the need for standardization in processes and equipment to ensure consistent safety practices.

Safety

Safety is top priority in trucking; flatbed trucking offers a few more challenges. Flatbed drivers need to be aware of the risks and take preventive measures. Some of the safety aspects that drivers need to consider are:

Vehicle inspection and maintenance. As in any trip, drivers need to inspect their vehicles before, during and after each trip, checking the tires, brakes, lights, mirrors, horn, steering, suspension and other components.  Paying special attention to the tie-downs, securement, center-of-gravity and covering of the cargo.

Take special care to ensure that your drivers understand how to take the proper safety precautions (including taking enough time) climbing on and off the flatbed while securing the load and identifying common trouble areas/mistakes to help prevent unnecessary injuries.

Flatbed drivers need to secure their loads using the proper tie-downs and devices, following the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations and the North American Cargo Securement Standard, which specify minimum requirements and performance criteria. Drivers should inspect loads and adjust the devices as needed, covering with tarps, nets or other materials, to protect from the elements.

"Safety is top priority in trucking; flatbed trucking offers a few more challenges. Flatbed drivers need to be aware of the risks and take preventive measures"

Flatbed drivers need advanced driving skills and experience, as they must maneuver and control large, heavy and sometimes unstable vehicles. Drivers should also plan their routes and trips, considering the distance, time, traffic, weather, terrain and road restrictions that could put them into roads that induce unnecessary risk (climb/descent angles, tight curves, city streets, etc). 

Training

Training is essential, it prepares the drivers and other personnel to perform their tasks efficiently and safely.When selecting drivers, consideration of experience level with flatbed trucking and overall safety record is critical. It is quite different from pulling a standard trailer.

The devices and methods available, to include center-of-gravity estimation, are some specialization training concerns. Training should focus on use and application of tarps, straps, chains or other devices and how to adjust; inspecting and monitoring of loads and how to detect and correct any issues that may arise. Moreover, focus on the differences in the checklists and/or walk-around that will need to be used.

Standardization

Standardization ensures consistency and quality; reducing variability and uncertainty that may affect the performance and safety of the drivers and cargo.

Focus should be on walk-around and other inspections, dispatching process involving the drivers certified to drive a flatbed load and understanding what constitutes a correct load (dimension, weight, documentation) and the equipment toolkits that will be necessary for a flatbed load.

Load Security

Load security affects the safety of the cargo and the reputation and profitability of the provider. Load security involves the prevention and protection of the cargo from theft, damage or loss.

It seems obvious, but good load security can deter the theft or tampering of the cargo, by making it difficult or impossible for unauthorized persons to access the cargo.

Route/trip planning is important, as it help the drivers avoid or minimize the exposure of cargo to unsafe or risky situations or locations, such as high-crime areas, congested traffic or isolated places. Route planning will optimize and reduce the need for stops or detours, which may increase the vulnerability of the cargo. Furthermore, it should consider the characteristics of the cargo and the availability of safe and secure parking/rest areas.

Communication and coordination enable the drivers and other personnel to exchange information and feedback, alert and respond to any issues that may affect the security of the cargo. Moreover, this facilitates the verification of the identity and authorization of the drivers, dispatchers, shippers and receivers and the tracking and tracing of the location and status of the cargo. Moreover, it should be reliable, secure devices and channels, such as radios, phones or GPS systems.