Bulk property of any description is vulnerable to collusion between drivers and warehousemen and the loss easier to conceal than the theft of individual items.

Wherever possible, loads should be planned so that vehicles leave filled to capacity Where a weigh bridge is available the gross weight should be ascertained on exit. Spot checks should be made of stocks in hand and reconciled with movements out. Vehicles on bulk delivery should be sealed if possible and weighed out, a copy weigh ticket being carried to the destination and used as a cross check against correct delivery.

Stocktaking by the local person in charge is sufficient for normal purposes, but the figures must be examined against an independent stock check.

Goods - Storage and Control

Stores should be so arranged that quality items are stacked where they are under immediate observation and away from entrances, rest rooms, lavatories and exits. Doors should be reduced to a minimum and only authorised personnel admitted.

GOODS OUTWARD

Crew loading

One advantage of this type of loading is that the crew is clearly responsible for everything loaded on to the vehicle. The disadvantages are:

• The crew can in practice bring out stacks of any variety of goods on their hand trolleys, and it is difficult to check that they have selected those shown on the invoice.

• The crew can walk about the warehouse without question. The same crews should not be permitted to load for the same driver on a permanent basis if this can be avoided. This will restrict possible collusion in the theft of the company's goods.

Prepared Loads

Pallets are prepared and ready for the crew to load. Discrepancies are rarely investigated and generally made good without comment. Sometimes a reserve is maintained from which crews help themselves freely if unsupervised. Where there are discrepancies in prepared loads, only specified warehouse staff should supply subsequent requirements after the reason for such a shortage have been investigated and approved. In this system of prepared loads the vehicle crew can still be held responsible for any discrepancies, since they will have stowed the load themselves.

Pre-Loading

This method of loading is likely to increase in the future. Its main security advantage is that transport crews are kept out of storage area. Its disadvantage is that loaded vehicles are left standing overnight and at times during the day. Also transport crews, when they arrive, do not check the load and cannot be held responsible for it. Pre-loaded trailers therefore require the provision of adequate security, particularly overnight.

Seals

Seals are useful to ensure that a load arrives intact at it's destination, or at least to indicate any interference if:
a) The seal is numbered in series
b) The serial number is shown on the delivery note
c) It is affixed by a responsible person other than the driver
d) It is checked at the exit gate
e) It is intact at its destination and the serial number correct.

Checking Out

The only sure methods of checking which will cope with any system of loading are:
a)At the exit gate
b) By security staff using checking platforms
c)Against delivery notes and not against load analysis sheets since a mistake in compilation will not be revealed
d) In extreme cases consider load stripping
e) By weighing and sealing bulk tankers, if used, and weighing bulk loads of packaged goods.

Losses in transit

Bulk transport loads need checking just as much as individual packages, particularly goods of other companies. Where empty cases are discovered in the centre of palletised loads, early reporting to the point of origin is essential. Where losses of this type persist, the remedy is to break up several pallets in the presence of the driver as they come off his vehicle.

Staff Purchases and Borrowing

Materials, goods and other purchases should be accompanied out of the gate by a written authority or a receipt. Tools or other articles legitimately borrowed - where allowed - should be accompanied by a similar pass, specifying a time and date for return, and they should be checked back by the security officer at the works exit.