What does a weighbridge operator do?

A weighbridge operator is the person who manages the "large scale," acting as the "gatekeeper" for goods entering and leaving the company. This role involves more than just reading numbers on a display; it's crucial for the company's finances and road safety.

Here are the main daily tasks of a weighbridge operator:

1. Vehicle Guidance and Direction

When a large truck enters the factory area, the operator must first guide the driver to park the vehicle precisely in the center of the weighbridge platform. If the wheels are off-center or the vehicle isn't stable, the weight measurement will be inaccurate. They must use windows, intercoms, or hand gestures to ensure the truck is in the perfect weighing position.

2. Information Entry and Verification

Before or during weighing, the operator must ask: Whose truck is this? What goods are being delivered? What is the driver's name?
They will enter information such as the license plate number and type of goods into the computer system.
They also need to verify the delivery order to ensure the goods in the truck match the information on the order, preventing incorrect deliveries or shipments to the wrong location.

3. Recording Two Weights (Calculating Net Weight)

This is the most crucial step.
Weighing upon entry: This is usually the weight of the fully loaded truck.
Weighing upon exit: This is usually the weight of the empty truck after unloading.
The operator must operate the weighbridge instrument to calculate the difference. This difference is the actual weight of the goods, and it is the sole basis for the company's payment or receipt of money.

4. Printing and Signing the Weighbridge Ticket

Once the weight is determined, the operator prints a document, the "weighbridge ticket." This document is like a receipt, containing the time, vehicle number, and accurate weight in kilograms. After the operator signs it, the driver receives a copy, and the company keeps one. Without this document, the truck is usually not allowed to leave or complete the settlement process.

5. Checking for Overloading

Safety is also the operator's responsibility. They must check if the total weight given by the weighbridge exceeds the legal limit for that vehicle. If the truck is overloaded, the operator has the right to request the driver to unload some of the goods; otherwise, being caught on the road will result in fines and increase the risk of accidents.

6. Taking Good Care of the Weighbridge

The operators are the people closest to the weighbridge, and they need to pay attention to the following every day:
Are there any small stones or dirt stuck in the gaps of the weighing platform? (This can jam the platform and cause inaccuracies.)
Is the instrument display working normally, or are the numbers fluctuating erratically?
If anything seems wrong, a professional maintenance technician should be called immediately for calibration.