Opal Standard for Loading Palletised Freight in Tautliner Trailers

This procedure establishes a standard for the safe and compliant loading of palletised freight within tautliner trailers, ensuring adherence to legal, safety, and chain of responsibility obligations.

Step 1 of 15

Opal Group has a variety of pallet shapes, weights, and heights; for the purposes of this procedure, all packaged pallets are classified as "Palletised Freight."

Step 2 of 15

<blockquote>
<p><strong>Opal Group LUEZ - Loading, Unloading Exclusion Zone</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Truck and Trailer area <strong>MUST</strong> be a total pedestrian exclusion zone while Forklift is in operation.</p>

Opal Group LUEZ - Loading, Unloading Exclusion Zone

Truck and Trailer area MUST be a total pedestrian exclusion zone while Forklift is in operation.

Step 3 of 15

<blockquote>
<p><strong>All Loads MUST Meet The Australian & New Zealand Loading Performance Standards.</strong></p>
</blockquote>

All Loads MUST Meet The Australian & New Zealand Loading Performance Standards.

Step 4 of 15

<blockquote>
<p><strong>Ratchet</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Standard Ratchet and Drum Winch: Provides a pre-tension force of <strong>300kg/f</strong>. The standard ratchet can be identified by:</p>
<ul>
<li>A push-up mechanism</li>
<li>Large cog teeth</li>
<li>A smaller handle</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>NOT</strong> suitable for paper reel loading.</p>
</blockquote>

Ratchet

Standard Ratchet and Drum Winch: Provides a pre-tension force of 300kg/f. The standard ratchet can be identified by:

A push-up mechanism
Large cog teeth
A smaller handle

NOT suitable for paper reel loading.

Step 5 of 15

<blockquote>
<p><strong>Number of Restraints Required to Meet Loading Performance Standards</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li>Determine the number of restraints needed based on a 300 kg pre-tension force, considering whether the load is <strong>Blocked</strong> or <strong>Unblocked</strong>.</li>
</ul>

Number of Restraints Required to Meet Loading Performance Standards

Determine the number of restraints needed based on a 300 kg pre-tension force, considering whether the load is Blocked or Unblocked.

Step 6 of 15

<blockquote>
<p><strong>Blocked Load</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li>Front to Rear of trailer gap is less than <strong>200mm cumulative</strong>.</li>
<li>Side to Side of trailer gap is less than <strong>100mm cumulative</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Unblocked Load</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li>Any load with gaps exceeding the above Blocked load requirements.</li>
</ul>

Blocked Load

Front to Rear of trailer gap is less than 200mm cumulative.
Side to Side of trailer gap is less than 100mm cumulative.

Unblocked Load

Any load with gaps exceeding the above Blocked load requirements.

Step 7 of 15

<p><strong>DO NOT USE</strong> load restraint webbing that has any signs of damage.</p>

DO NOT USE load restraint webbing that has any signs of damage.

Step 8 of 15

<blockquote>
<p><strong>Edge Protection (Square)</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Should be used to prevent damage to the product from webbing and to enhance the effectiveness of the webbing restraint by distributing the clamping force across a larger surface area.</p>

Edge Protection (Square)

Should be used to prevent damage to the product from webbing and to enhance the effectiveness of the webbing restraint by distributing the clamping force across a larger surface area.

Step 9 of 15

<ul><li><p><strong>Assess -</strong> pallet weights and sizes before loading to ensure fit for purpose vehicle.</p></li><li><p><strong>Minimise -</strong> gaps between pallets and stack heights where possible.</p></li><li><p><strong>Do Not</strong> <strong>-</strong> load on uneven or unstable pallets to prevent load shift.</p></li></ul><p></p>

Assess - pallet weights and sizes before loading to ensure fit for purpose vehicle.
Minimise - gaps between pallets and stack heights where possible.
Do Not - load on uneven or unstable pallets to prevent load shift.

Step 10 of 15

Best Practice - Loading

Block Loading: Begin loading pallets from the front headboard of the trailer, progressing toward the rear.
Ensure there are no gaps between pallets to create a stable block of freight.
Use one (1) webbing restraint per row of pallets to secure the load.

Step 11 of 15

<blockquote><p><strong>Load Restraint (Configuration 1)</strong>:</p></blockquote><ul><li><p>Place one (1) webbing restraint on each pallet row.</p></li></ul><p></p>

Load Restraint (Configuration 1):

Place one (1) webbing restraint on each pallet row.

Step 12 of 15

<blockquote><p><strong>Load Restraint</strong> <strong>(Configuration 2)</strong>:</p></blockquote><ul><li><p>To apply one (1) webbing restraint with edge protection across two (2) pallet rows, the following conditions <strong>MUST</strong> be met:</p></li><li><p><strong>No Gaps:</strong> Ensure no gaps between pallets.</p></li><li><p><strong>Single Layer:</strong> Pallets should be loaded in a single layer.</p></li><li><p><strong>Same Height</strong>: All pallets must be of the same height.</p></li><li><p><strong>Shrink Wrapped:</strong> Pallets must be securely shrink-wrapped.</p></li><li><p><strong>Strapped:</strong> Pallets must be strapped for stability.</p></li><li><p><strong>Combined Mass:</strong> The combined mass of four (4) pallets must not exceed 2300kg.</p></li></ul><p></p>

Load Restraint (Configuration 2):

To apply one (1) webbing restraint with edge protection across two (2) pallet rows, the following conditions MUST be met:
No Gaps: Ensure no gaps between pallets.
Single Layer: Pallets should be loaded in a single layer.
Same Height: All pallets must be of the same height.
Shrink Wrapped: Pallets must be securely shrink-wrapped.
Strapped: Pallets must be strapped for stability.
Combined Mass: The combined mass of four (4) pallets must not exceed 2300kg.

Step 13 of 15

Load Rated Curtains

Are NOT excempt from Load Performance Standards and MUST follow load restraint requirements in Configuration 1 - 2.

Step 14 of 15

<blockquote><p><strong>Stacking Pallets</strong></p></blockquote><ul><li><p>If loading knowledge indicates that a pallet is 'spongey' or has a higher risk of shifting, a second (2nd) webbing restraint should be passed through the stacked pallets.</p></li></ul><p></p>

Stacking Pallets

If loading knowledge indicates that a pallet is 'spongey' or has a higher risk of shifting, a second (2nd) webbing restraint should be passed through the stacked pallets.

Step 15 of 15

<p>Stacked pallets <strong>MUST</strong> be <strong>Blocked</strong> forward by at least half (50%) the height of the pallet infront.</p>

Stacked pallets MUST be Blocked forward by at least half (50%) the height of the pallet infront.