Load Safety on Lorries

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a new research report on the safety of loads on rigid-sided lorries.

The research was based on a project which sought to establish good practice for securing loads on rigid-sided lorries across various industry sectors.

The researchers defined good practice as those methods that:

• were the most practical

• involved the least risk of loads becoming unstable or falling

• presented the least risk to the operator/driver

• were practicable.

The scope of the project included a consideration of a range of methods currently used in the UK and abroad, as well as alternative methods for securing of different heavy cargoes on rigid-sided lorries.

Reference was made in the research report to current European Standards and good practice guidelines, as well as regulations and guidance from countries outside the EU.

The main findings of the report included advice that:

• loads should be secured so that they do not move relative to the trailer bed during transport

• loads should be placed against the trailer headboard if possible

• friction alone should not be relied on as a method of load securing

• cross-strapping the load was identified as the least-risk method for rollcages, but was not suitable for all types of load

• there are costs involved in securing a load, both in terms of equipment and additional time, but this should be set against the costs of the potential consequences of load shift, such as product damage, vehicle damage, delays, death or injury, and prosecution in the event of an accident

• communication between all parties involved may help to avoid or ameliorate problems surrounding load securing

• risk assessment and a loading plan prepared by someone competent is the key to good load security

Source: Croner

Posted Date: 03rd Nov 2011