Top 3 Tips for Any Haulier to Minimise Security Risks

Earning a living as a haulier is literally living the dream for many people, but that doesn’t mean the work doesn’t entail a certain element of risk. While there is not a job in the world that doesn’t have some risk (even if you’re working at home), there are ways for those working in the haulage industry to minimise their exposure to it. The following are three top tips anyone working in the haulage industry should heed, for their own peace of mind.

Ensure Loading Security at All Times

By this we mean that you must be aware of what you’re loading into your vehicle—never allow for even a few minutes of distraction. When you’re not looking, any number of unpleasant things can happen: somebody might steal your cargo or a parcel, or someone might slip into the truck without you knowing it, making you an accomplice to a stow-away. Legally termed as a ‘clandestine entrant’, stowaways found in the vehicle of a haulier can mean a fine of up to £2,000 per person if you’re entering the UK. To ensure security, always assign enough people to supervise the loading. Use locks, seals and tilt cord for this purpose. Also, don't forget to check every nook and cranny of the vehicle, especially the blind spots—look under the vehicle, on top of it, and even around the windbreaker.

Train your People

If you're part of the management team, train your drivers to help themselves—that is, arm them with the right knowledge and training to handle security-related matters, both as individuals and as a part of a team. For starters, a good haulier must provide any sub-contracted or employed drivers with detailed written instructions about the checking system, so that they can serve as a first-line defence against security breaches. Moreover, you should also provide your drivers adequate equipment to secure the vehicle. Most importantly, you must implement a monitoring or performance tracking system, which ensures that all drivers are complying with the security checklist.

Develop a Stringent Operational Protocol

Unfortunately, it's a fact of life that there are haulage companies that operate in a slapdash way—they get the job, then they tear off to wherever the cargo is to be delivered, fingers crossed along the way! Any self-respecting haulier with an eye for future long-term growth knows that high-quality service and business success are no accident—there is a method to it, and a stringent one at that. At the top end, you may want to hire a professional security or operations analyst to identify any weakness in your system, then develop written instructions that the company—from the top managers to the lowest in rank—must implement. Once a good system is in place, any company can run like clockwork, perhaps needing only occasional intervention. A foolproof operational protocol will also make it easier for you to plan further strategic advancements.