Loading container is often considered less important part of the shipment process. While many tend to think of it as some laborer putting things in a container as per packing list that does not warrant enough attention. We tend to differ! At CIS, we think that loading a furniture container is a very important job. In fact, this represents the last moment when the container will leave the shippers warehouse towards buyer’s destination. A container unloaded properly can cause many potential problems:
- Unbalance load may damage the container
- Heavier packages on top of the light one may damage products
- Improper loading and exposure to elements of the nature may weaken or destroy outer package
What happens when an outer package is wet due to rain?
Most of the outer packages are made of layered kraft paper or cardboard. These boxes offer excellent protective cover and compression strength (ability to load vertically) when dry. However, these properties are greatly diminished once exposed to water. As a result, wet boxes may bulge at the edge when other boxes are stacked on top, in extreme cases they may even burst open.
Rainwater, if seeps in can do serious damage to the contents such as leather goods, wooden products, electronics and electrical parts. So it is best to avoid exposure to rainwater during loading. However, there are times when shipment loading just cannot be stopped. One can make a makeshift roof to reduce exposure of rain while loading container. Here is how it is done.
Rainwater, if seeps in can do serious damage to the contents such as leather goods, wooden products, electronics and electrical parts. So it is best to avoid exposure to rainwater during loading. However, there are times when shipment loading just cannot be stopped. One can make a makeshift roof to reduce exposure of rain while loading container. Here is how it is done.
How to make a temporary tarpaulin roof to avoid rain damage when loading container
- Park your container as close as possible to loading bay to minimize transit time between loading bay and the container.
- Get a roll of tarp or plastic at least 10 feet (3 meter) wide
- Tie two sides to the top of the container
- Tie other two sides of plastic or tarp to the door of the loading bay
- If possible, tie another layer of tarp to a higher wall and container in such way that top layer overlaps the bottom layer.
- This makeshift tarpaulin roof will minimize exposure to rain. Water may accumulate on top of the roof so you may have to drain it intermittently.
- Avoid contact with the tarpaulin roof to any live electric wire
- Remove safely once the container is loaded.