Folge 62: Fahrzeugkontrollen – So vermeiden Sie Mängel

In shipping companies, incoming inspections of vehicles used to transport goods are a recurring topic of discussion. It often starts with the statement: no, I don’t have to check because this is only mandatory for dangerous goods. We don’t have any dangerous goods, so we don’t have to check them.

I look at this discussion from a different angle and ask the question: Does the condition of the vehicle and its quality correspond to the price to be paid for the transportation service? Of course, this presupposes that the requirements for the transportation service are defined so that offers can be compared. A specification must therefore be drawn up for the vehicle, its condition and its equipment, depending on the products to be transported.

Transport quality as part of delivery reliability

This should also be done to ensure that agreements with customers regarding delivery reliability and product quality can be met. Delivery reliability cannot be maintained, for example, if the inspection authorities prohibit the onward journey due to defects in the vehicle or insufficient load securing, or if the inspection is unnecessarily protracted.

The vehicles should therefore be checked in their own interest and not just because the legislator prescribes it under certain conditions.

High quality standards do not end at the factory door

Quite a few companies have very high quality standards for their products. However, this standard is often no longer maintained after the final inspection in production. Savings are then made on the quality of the means of transport, the process organization and the deployment of personnel.

After loading, there is an incalculable risk that the customer/recipient will not receive the goods in the condition in which they were ordered, or that they will receive them late or not at all. All of this leads to consultations, complaints, price reductions and, in the worst case, the customer is lost as a business partner. This situation should not be tolerated by any company.

To be clear from the outset, the inspection is a visual inspection and not a TÜV inspection. It is about features that are obvious.

The general impression conveyed by the transport vehicle should guide further measures.

The two pictures give a bad impression, which was reinforced on further inspection. Such vehicles are also noticed by the inspection authorities, are checked and, if necessary, immobilized.

A vehicle and equipment specification should contain at least the following points:

1. body type/vehicle type: box body, refrigerated body, sliding tarpaulin, dropside vehicle
2. Body strength according to EN-12642 Code XL, if form-fit loading is possible
3. Number of lashing eyes on both sides in accordance with EN-12640 or perforated strip, if form-fit loading is not possible and additional securing is required.
4. Number and type of securing devices

• Information on LC and STF
• Long lever pull ratchet
• Two edge gliders (edge protection corners) per belt
• Number and type of anti-slip mats (in accordance with VDI-2700 Sheet 14) per pallet space
• Other securing devices; e.g: Barrier beam system (BC=4,000daN per beam) for securing to the rear
• Deviations can be compensated by replacement/supplementary purchase.

5. the vehicle must comply with the requirements of the StVO and StVZO in terms of condition and road safety.
6. reference to features that lead to the rejection of the vehicle

• Deviations from points 1 to 5
• Damage to the vehicle that could cause the inspection authority to take action
• Damage to the vehicle that may affect product quality during transportation.
• Uncooperative behavior of the driver

What should you pay particular attention to during the vehicle inspection?

• Damage to load-bearing parts of the vehicle/body frame
• Repairs not carried out or carried out improperly
• Damage to the batten pockets, or their absence, which makes it impossible or difficult to position the insertion slats correctly and thus to secure them positively. The load could be damaged by defective batten pockets.
• Damaged or worn tires, which could lead to the prohibition of further driving.

The drivers are also part of quality assurance

A word about the quality of the driver. The driver is the representative of the freight forwarder or carrier vis-à-vis the client. It is unacceptable for them to behave in an uncooperative, sexist or any other way that is not in keeping with normal manners.

The loading personnel can represent the owner’s domiciliary rights vis-à-vis the drivers. Due to their better knowledge of the load and its securing, the loading personnel should take the lead in the loading process and involve the driver in a cooperative manner.

Conclusion: take responsibility and minimize risks

My thoughts are intended to encourage you to take a closer look at this topic and reduce the general risk during the transportation phase for everyone involved. They are all based on specific examples/incidents from almost 30 years of practical experience in the shipper industry.

Tackle it, it can only get better!

Yours, Sigurd Ehringer