Guidance and Publications

What to consider:

1. Choose a suitable vehicle: the vehicle must be suitable for the type and size of the load
2. Position the load correctly on the vehicle: the load must be positioned to maintain adequate stability, steering and braking and not overload tyres and axles
3. Use suitable restraint equipment: the load restraint equipment and the vehicle body and attachments must be strong enough for each type of load carried and must be in good working condition
4. Provide adequate load restraint: every load must be restrained to prevent unacceptable movement during all expected conditions of operation. This includes emergency braking. The European Standard EN12195 series (2010) deals with Load Restraining on Road Vehicles and Load Restraint Assemblies on Road Vehicles.
5. Use appropriate driving methods: take account of effects of the load on the vehicle's driving mechanism and check the load and restraints during the journey
6. Guidance & practical examples of safe load securing, can be found in the European Best Practice Guidelines on Cargo Securing for Road Transport and the International Road Transport Unions International Guidelines on Safe Load Securing for Road Transport referenced below.

Note on Curtainsiders: Unless the side curtains and the trailer body are purposely designed according to EN12642-XL, the curtains of curtain-sided vehicles MUST NOT be considered as part of any load restraint system. If the curtains have been designed as an integral part of a restraint system, the load capability should be clearly marked on the vehicle - if no mark can be seen, then it should be assumed that the curtain has NO load bearing function

HSA Publications about Safe Load Securing

		Load Security Information Sheet This sheet gives basic information on securing loads on or in vehicles driven on the road. In this context, the term 'load' means any objects, tools, equipment, goods or cargo. The information is aimed at anyone who transports loads in any type of vehicle for work purposes.
		Moving Goods Safely — Loading Tips Moving Goods Poster
		International Guidelines on Safe Load Securing for Road Transport Guidelines aimed at providing basic practical information and instruction to all persons in the transport chain involved in loading/unloading and securing load on vehicles, including consignors, carriers and shippers.

Other Useful Load Securing Resources