Goods protection and load securing: what differences are there?

Goods protection is also referred to as transport protection or transport packaging. It refers to grouping individual products into one unit suitable for transport. By grouping the wares together, you ensure that the goods can be loaded using the available space optimally, transported with ease, and be delivered to the customer intact. What’s more, packaging or load units protect your products from damage.

Goods protection includes, specifically, pallets, which can be customised using pallet collars and pallet accessories.

Strapping or strapping sets are ideal for securing cardboard boxes on pallets, or large geometric bundles such as wooden slats. Don’t forget about seals either!

Stretch film or shrink film holds irregularly shaped loads firmly in place on the pallet.

Load securing, on the other hand, is used to fix pallets and containers in place during transport by truck, car, etc. In this case, tensioning tools and tension straps are indispensable, while devices for floor securing and other fastening elements round off the load securing mechanisms.

To guarantee that transport really is successful, thermal protection and cooling elements for foodstuffs, pharmaceutical products and many other sensitive goods are essential. You can also use scales to ensure that maximum loads are not exceeded, be it on an individual pallet or in the cargo hold.

Who is responsible for goods protection and load securing?

Both the loader and the driver are responsible in equal measure for goods protection and load securing, along with the accessories used for load securing. If an accident or incident occurs, both can be held liable.

The loader must…

…be able to show the requisite qualifications for goods protection, loading and load securing if there are any doubts,

prepare the goods for transport using optimal goods protection,

carefully secure the load in accordance with regulations.

The driver must…

…check whether the goods have been packed safely for transport during the loading process,

check and adjust the load securing before starting the journey,

check tension straps etc. while en route to ensure they continue to fulfil their function.

If there is any doubt, the country-specific road traffic regulations clarify when a load is considered (un)safe. The German Road Traffic Act (StVO, section 22, paragraph 1) for example states that load securing must ensure that nothing can slip, fall down, fall over, roll or cause noise during emergency braking or an evasive manoeuvre. Germany’s Commercial Code and technical rules VDI 2700 contain even more precise information – especially for commercial transport.

We will gladly explain to you how to meet all these rules using the optimal products. Simply contact us.

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