Introduction
The purpose of a seal is to reveal evidence of entry. The Best made seal or any other security device is only as good as the procedures and systems used for their applications. The following report is designed to aid a seal user in developing the correct systems and procedures in order to halt pilferage and theft.
Ordering and Storage
1. Maintain one log book for outbound seal’recording and a separate log book for inbound seal recording.
2. Use hardcover books, do not use loose-leaf books.
3. The Outbound Log should contain the following information.
a. The date and time the seal in applied.
b. The number of the trailer.
c. The load destination.
d. The name of the person applying the seal.
e. The name of the driver.
4. If the driver is not part of the shipper’s organization, the goods inventory count and the seal application should be made in the presence of the shipper’s representative.
The driver will note on the bill of lading or no the shipping order the seal number applied at the shippers’ dock
Application
A. In order to maintain control over sealing system, all seals must be properly applied and checked by a security person.
B. The following procedures for application should be used:
1. Seal the side as well as the rear doors.
2. Run the seal strap through the hasp, once. Seals wrapped through the hasp more than once become illegible.
3. Listen for the “click” when inserting the point of the seal into the locking sheath.
4. In order to insure a positive seal, pull the seal strap and twist the section of the seal that was inserted into the locking mechanism.
Gate Procedures
A. All drivers will sureender their gate passes to the guard.
B. The guard will verify the information, as presented by the driver.
C. The gard should record the following information
1. Tractor number.
2. Trailer container number.
3. The seal’s number, color and coding.
4. The driver’s name.
5. The date and time.
D. The guard should apply a second seal on high security shipments.
E. In order to prevent a pattern from developing assorted low-value shipments should also be double sealed.
F. The guard should have different colored seals at hes disposal to permit spot checking of loads at random.
G. All spot checks should be made in the presence of another security officer.
Broken Seals
A. Should it be necessary to break a seal before its arrival at the final destination, the following information should be recorded:
1. The name of the person breaking the seal.
2. The reason for breaking the seal.
3. The time and date the seal was broken.
4. The serial number of the broken seal.
5. The serial number of the replacement seal.
6. The names of witnesses to the breaking of the seal.
Seal Removal And Inbound Recording
1. In order to insure the integrity of a seal before its removal, a physical check must be made.
2. The following procedures for seal removal are recommended:
a. Only authorized security personnel should remove seals.
b. Enter in the in-bound seal log the name, serial number and all coding information appearing on the seal.
c. Compare the name, serial number and all coding information appearing on the seal with the corresponding shipping papers.
d. Prior to removing the seal, insure that it has not been shortened or falsely sealed.
e. Pull and twist the seal to the left and right to insure that the seal head has not been violated.
g. All shipments received with a violated seal must be reported as noted in the previous section.
h. Any evidence of theft should be reported to the security department and investigation begun, regardless of the hour.
Supplementary Procedures
A. The following steps may be taken to reinforce the seal control program and discourage would-be pilferers:
1. Insure that the fastening devices securing the door hinges and the locking handles cannot be removed without violating the seal.
2. Use color coded seals to differentiate commodities, terminals, warehouses, plants, in-bound or out-bound shipments, and time periods.
3. Use different colored seals for trailers returning with empty loads in order to prevent drivers from privately utilizing the trailers on return trips.
4. Periodically change the seal colors to prevent usage of unauthorized old seals.
5. Assign a specifically color seal for all full loads received from shippers in order to readily identify those shipments to the operations and the security personnel.
6. Companies shipping a trailer load of merchandise within a local area making 2 to 7 stops may secure the trailer with a different colored seal after each stop.
High Security Seal Locks
A. Conventional metal seals or plastic seals are not always effective.
B. The development of heavy duty, self-locking and serially numbered cable or heavy metal seal locks arose to provide physical security as will as seal integrity.
C. The use of high security seal locks are recommended for the following areas:
1. High security shipments.
2. Rail, ship, or air freight shipments.
3. International shipments.
4. Shipping or storing in high crime areas.
D. Either heavy duty cable or bolt cutters are required to remove high security locks.
1. The use of the cutting tools should be carefully controlled.
2. Drivers should not be allowed to carry cutters except for special occasions.
STANDARD-COLOR
