Opal Standard for Loading Cardboard Bales in Walking-Floor Trailers

This procedure establishes a standard for the safe and compliant loading of cardboard bales within Walking-Floor trailers, ensuring adherence to legal, safety, and chain of responsibility obligations.

Step 1 of 9

Recycled Cardboard Bales

• Cardboard bales come in a variety of dimensions and weights.

Step 2 of 9

<blockquote>
<p><strong>Positioning Cardboard Bales</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<p>• Where possible rotate bales to best configuration for Walking-Floor trailer.</p>
<p>• Reducing gaps between bales and height of bale stacks.</p>

Positioning Cardboard Bales

• Where possible rotate bales to best configuration for Walking-Floor trailer.

• Reducing gaps between bales and height of bale stacks.

Step 3 of 9

<p><strong>DO NOT</strong> load bales lengthwise across trailers or place square bales as the last row.</p>
<p>This style of load formations increase the risk of load shift and leaning against the doors during transit.</p>

DO NOT load bales lengthwise across trailers or place square bales as the last row.

This style of load formations increase the risk of load shift and leaning against the doors during transit.

Step 4 of 9

<blockquote>
<p><strong>Positioning Cardboard Bales</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Bales <strong>MUST</strong> be loaded evenly, side by side, before the Walking Floor advances them forward during loading. This ensures minimal gaps within the load.</p>

Positioning Cardboard Bales

Bales MUST be loaded evenly, side by side, before the Walking Floor advances them forward during loading. This ensures minimal gaps within the load.

Step 5 of 9

<p>In walking floor trailer compliance, loading and securing freight relies on effective containment. Load containment means freight is loaded in a way that fully prevents load shifts, eliminating any risk of vehicle instability during transit.</p>

In walking floor trailer compliance, loading and securing freight relies on effective containment. Load containment means freight is loaded in a way that fully prevents load shifts, eliminating any risk of vehicle instability during transit.

Step 6 of 9

<blockquote>
<p><strong>Containment Rule</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li><strong>Front to Back Gap</strong> of no greater than <strong>200mm cumulative</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Sideward Gap</strong> of no great than <strong>100mm cumulative</strong>.</li>
</ul>

Containment Rule

Front to Back Gap of no greater than 200mm cumulative.
Sideward Gap of no great than 100mm cumulative.

Step 7 of 9

<blockquote>
<p><strong>Unloading Walking Floor Trailers</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li>Walking Floor trailers without safety door chains or webbing must not be unloaded.</li>
<li>Before unloading, securely attach chains or webbing to both doors. Then, open the first door slightly for a visual inspection to check if any load shift has occurred or if the load is leaning on the door.</li>
</ul>

Unloading Walking Floor Trailers

Walking Floor trailers without safety door chains or webbing must not be unloaded.
Before unloading, securely attach chains or webbing to both doors. Then, open the first door slightly for a visual inspection to check if any load shift has occurred or if the load is leaning on the door.

Step 8 of 9

<blockquote>
<p><strong>Unloading Walking Floor Trailers (No Load Shift Identified)</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<p>If no bales are leaning against the trailer doors, close the doors, remove the safety chains or webbing, and proceed with the normal unloading process.</p>

Unloading Walking Floor Trailers (No Load Shift Identified)

If no bales are leaning against the trailer doors, close the doors, remove the safety chains or webbing, and proceed with the normal unloading process.

Step 9 of 9

<blockquote>
<p><strong>Unloading Walking Floor Trailers (Load Shift Identified)</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<p>If bales are identified as leaning against the door:</p>
<ul>
<li>Attempt to close the right-hand door, if possible.</li>
<li><strong>DO NOT</strong> proceed with unloading.</li>
<li>Contact the Yard Supervisor immediately.</li>
</ul>

Unloading Walking Floor Trailers (Load Shift Identified)

If bales are identified as leaning against the door:

Attempt to close the right-hand door, if possible.
DO NOT proceed with unloading.
Contact the Yard Supervisor immediately.