A forklift impact during loading, a tip on the ramp or a shifting load on the road can leave a container damaged mid-trip. Two things need protecting at that moment, the goods and the container itself, and the type of damage decides which comes first.
| Damage | What it affects | In the field |
|---|---|---|
| Lid will not close, gasket crushed | Cold regime | Deliver the load as fast as possible or transfer it to another container |
| Hole or crack in a panel | Insulation and hygiene | A temporary cover finishes the trip, it does not restore insulation |
| Castors, brakes | Handling safety | Stop the container in a safe place |
| Surface scratches, dents | Not urgent | Record them |
Repairs that look permanent but are unsuitable make the problem invisible: foam filler, unsuitable tape, screws used to close a hole. They create a hygiene risk and make the eventual repair harder. If the lid closes and the regime holds, the trip can be finished; if it does not, the decision follows the value of the goods and the distance left, and the temperature record is what it rests on.
- Take the container out of service and label it.
- Photograph the damage and write down the date and the event; if the goods were affected, add the temperature record.
- Assess repair options with Aris Makina; GEBHARDT describes the Isotec TBX as repairable part by part after damage, so a damaged container can return to service instead of being scrapped.
