We at JND Traders Private Limited offering Best Practices for Transporting & Handling of Pipe as follow :

Introduction:

Thetransporting &handling ofpipe consistsof 4main functions:
• Loading
• Securement
• Transporting
• Unloading
This document provides safety guidance for each of these functions for drivers and othersinvolvedintransportingandhandlingpipeusedintheconstructionofpipelines. Employers are responsible for ensuring that drivers and other workers are properly trained and provided with safe vehicles and other equipment.

BackgroundonFMCSAandOSHARequirements:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations state that a driver mustnotoperateacommercialmotorvehicle(CMV)iftheloadisn’tproperlysecured. The regulations also state that a motor carrier must not allow a driver to transport a load that isn’t properly secured.
Thefollowingaresomeofthekeyprovisionsofthe(FMCSA)regulationsintitle49of the Code of Federal Regulations:

• 391.13:Requiresthatdriversknowhowtoproperlylocate,distributeand secure their cargo.
• 392.9:Requiresthatdriversnotdrivethevehicleuntilthecargoisproperly distributedandsecured,allvehicleequipmentandsecurementdevicesare

properlysecured,andcargodoesnotinterferewiththedriver’sabilitytodrive safely.Also requires periodic en route inspections.

• 393.100 –393.114:Contains the“general”cargo securementrequirements.

• 393.136: Contains the“commodity-specific” cargosecurement requirements.

Under the FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) program, violations forimproperlysecuredcargoarerecordedintheCSAscoresofboththedriverandthe carrier.

CompaniesthatemploytruckdriversarealsocoveredunderSection5(a)(1)oftheOSH Act of 1970 (OSHA’s General Duty Clause) which states that:
“Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employmentwhicharefreefromrecognizedhazardsthatarecausingorarelikelyto cause death or serious physical harm to his employees. “Specific OSHA regulations may also apply during the loading/unloading process.

The OSHA law also includes a whistleblower protection provision that prohibits employers from retaliating (taking adverse action) against employees for exercising their rights under the OSHA law (including the right to raise a health and safety concern or report an injury).Employees that work in the transportation industry are protectedfromretaliationunderotherlawsforreportingcertainviolations.

Loading:

Securethevehicleafterarrivingattheloadingarea.Novehicleshouldeverbe left unattended until you are confident it is secure from movement.

Inspectallequipment andhardware usedto loadthe pipebefore use.
You may be involved in loading the pipe onto the trailer but sometimes trailers are pre-loadedatthepickuppoint.Rememberthatonceyousignforthepipeitbecomes your responsibility, even if it was damaged or loaded improperly.Improperly loaded pipe or improperly secured pipe can cause damage, injuries, roadside violations and claims against the driver and company.

Ifpresentasthepipeisbeingloaded:

• Avoidparking underor in closeproximity tooverhead power lines.
• Parkequipmentandsetbrakes,chockwheelsandbesureareatoloadpipeis clear and free of obstructions
• Keepyourpersonalsafetyinmindwhileparticipatinginanypartoftheloading process and follow all safety requirements and company procedures.
• Personnelonthegroundshouldstayclearoftheloadingzone,includingall sides of the truck and trailer.Ensure that the area is clear of all personnel except those that are involved in the loading process.
• Wearpropersafetyequipmentsuchashardhats,safetyglasses,gloves,safety- toed footwear and reflective vest if appropriate.
• Before loading begins, review the shipping information to determine the type andweightofpipeyouwillbehauling.Thiswillenableyoutoplanforhowthe weight will be distributed, types and number of tie downs needed, and where those tie downs will be placed.
• Inspectallpipesbeforetheyareloadedtoassesstheircondition.Establishthat a spotter is available if needed.
• Ensurethatnodamagedpipeisputonthetrailerandallpipingislistedonthe billoflading.Thepipingyousignformustbeaccuratelycountedandsecurely and safely loaded on the trailer.
• Establishthataspotterisavailableifneeded.
• Aspipeisloaded,ensurethatthedistributionofweightisappropriateand height of the load will not create a center-of-gravity problem.
• Don’tstand under suspendedpipe when pipeis being loaded.
• Nobodyshouldstandonthetrailerorbackofthetruckduringtheloading process.

SecurementofthePipe:

TheFederalMotorCarrierSafetyAdministration(FMCSA)regulationssettheminimum standards for cargo.
Accordingtotheregulations,eachcommercialmotorvehiclemust,whentransporting cargo on public roads, be loaded and equipped in such a manner as to prevent the cargo from:

• Leaking,spilling, blowing orfalling from themotor vehicle; or
• Shiftingtosuchanextentthatitadverselyaffectsthevehicle’sstabilityor maneuverability.
Usingthekeyconceptsof“workingloadlimit”and“aggregateworkingloadlimit”, determine the minimum number of tiedowns you’ll need to secure the pipe.

KeyConcepts:

Properpipesecurementdependsonknowingsomekeyconceptsfromtheregulations. Twooftheseconceptsare“workingloadlimit”and“aggregateworkingloadlimit” which help you comply with the regulations for determining the minimum number of tiedowns needed.

Workingloadlimit:

This is the maximum load that may be applied to a component of a cargo securementsystem(suchastiedowns,binders,ropes,winches,attachment points, etc.) during normal service.

Aggregateworkingloadlimit:

Thecombinedrestrainingcapabilityofagroupofsecurementdevices,andthe regulations specify a minimum aggregate working load limit to secure a given weightofpipe.Determiningtheaggregateworkingloadlimitdependsonhow thedevicesareusedtosecuretheload,usingeitheran“indirect”or“direct”tie down method.

Theaggregateworkingloadlimitofthedevice(s)usedtosecureanarticleor group of articles of cargo must equal at least 50% of the weight of the cargo being secured.

Lengthandplacementconsiderations:

Once you determine the aggregate working load limit of the securement device is at leasthalfoftheweightofthecargo,youmustmakesurethereareenoughtiedowns based on the cargo length and its placement.

Length: Longpiecesofpipemayrequireadditionaltiedownsadequatetoprovide securement along the entire length.

Placement:Pipe that is not blocked against forward movement may require additional tiedowns to help prevent them from sliding forward.

SecurementConsiderations:

Duringthepipesecurementprocess,specialcaremustbetakentoensureproper securement of the pipe while also guarding your personal safety.The goal is to immobilize the pipe so that it can’t shift in any direction.

Hereare some best practices:
• Useproperattachmentpoints
• Useedgeprotectiontoprotectthesecurementdevicefromthepipeorthepipe from the securement device.
• Knowhowtooperateandtightenallthedevicesthatyouwillbeusingtosecure the pipe.
• Whentighteningstraps, andchains,pull downonthe leverratherthan pushing.
• Ensurethatthebindersyouareusingareratedatthesamestrengthasor higher than the chain.
• Operateallsecurement deviceswhilestanding onthe ground.
• Ensurethatallstraps orchainsareproperly secured.
• Beawareofthepotentialforrecoilandneverbeinapositionwhereyoucould be struck by a securement device.
• Beaware ofpinch points.
• Alwayswearhardhat,gloves,safety-toedshoesandsafetyglassesduringthe securement process.
• Iftarpsare required,have theforklift operatorpositionthem ontop ofthe pipe.
• Avoidwalkingonthetrailerdeckwhenpossible.Ifnecessarytowalkonthe trailer deck, make sure you have solid footing.
• Alwaysuse“threepointsofcontact”wheneverclimbingupordownonthe vehicle (such as two feet and one hand, or two hands and one foot).

Transporting:

Pre-tripInspection:

Afterthepipeissecured–theregulationscallforafinalinspectionbeforethevehicle is driven.

Thepre-trip inspectionshould includeall the basics:
1. Inspecteach tiedown.
2. Adjustthe cargo or securement devices if necessary.
3. Addadditionalload-protectiveequipmentasneeded,suchastarps,dunnage (wood), tools, straps, chains and any other equipment.

Enrouteinspections:

Afteryoubeginatripthepipeneedstobeinspectedwithinthefirst50milesandafter the cargo has had a chance to settle.After the first inspection at 50 miles, another inspection is required every time you stop or every 3 hours or 150 miles whichever comes first.

Whenconducting enroute inspections:
• Conducttheinspectionofftheroadandinasafe location.
• Wearahigh-visibilitysafety vestso you’revisible toother drivers.
• Neverturnyourbacktoon-comingtrafficwhileinspectingpipeandsecurement devices.If you must turn your back, do so only on the non-traffic side of the vehicle.
• Stayalertwhileonthetrafficsideofthe vehicle.
• Look for pipe that may have shifted.If pipe has shifted, use extra caution to guardyourpersonalsafetywhilemakinganyattemptstoproperlyre-securethe pipe.
• Be prepared to adjust the tiedowns or add additional tiedowns to ensure that thepipecannotmove.Usecautionandensureitissafetoadjustanytiedowns by loosening it during this process.
• Lookfortiedownsthathavebecomelooseormayhavebecomedamagedby rubbing or vibration.
• Ifthestabilityoftheloadhasbecomeunstableduetoshiftingorsecurement failure, do not proceed until corrections have been made.Some examples – pipe extended over the side or rear,unable to secure the pipe from further movement, Tie down points broke, and not having enough or proper securement devices.
• Properlystowallequipmentincludingwinchbarsanddunnageboardsbefore continuing.

You’reresponsiblefortransportingthepipeandyourkeyresponsibilityisensuringit is secured in a way that protects you, the pipe, the vehicle and the public.

Unloading:

Onceyouarriveatyourdestinationyoumustnowunloadthepipeinasafemannerto ensure that no injuries occur to personnel or property (pipe).
Properunloadingproceduresshouldbeestablishedbyeachsite,communicatedtoall personnel involved and strictly enforced.
Employersmustensurethatemployeesaretrainedontheproceduresandawareofthe potential hazards of falling pipe.
Heavyequipmentoperatorsmustbeproperlytrainedintheuseoftheequipmentand the handling of pipe.

Thefollowing are some best practices:

• Avoidparking under,or in closeproximity to,overhead power lines.
• Parkonaflatsurfacewheneverpossible,setbrakes,chockwheelsandbesure that the work area to unload the pipe is clear and free of obstructions.If parking on a slope because a flat surface is unavailable, personnel should remain on the uphill side of the truck and trailer.
• Ensurethattheareaisclearofallpersonnelexceptthosethatareinvolvedin the unloading process.
• All personnel involved with the unloading activity should assess the potential hazards(JSA)beforetheunloadingoperationbegins.Possibleissuesthatmay need to be reviewed include:

o Hastheload shifted?
o Isit safeto loosencargo securement devices?
o Havetheload stakesorchocks beendamagedin transport?
o Areloadstakes andchocksproperly positioned?
o Hasanunloadingprocedurebeenidentifiedandcommunicatedtothose working around the load?

• Establishthataspotterisavailable,isproperlytrained,andappropriate communication is established with the operator unloading the pipe.

• Securementdevicesshallberemovedcarefullyandonlyonpiecesofpipethat are being removed.Pipe that isn’t removed should be re-secured prior to moving.Pipe that is not properly secured is capable of movement and personnel could be injured.

• Allequipmentandhardwareutilizedtounloadthepipeshallbeinspectedprior to use.

• Proceedslowlyand carefullyto unloadthe pipe.

• Nobodyshouldstandonthetrailerorbackofthetruckwhileunloadingthe pipe.• Hardhats,safety-toedshoes,gloves,safetyglassesandahigh-visibilityvest should be worn.

• Allpersonnelintheunloadingzoneandgroundshouldmaintainasafedistance from the truck and trailer, particularly the sides of the trailer, and be in clear view of the equipment operator.

• Whenunloadingiscomplete,storeallsecurementdevices,removechock devices, and slowly leave the unloading area.