Unloading Rules

jay1966

Active Expediter
I've been encountering deliveries where the receivers are refusing to drag pallets from the middle of the van. For some time I've used a tow rope to drag with no issues but now I'm hearing there may be new OSHA rules prohibiting pallet dragging.

Has anyone encountered problems, read the new rules, or got any solutions?
 

vanman10x2

Seasoned Expediter
Owner/Operator
Wow! I have pallets dragged from the middle of my van quite often, as even when I just have 1 pallet I have it push past my axle. I hope thats not a future new issue problem.

Sent from my MB612 using Tapatalk 2
 

xiggi

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Wow! I have pallets dragged from the middle of my van quite often, as even when I just have 1 pallet I have it push past my axle. I hope thats not a future new issue problem.

Sent from my MB612 using Tapatalk 2

Never refused might have heard griping a couple times over the year. Just ask the if there is a light pole around your gonna use it to drag their pallet to the back for them

Sent from my Fisher Price - ABC 123
 

jay1966

Active Expediter
I first encountered the issue at a Walmart Facility. The guy unloaded the first but refused to touch the second. I finally got authorization ( and pay)to hand move the freight to an empty pallet. The guys suggestion was to tie the rope to a tree somewhere and drive till the pallet was at the back of the van, unsafe at best.
A few days later I deliver three skids to an Auto plant and the forklift driver says he's not supposed to drag pallets due to OSHA but " will do it this time."
 

blizzard2014

Veteran Expediter
Driver
use a chain Rop around the skid tie to a post and floor it problem solved:D

I know someone who tried that in a Wal-Mart parking lot and the guy used the metal lamp post instead of the concrete pillar. Can you guess what happened to his truck? A light pole came slamming down on top of his box truck and bent the roof of his cab and put a crease in the box. lol
 

jay1966

Active Expediter
use a chain Rop around the skid tie to a post and floor it problem solved:D
Lol indeed, if you consider the situation that you have 3 skids, the forklift takes the first one. You drive around and find a pole, drag skid 2 to the back. Drive back to the door and let forklift take the pallet.
Now drive back to the pole, drag skid3 and then back up to the door again.
You have wasted 30 minutes of your and the forklift drivers time for a 5 minute job
 

blizzard2014

Veteran Expediter
Driver
I'm inventing a wench that bolts to the back of the van and will be used to move the pallets! How about that! The pallet slider (TM).
 

jay1966

Active Expediter
I'm inventing a wench that bolts to the back of the van and will be used to move the pallets! How about that! The pallet slider (TM).

So your bolting a woman to the back of the van, and making her drag the pallets?
Now that's thinking outside the box, I like it!
Lol
 

Slo-Ride

Veteran Expediter
Has anyone encountered problems, read the new rules, or got any solutions?

Encountered proplem: Nope
Read the new rules: Nope
Solution: Close your doors after they refuse the freight. Contact dispatch and inform them they are refusing to unload freight. Ask what Xdock they want to pay you to go to or whats the load offer paying to take it back where it came from. Im thinking someone will unload it shortly afterwards. But remember,,Be polite this could turn into some good wait time for the truck maybe.
 

AMonger

Veteran Expediter
This might not work if it truly is an OSHA reg. Once again, gummint screws everybody. The more things change, the more things stay the same.
 

guido4475

Not a Member
I really wonder if this is a result of those less experienced and too cheap to buy the proper equipment to do the job properly in the first place.What I mean is, I cannot tell you how many times I have seen vanners, cubers, come in, and have 4 metal racks/tubs secured to the walls with those red 1" ratchet straps often found at Wal-Mart, in a multi-pack, with plastic hooks on the ends.That'll do alot of good..lol..And then, they tie them together, the red straps, and expect them to pull a tub/basket. I think that in doing so, the strap has broke while being pulled, and hopefully a near-miss to the forklift driver by a flying strap. First of all, it is the carriers fault for not making sure their drivers have the proper equipment. Like e-track.And second of all, the forklift driver should of never even trusted a piece of strap that thin and small to begin with. I was told that is what happened at Sharonville Ford, when I was there, that that's why they don't drag pallats anymore on a van.Get a good, solid chain, with a tow hook on the end of it.Can't go wrong that way.
 

jay1966

Active Expediter
While the Driver bears some responsibility for equipment if a Receiver who works with hot loads and knows they aren't going to drag pallets they should obtain a forklift with long forks that can reach a second pallet on a standard van.
If they refuse the freight I have no problem closing the doors and calling dispatch as long as I get paid to wait or haul it somewhere else, I'll even down stack it for extra pay.
Worst case I'll check eBay to see what it's selling for and haul it to the high bidder lol
 

OntarioVanMan

Retired Expediter
Owner/Operator
had it happen at a USPS plant and GM Flint..... a lot of GM plants don't take vans any more...but NOT on a consistent basis, that is why some of you are saying you've not had a problem YET....
Yes this policy is spreading thru the auto plants especially...and Guido makes a great point....about CHEAP equipment....I too have seen drivers that are just tying the strap off and it snaps coming out...I've seen a 1' strap trying to drag a 2,000 lb skid and it snapped. it would have beheaded anyone standing close....
SO do yourself a favour....GET decent straps...and or a good chain and hook...

Say what you like...it IS a safety issue.....these straps will kill you when they break....
 

Slo-Ride

Veteran Expediter
Certified chain would be a smart move also..Pleanty of chains out there with soft metal and poorly made links that will break as fast as straps. Cheap isn't also the best route. Pallet pullers are another good thing to have. I need one for each truck but just cant bring myself to order anything online.

Funny how these auto plants will take a van or decide its suddenly OK to drive on a straight truck when it suits them, but yesterday in was totally unacceptable.:confused:
 

xiggi

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Don't like chains and probably will never have one. I prefer a good quality tow strap.

Sent from my Fisher Price - ABC 123
 

Slo-Ride

Veteran Expediter
Don't like chains and probably will never have one. I prefer a good quality tow strap.

Sent from my Fisher Price - ABC 123

With tow straps is the pulling power (rating) equal to lifting power? (If that makes sence)
I do think straps used for rigging are certified and or rated somehow???
 

jay1966

Active Expediter
The Auto plant I was at was a Chrysler facility but that just shows the issue is spreading through out the Auto industry.
From what I was told by Walmart they wouldn't even drag using a chain because of the chance that part of the pallet might break off.
Considering some of the raggedy trash pallets I've see used in the past that's not so far fetched.
 
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