Freight News, Logistics, Road

Stainless steel seals keep WMB trucks secure

[ February 2, 2018   //   Chris ]

Motorbike logistics specialist WMB Group has switched to using stainless steel seals to prevent incursions by migrants into its trucks crossing the Channel.

It follows an incident in 2015 when a number of illegal immigrants were discovered in one of its trucks heading back to the UK.

The group had previously used plastic seals to secure the TIR security cord that wove around the truck, through the curtain and through the back door handles. However it was easy to damage.

Not only are stainless steel seals difficult to stick back together should they become intentionally damaged to gain access – making it clear that they’ve been tampered with – but they also have the WMB logo printed onto them alongside a unique serial number.

For every job, drivers are allocated a set number of seals, and all serial numbers are logged. A vehicle security checklist is also given to the driver prior to the journey. All used and unused seals must be returned to the office at the end of each job, ensuring all are accounted for.

Every time drivers leave their truck they need to check inside the lorry, taking photos, in which case the previous seal will need replacing, and then upon completing their final check before heading to the port to go home, the doors are sealed as well as all four corners of the curtains on the trailer.

The vehicle security checklist must be completed in full for every job.

This outlines who the driver is, what truck they have, what job they’re on and what unique serial number seals they have been allotted for their job. There is also a tick list for drivers to complete as and when they do their checks on their truck, including ‘external compartments checked’, ‘TIR cord tight & in place & checked’ or ‘CO2 and PMWW check.’

These checks help protect the company and the driver, ensuring that everything is done by the book and minimising opportunities for access to the trucks – unless of course they cut a hole in the side of the truck’s curtain, which would be a very obvious and noticeable entry point. However, drivers heading towards port to return to the UK who do have a suspicion that there may be someone in their truck know to immediately drive to the authorities for their own safety.

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Tags: WMB Group