Risk prevention in freight transport

Freight transport is the type of transport responsible for moving goods and merchandise from a place of origin to a place of destination, so that they reach their destination in good condition and within a specific pre-established time.

Freight transport is one of the most common activities in today’s globalised economy, using land, air and sea vehicles and, more specifically, in simple or combined modes.

It is a service that is included in what is known as a distribution service and forms part of any logistics chain.

In this post we are going to take a closer look at a subject that we at Conde Fernández Hermanos consider to be of vital importance: risk prevention in road freight transport:

Why is it important to reduce risks in freight transport?

The risks in freight transport can be high for all parties involved. Because the goods and weights involved are large, the people handling them can be involved in very serious accidents.

Risk management in freight transport aims to mitigate accidents such as rollovers, collisions, wetting, contamination, damage during loading and unloading, and particularly theft.

Main risks in freight transport

Risks in freight transport are the main focus of many logistics studies. The aim is to prevent and reduce any risk to zero. In this way, we take care of our carriers and the loads they carry.

We can classify the risks according to the moment in which we find ourselves:

• Before the transport: Preparing the load
• At load level
• Checking the truck
• En route

The most common risks include the following:

Hazards faced by drivers

There are some factors when driving that can affect the quality of a driver’s driving. These factors include, among others:

• Fatigue from handling loads.
• Fatigue due to prolonged driving.
• Exposure to loud noises and vibrations of the vehicle due to poor road conditions.

Breakage and loss of cargo

The insured goods also have their own risks such as breakage of fragile objects, fire, spillage of liquids, damage due to machinery breakdowns, etc.

In addition to this, poor stowage or problems in the handling of the goods by those responsible for the means of transport or third parties can cause breakage and losses that mainly translate into economic losses.

It is important to have specific insurance coverage that can cover problems in these circumstances.

Theft or robbery

It is important to have a good anti-theft protection system in the fleet. Occasionally we see news stories where victims of a robbery are interviewed on their route.

Nowadays, some of the methods to prevent break-ins are the use of locking systems on the engine, doors or even the cargo area. In addition, a panic button can be added so that the carrier can report the robbery immediately.

Speeding

Speeding is one of the main risks in cargo transport. In particular, speeding in heavy goods vehicles is one of the most common causes of accidents.

To prevent them, in addition to respecting the speed limits established by law, nowadays there are driving assistants for transport companies, with which they regulate the use of bad practices at the wheel.

Impassable roads

Excessive traffic, roads in poor condition and streets without traffic lights are situations that can be encountered along a route. To avoid most of these problems, it is advisable to plan the routes along which the delivery route will be made. In this way we can optimise the work, reducing times and risks and we can even modify the route in real time according to the needs that arise along the way.

Prevention methods

In the previous section, as we listed the main risks in freight transport, we also mentioned some solutions for each case. However, we will now go on to mention, in a general way, some aspects that may not have been well covered.

“Identifying risks is the first step in thinking about preventive measures with regard to risks in freight transport”.

• On the occupational side, it is important that employees take risk prevention courses on a frequent basis. Every time a new type of goods is introduced, it is essential to add a specific protocol as well.
• On the aspect of cargo loss or breakage, it is recommended to use efficient loading, securing and stowage techniques that will help reduce the chances of goods becoming loose, and always invest in quality packaging.
• On the road, it is recommended to comply with legal speed limits and to avoid dry braking.
• When it comes to theft, there is nothing better than having cargo insurance so that the cargo has some kind of back-up, in addition to the well-known anti-theft insurance and different alarm formats that help to inform the authorities.

Improve delivery logistics with Conde Fernández

It has been proven that risk management in freight transport not only increases security, but also improves a company’s delivery logistics.

Despite this, risk prevention management in a transport company is a complex task and requires both adequate training for drivers, employees and collaborators, as well as appropriate measurement, analysis and control tools and systems to prevent risk indicators from exceeding the established thresholds.

At Conde Fernández Hermanos we take this particular aspect very seriously, so we always try to identify potential risks beforehand, in order to analyse them and take preventive measures to minimise any impact.
In our case, proper risk management will allow for greater peace of mind for our collaborators, more efficiency, transparency and security in our day-to-day work, making us a more solid company in the 21st century.