Container Handling Tips
A "loaded container" by definition is a container other than in the tare or empty condition, in reference to container handling. Unless otherwise confirmed, containers must be treated as loaded. To be able to maintain safety, when handling or securing containers, environmental conditions like for instance wind must be taken into account. The word loaded is the maximum gross weigh rating of the container. To be able to guarantee that the centre of gravity is kept as central and low as possible, the load has to be evenly distributed all around the container.
To be able to maintain safety, having an evenly distributed load is helpful to prevent lack of vehicle stability, and excessive tilting. An even cargo helps to avoid unacceptable vehicle axle loading, and unacceptable load concentrations.
The eccentricity of the center of gravity differs, with the load distribution in the container. It is very important that the designers of containers and handling machinery consider in the engineering process. For instance, when 60% of the load by mass is distributed in 50 percent of the container length measured from one end of the machinery, the eccentricity corresponds to 5 percent.
To be able to make sure that the machine utilized is right for the cargo, care has to be taken to make certain it is safely attached to the container and that the container is free to be handled. Specific attention should be paid to the possibility of the container tilting because of the eccentricity of the center of gravity. When raising any container whose centre of gravity is eccentric or mobile, like for instance a tank container, a bulk container or a container with a liquid bulk bag or a thermal container with a refrigerating unit, either clip on or integral, or any container with a hanging cargo, extreme care should be taken when lifting these.
A variety of methods for handling containers other than the ones aforementioned could be taken into account, but only after careful assessment of the machinery by means of which the container is to be handled. With respect to worldwide container standards, the methods of operation are foreseen. Safety is vital in every situation and time must be taken before starting in order to make sure all situations are handled in the best possible way and overall efficiency is maintained.