HAZARD ALERT !

Unequal distribution of load onto trailer axles

DATE: 14th Apr 2020 Integrum ID : ESAFE-0420-08010
LOCATION: Mulaki Remote

Brief account of Observation:

On 14th Apr 2020 transport contractor planned to offload a compressor skid at Mulaki remote. As per plan
of the compressor skid was 63 tons (C-8302-B). The trailer brought on site was six axle 6AX Tandem-
Tridem. As per National highway authority road legislation the maximum load that this trailer is allowed to
haul is 58.5 ton . Additionally, the compressor skid was placed in such a way that the load was not equally
transferred on to the axles.

Potential Hazard

• Overloading and unequal load distribution leading to axle failure

Potential consequence:

• Loss or damage to equipment

Way Forward:-
• Follow the National Highway Authority (NHA) recommendations for axle load limits and gross weight for
different truck types (see fig a).
• Equipment(s) with overall length less then the trailer length are to be placed onto the trailer in such a way
that the weight of the load is equally distributed onto the trailer axles (see fig b).
• For equipment that are not skid mounted, should be placed on a network of beams to uniformly distribute
the load on trailer bed and axles (see fig c)
• The load bearing capacity of tire(s) and axles should never be exceeded (fig d)
• Max GCW (gross combination weight) for crude oil bowser is 58.5 ton (NHA) fig a: National Highway Authority- The axle load limits and
• For normal conditions the minimum pulling power of prime mover shall be 6 HP /ton and for hilly terrain it gross weight recommended for enforcement on the high
shall be 10 HP / ton (fig-e) ways in Pakistan
 HAZARD ALERT !
Unequal distribution of load onto trailer axles

fig b: Place the load in such a way that the weight of the load is evenly distributed
onto each axle equally. The above figure shows a 5-axle trailer with equal load fig c: Load that is not skid mounted (e.g. pressure vessels with
distribution on each axle. saddles ) are usually mounted on a network of beams to
uniformly distribute the load on trailer bed and axles

fig d: load index of tire