DAMAGE PREVENTION
WORK MODULE 7: DAMAGE PREVENTION
1. Perform the proper load setup.
- Ramps should be adjusted for proper loading angles and all ramps should be clear of any debris.
- Remember to follow all deck pinning procedures during the load set-up.
- If possible, review all units prior to loading to finalize the most efficient loading sequence due to unit sizes and drops.
- Make sure that the bottom rear deck of the trailer is fully extended and the flip plates, if applicable, on the top rear of the trailer, are flipped out.
2. Perform the pre-loading inspection.
- Have your inspection sheet in hand before beginning the inspection process.
- Review all inspection requirements prior to beginning the inspection process. (Port and/or Yard rules)
- Verify a minimum of 8 digits of the VIN number match in three (3) locations: Bill of Lading, Monroney, and VIN plate, as step one of the inspection. Make sure the Consignee on the Monroney, matches the BOL.
- Review the MONRONEY LABEL for extra or loose items list. Never load a unit that does not have a Monroney Label.
- Begin inspection of tires and body panels after steps above. The most efficient way to inspect, is to go over each panel from roof to undercarriage in a clockwise fashion.
- Remember to look at the sides of the units from an angle which could show dents and dings.
- Pay special attention to the areas on and around the front and rear bumpers, as they may have been exposed to damage from prior transporting, as well as the parking process. (Front bumper damages are the most frequently written up damage at Proficient at this time.) Check the front and rear bumpers, especially underneath the spoiler, for scratches and gouges.
- If any damages or missing items are noted, you must follow the local sign off procedures prior to moving the unit from its original position.
- Proficient Policy: Do not move any unit with exceptions, unless authorized by dispatch. Do not drop any unit off your load without authorization from dispatch.
3. Loading the unit on the truck
- Once the driver has selected the appropriate unit to load position, the unit at the edge of the loading skids.
- Get out and look one last time at the loading angles, set-up, and for any debris on the ramps.
- Use the 2” X 10” X 3’ boards for low profile vehicles.
- Use a spotter, if needed, to avoid any bumper scrapes.
- Do not bounce the vehicle while approaching the trailer.
- Vehicles must be driven on truck at walking speed to reduce the probability of causing damage. Speed must be particularly reduced before driving onto ramps.
- Proceed at an approved rate of speed to position the unit on the truck. Carefully center the unit on each ramp always getting out to look at spacing, if unsure. (Never bump the car into another object and back up to judge distance).
- GOAL- Get Out and Look.
- Once satisfied with the position of the unit, proceed to the next step of loading, by securing the unit with straps. (Note: Never place a tie-down hook underneath a deck). Remember that a minimum of a 4” clearance is required by each OEM for safe transport.
- Try to keep as much space between the upper deck and the units below, as possible. (You do not need to be 13’ with only 4” of clearance).
4. Preventing Damage While in Transport
- Once all units are loaded and secured, verify all clearance to include distance between units, height of load, length of load, and turning clearance between units. If necessary, perform a test turn to verify turning clearance.
- Inspect each strap for tension prior to departure as well as checking straps at each required stop from origin to destination. Straps can fail and if not detected will cause damage.
- After each drop, remember to repeat the first step above regarding the transporting process.
5. Unloading and Delivery Inspection Process
- Always check with the dealer prior to arrival to verify a safe unloading area as well as a place to park each delivered unit.
- Remember to set up the ramps and verify all unloading angles prior to unloading. Also, remove all debris from the ramps.
- Once units are unloaded and parked, find a check-in person, approved by the customer, to begin the delivery inspection.
- With inspection sheet in hand, go over the final delivery inspection with the check-in person to verify any transportation-related damages. Only transportation damage is to be noted on the final delivery receipt. If there is a question that cannot be resolved between driver and check-in person, a supervisor for Proficient must be called.
- Our policy is no Subject to Inspection’s (STl’s), unless authorized by dispatch; however, if given the approval to STI, it is the driver’s responsibility to complete an inspection of the units prior to leaving the dealership. If there is any damage at all, you cannot STI. Driver will have to wait until the dealership opens and will need to get a signed BOL.
ALL DAMAGES ARE PREVENTABLE!
CLAIMS: 904-559-9434
TONY’S CELL: 904-226-2006 | BECKY’S CELL: 951-662-5074
EMAIL: claims@proautotran.com
INSPECTING UNITS/REPORTING DAMAGES
04 INSPECTION – Damages noted at the driver’s preload inspection.
- ALWAYS thoroughly inspect your vehicles before you move them. Once you have moved a unit, it becomes your damage – even on cross docked units.
- If you find damages on a unit, before moving the unit, contact the yard supervisor.
- Enter damages noted into VTAS at preload inspection. Enter notes if/when necessary.
- Take pictures of the window VIN plate and damage. Attach pictures to VTAS or email/text them to Claims.
- Contact your dispatcher to inform them of the damaged unit. Anytime you drop a vehicle from your load, for whatever reason, you must inform your dispatcher.
General Motors Product Only:
- If the damage severity of 1-2 the damage does not need to be verified but still note it on your BOL.
- Damages meeting the following criteria must be verified:
- Major Damage (Severity 3 & above) must be verified.
- 3 or more exceptions to the same body panel must be verified.
- All exceptions to Chrome, Alloy and/ or Aluminium wheels must be verified.
- All exceptions to "Roof Panels" (Damage Area, 37) must be verified.
- All Missin Loose Content and/or Open, Broken or Missing Loose Item Bags must be verified.
- All missing Parts (i.e. mmoldings, panels, etc.) must be verified.
- Any/ All Missing Keys and/ or Key Fobs must be verified.
In addition to the above criteria, all severities of the following “Damage Types” must be verified:
Damage Type COde Description
01 Bent
02 Broken
03 CUt
04 Dented with Paint or Chrome Broken
06 Cracked Panels
11 Punctured
13 Torn
20, 21, 22, & 23 All Glass Damages
Damages requiring verification must be verified in bay, with the unit in the original bayed position, or they will not be covered by the railroad/ port. If there is a question, the safest course of action is not to move the vehicle and reqest a verification fron a 3rd party inspection contractor.
GATE PASS
- Gate pass with damages noted, turn it in at the gate, once CSX has marked the number of exceptions and time stamped it, ask for it back to take a picture of the gate pass and return it to the guard. Send the picture to Claims via text or email.
05 INSPECTION — Damages noted when delivering.
- Enter damages into VTAS. ALWAYS USE NUMERICAL AGIG M-22 CODES. Enter notes if/when necessary. Even if the damage was caught on inspection, if the dealer catches the damage, enter the damage into VTAS.
- Take pictures of the window VIN plate and damage. Attach pictures to VTAS or email/text them to Claims.
60-01-1
- This code can be used to make notes in VTAS without a damage. i.e body cover torn in transit; no damages are being noted but you still want to make note of this.
PAPER DELIVERY RECEIPT vs. VTAS
- Only use a paper delivery receipt when delivering Porsche units or if your VTAS is not working. DO NOT USE BOTH PAPER AND VTAS.
- If using a paper delivery receipt, have the dealer make a copy of the signed delivery receipt. The driver keeps the original delivery receipt and turns into dispatch. If the driver is one based out of Nashville, turn in to Rhonda to scan to Claims or send a picture of the delivery receipt to Claims.
- If you leave a copy of the BOL with the dealer (for inventory purposes only, not used for delivery) DO NOT SIGN the BOL. You may mark on the BOL “NOT A DELIVERY RECEIPT.”
BODY COVERS TORN IN TRANSIT
- Take a picture of the torn body cover while it is still on the truck.
- You may carefully remove the body cover and place in the back seat or trunk of the unit.
- When delivering unit, note damages cause by torn cover and add a note in your VTAS that the body cover tore in transit.
- Take pictures of the window VIN plate and damage. Attach pictures to VTAS or email/text them to Claims.
EXCEPTION REPORT — this report is necessary so that we know how to handle the claim.
- Needs to be completed when returning to terminal. Always check your mailbox because the form may already be in there.
- If not returning to terminal, we can email it and the driver can send it back.