Agree a suitable collection location
The location must allow approach, operation and departure without entering pedestrian routes or trapping people between obstacles. Ground capacity and geometry must be suitable. Slopes, soft or uneven surfaces and nearby walls can make an ordinary collection dangerous.
Know the access, available headroom and overhead power lines before sending the vehicle. A container that fits in a space may not be safely recoverable when full. Customer and carrier should agree the conditions needed for the operation beforehand.
Check compatibility and condition
Arms, chains, hooks, rails and attachment points must suit the model and load. Structural damage, corrosion or distortion require assessment. Do not assume that containers of similar size all use the same lifting arrangement or have compatible attachment geometry.
Locks securing the container during transport are safety-critical components. Maintenance should include mechanisms, warnings and fasteners. Establish load weight and distribution, and prevent loose material falling while the container is moved or transported along the road.
Control stability and keep people clear
Braking and stabilisation must follow the assembly’s instructions. On some designs, raising braked wheels can reduce vehicle restraint. Checking that the parking brake is applied is therefore insufficient: the intended operating configuration must also preserve its effectiveness.
Keep the manoeuvring area free of people, including the area hidden behind the container. Visibility aids complement physical separation. Nobody should pass under a suspended load or stand between the container and a wall or another vehicle.
Unload without improvisation
Accumulated material can exert pressure on container doors. Locks, hinges and retainers need inspection, with operation from a position designed to be safe. Improvised wire or rope does not replace a device designed to hold the door securely.
If material sticks inside, do not try to release it through jolting or sudden braking. A specific procedure must control the load and equipment. Before travelling, verify container restraint, any required covering and the position of moving components. These checks complement the site’s Internal traffic in the workplace arrangements.
