Transporting abnormal loads requires knowledge, planning and expertise. With heavier, wider and longer loads, there are many more safety factors which must be considered. At Welch Specialist Movements, we are experts in the transportation process involved with these goods. To make things easier, we have broken down some key points for customers to consider before moving your abnormal load.
1. Know your definitions
Firstly, it is of paramount importance to recognise what an abnormal load constitutes. According to government guidelines, an abnormal load is any load with a weight more than 44,000kg, width more than 2.9 metres and a length more than 18.65 metres. Abnormal loads need special consideration as they cannot be split into two or more loads during transportation. These loads might constitute anything from agricultural products, vehicles, large trees to aircraft.
2. Organisation is key!
If you are transporting your abnormal load, you must put in place appropriate planning measures. Firstly, it is a legal requirement to fill in an abnormal loads movement application form as part of the planning process. This is to ensure that relevant police and highways authorities are aware of your journey. It might be necessary for these authorities to cordon off roads or assist the load over bridges during parts of the journey. Bear in mind that you must notify these authorities at least 10 weeks before your journey is due to start. Also, it is vital that you carefully consider your route before setting off with your abnormal load – are you going to cross any bridges or pass narrow roads? These are fundamental safety considerations, so you must be proactive in your planning.
3. Know your geography
When it comes to the transportation of any kind of abnormal or hazardous goods, it is always worth taking into consideration the differences in rules and regulations between countries. The definition of an abnormal load may differ across countries and continents. When planning your route, consider whether you are going to be taking your load outside of the UK border. If so, you must register your trailer and obtain an abnormal load trailer keeper’s certificate. Importantly, you will need to keep this certificate on your person to show at the border when travelling.
4. Consider the cost
The cost involved with transporting abnormal loads will depend on the type of load, the length of the journey and the nature of your journey. Naturally, transporting your load for a longer distance will be more costly due to the fact it will burn more fuel. You must also take into consideration that heavier loads will burn more fuel during the journey. There may be additional charges involved with your journey including the need for escort vehicles in some situations. These vehicles are used as a safety precaution throughout the journey to alert other drivers that there is an abnormal load on the road. With these factors in mind, you are less likely to be surprised by any hidden costs involved with the process.
5. Choose a heavy haulage company
To take the stress out of transporting your abnormal load, it is worth considering a reliable and trusted heavy haulage company. Using a heavy haulage company means that the fine details of your abnormal load are handled by the company, instead of yourself. This is particularly important when it comes to the legislation and regulations: these can get confusing when handling them yourself. When choosing a haulage company, you may want to consider factors such as the company’s experience, accreditations and whether they can demonstrate vigorous health and safety plans. Here at Welch, we like to give our customers extra peace of mind with our customer testimonial pages.
Here at Welch, we are here to help when it comes to transporting abnormal loads. With our range of in-house equipment and expertise, you can rest assured that your abnormal loads are safe in our hands. Get in touch today to arrange a quotation.
