by
Nancy Ryerson, Staff Writer | December 26, 2012
Cargo requirements are often highly specific and vary from country to country. For example, regulations require that wood used for crating must be heat-treated or fumigated and stamped with a quality/treatment mark to keep pests from traveling with the cargo, Ambrose Rigging President Fran Ambrose explains.
Even shipping across the Canadian border has its challenges.
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“Canada is in the process of changing how they do their paperwork, which will slow down transportation into their country,” says Law. “They want more time to look at the paperwork and clear the product that’s coming in.” That means Estes Express has to get its hands on the necessary paperwork earlier in the day to prevent any delays for the customer.
MEI removes a window
before a move.
Take cover: insurance challenges
Of course, movers must ensure equipment makes its way from point A to point B in perfect condition, and be ready if something goes wrong.
“Insurance is one of our biggest challenges,” says Ambrose. “For instance, the hospitals are asking that I, being a rigger at a hospital, carry $5 million worth of insurance.”
J.D. Silvers solves his company’s insurance challenges by using an insurance broker to write policies for different jobs. Logical Solution Services deals with insurance in a similar fashion.
“One of the things I’ve learned in dealing with the medical industry is that there was not adequate coverage out there written for it,” says Logical Solution Services’ Cruz. “So we have a policy that has been written specifically for the industry that provides very good protection.”
Estes Express uses the National Motor Freight Classification to determine for how much a piece of equipment should be insured. While a small item might fall into a lower category, equipment like MRIs are much more costly.
Well-choreographed rigging
Riggers work carefully to make sure that expensive insurance does not come in handy.
“From a rigger’s standpoint, you really have to have a soft touch,” says Ambrose. “We deal with foyers in hospitals, with tile floors. And when your audience is doctors, you really have to be on top of your game.”
Before a project, Ambrose’s team will have a “tool box” meeting during which tasks are delegated so the on-site process can run smoothly.
