A couple years ago we were returning from holiday in Scotland when we had a narrow escape from a falling object from a 7.5 tonne lorry. We were on A1 and were approaching the traffic lights. The road had a slight slope. We were some 50 meters behind. There was no other traffic around. As the lorry braked to stop at the red lights, the rear doors opened and a hand pallet truck fell off. Luckily it rolled down, hit the kerb and stopped. We were far enough behind to avoid it. The driver did not even notice it. One of my friends ran and told the driver while he was he was still waiting at the traffic lights. Obviously the lorry doors and the hand pallet truck were not secured properly. Imagine what would have happened if the lorry was on a busy motorway when the incident happened. This leads us to the topic of this blog, which is securing your load to avoid accidents and damage to goods.
Here are some worrying statistics from DVSA(Driver Vehicle Standards Agency) and HSE(Health and Safet Executive):
- DVSA enforcement teams prohibited nearly 1000 vehicles in England for unsecure loads in 2018/19
- 22,000 road accidents were due to falling objects in England in 2013
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that workplace transport accounts for over half of all death or injury incidents reported. This includes incidents while loading and unloading. Clearly a risk not worth taking.
DVSA enforcement teams are looking for:
- Loads that can slide forward or backward
- Loads that can slide sideways
- Loads that can topple or fall over as they are unstable
- Any loose items that can fall.
DVSA advices that all drivers examine their loads for the above issues before commencing their journey. If the DVSA examiner find the vehicle is not safe to carry on its journey, a prohibition notice will be issued and a fixed penalty ticket to the driver. The vehicle cannot be moved until it is made safe.
Load the vehicle properly
The load should be stacked against the headboard to stop it moving during braking. The centre of gravity should be as low as possible to make it stable without lashings to reduce the risk of falling during unloading. If the load is not stable on its own, put it in a box, stillage or transport frame. If you cannot place the cargo against the headboard, place pallets or wood in front of the load. It should not be able to move forward in transit. Secure it with extra lashings, sails or blocking
Headboard is a key part in securing the load. If the headboard is damaged, fix it as soon as possible.
Choose the right securing method
Whatever method you choose, the load restraint system needs to secure the load to the vehicle chassis and prevent movement. Not all loads or vehicles are the same. Choose a securing system that stops the load moving without creating other risks – like unnecessary manual handling and working at height. Webbing straps or chains are often used to secure loads, but they are not right for every situation. For example fragile or live loads need different securing methods to prevent damage.
Remember that the forces on the load while moving are higher than when stationary. Hence your securing method should cater for it.
Communication is important
Drivers must report any incident that occurs, such as movement of loads, during transit to stop it happening again. Lessons must be learned so that the situation does not escalate into a major incident.
Give drivers clear information about:
- the loads they carry
- how to unload
- what they should do if the load shifts
- a loading plan
This is particularly important if the driver has not loaded their vehicle or trailer. It’s useful for everyone involved if a loading plan is provided. The loading plan provides information on what the load is, how much it weighs and how it has been secured.
If possible, involve drivers in the loading process. If this is not possible, then drivers should be given information on how the load is secured. If the drivers are unhappy with how the load is secured, it should be assessed by a competent person and if necessary, reloaded or re-secured.
Delivering loads securely and safely is the aim of every driver. To accomplish it, ensure that your vehicle is loaded safely and with adequate means of securing it.
To highlight the issues of securing loads, DVSA created a video which is worth watching. Click on the link below to view it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjeBg4SABZw
Other useful links
- Safety of Loads on Vehicles – Code of Practice
- Load securing: vehicle operator guidance
- Cargo securing for road transport – 2014 European best practices guidelines
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