Loading a commercial vehicle, and restraining that load, might seem like it is a relatively straightforward process. Load your goods, tie them down and away you go but in reality, there are a few more steps behind doing it safely and effectively. Restraining your vehicle’s load properly and securely is incredibly important. Nationwide Training offers load restraint training that is perfect to keep you in the know and up to date when it comes to restraining the goods you need to transport.
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has a fantastic post of their own which will keep you up to date regarding changes in the regulations but here we will tell you why it is important to do the job right before you even get on the road.
Safety
This is the number one reason why load restraint, and having taken the appropriate training is so important. To keep you, the public and the goods you are transporting safe. If a load falls off during transit you can do a serious amount of damage. This can be to people, property, your vehicle or even other vehicles.
A load that isn’t properly restrained can shunt forward, piercing its way through the transit vehicles cab and injuring or even fatally wounding the cab driver. It can also fall off of the back of your vehicle potentially coming into contact with fast moving vehicles which can seriously injure the driver or passengers. The same goes for pedestrians and property it could come into contact with.
An improperly restrained load can also compromise the balance of the vehicle causing it to become unstable. This, much like the load falling off the vehicle, can cause just as devastating accidents.
There is a variety of load restraint equipment that can make your job much easier and safer such as load angles to protect your goods for transport and avoid the strap restraints from crushing them. There are also different types of restraints that are suited to different loads. So it is important to research and use the correct straps depending on what goods you are transporting.
Aside from the human cost that can arise from improperly restrained loads there can be a significant impact on your business. Such as loss of reputation to loss of money and goods. Both of which can negatively impact the ruling and profits of your business.
Complying with Regulations
Load restraint, much like anything else, is governed by rules and regulations that have been put in place to maintain the safety of all involved. You are responsible for the load if you are involved in any of the steps taken to load, restrain, transport and unload it so it is incredibly important to know what you are legally required to do.
Some basic load requirements you must meet are:
. Ensuring the load is properly restrained so that the goods can’t become dislodge or fall off entirely
. That the load is placed in a way that does not compromise the stability of the vehicle
. That you restrain all loads with an appropriate restraining method.
. That the load is properly restrained so that it meets all loading performance standards
We here at Nationwide Training provide not only effective and reliable load restraint training, but also a glove box Load Restraint Guide. It is a highly recommended resource from our Load Restraint trainers and has been designed specifically to meet the demands of freight handlers, vehicle drivers, and company managerial staff in charge of transport and logistics operations.