Liquid Trucking has recently released a new training video to help explain the process of loading and unloading of bulk liquids performed by our drivers on a daily basis. Below, we’ll go through some of those key points, safety features, and overall expectations to keep in mind when delivering a load to a customer.
The first thing you’ll need to worry about when delivering product to a customer is communication. You’ll want to have clear, open communication with their customer relations team to ensure you’re taking the right amount of the right product to the right tank for that customer.
When you arrive at your destination and get your truck and trailer in position, make sure the area around the truck and trailer is clear of any debris. You want your area clean and clear of anything that could get in the way of you or your equipment during the loading or unloading process.
When you’re ready to hook up your pump, hoses, and PTO jackshafts, you need to be aware of how you will unload the trailer. You will either use air pressure or use a Roper Pump to create suction. Anytime you are going to start a pump, make sure to vent the top of the trailer first, otherwise the trailer will collapse. You always want to know which method you will be using before you arrive at the location.
You absolutely must wear all of your safety gear when loading or unloading a trailer. That means hard hat, face shield, goggles, rubber suit, gloves, pants, and rubber boots. One drop of a corrosive material will eat through your skin, creating anywhere from a 1st to 3rd degree burn.
The next step is to pressurize the hoses to make sure there are no leaks. Whether it’s a bad gasket on a hose, or a bad valve on the customer’s side, you want to find out right away. Then you’ll open up your valves and start the pump. The last thing you’ll open is the internal valve on the trailer, which you will do slowly.
Check to make sure there are no leaks at any point in the process, that all connections are secured, that the cam locks are locked down so that they can’t vibrate, move, and cause a spill. If you do all of these things as they are intended, you are looking at between one and one and a half hours from the time you arrive to the time you leave.
This is by no means intended to be an exhaustive guide for how to perform every single aspect of the loading and unloading process. It is impossible to get every single thing you need to know in writing. What it is is a guide to help get you acquainted with the basics and to help remind you that safety and preparedness are the cornerstones to doing the job right.