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Secure your loads properly or leave the industry for good
Page 26
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OPERATORS, MANAGERS and drivers are endangering the lives of road users throughout Europe on a daily basis. Many examples of insecure loads can be observed on the European road network whenever you travel.
Flatbeds relying on gravity to secure the load to the trailer. curtainsiders that have magic curtains which enable thin air and gravity to secure the load, and my personal favourite,the tractor and semi-trailer near Corley services Mh North on 25 July transporting a wheeled loading shovel with no chains, no straps and no rope— only gravity keeping the 10-tonne machine on the trailer.
Would all operators, managers and drivers that condone these methods of load security please stand, take a bow, and leave the industry for good by Monday?
Insecure loads can kill. Remember 15 December 1995, Cornwall — the unrestrained back actor on a 180 digger that was being transported swung into the path of oncoming traffic; five people were killed.
Remember 11 June 2003,M1 North near Leicester — three army tracked vehicles were thrown from a semi deck transporter as the driver attempted to avoid another vehicle in front of him: 11 vehicles were involved in the incident, five people were killed, and traffic was delayed for hours.
'The police can stop and charge drivers for having an insecure load using the penalty point and fine tariffs. You can earn three to nine penalty points for an insecure load as the driver. Operators and managers may also be charged and receive penalty points for causing or permitting the offence.
Vosa and the TCs can also take action against the 0-licence and driving licence of those involved.
Any restraint used must be able to withstand a force of not less than the total weight of the load in a fonvards direction, and not less than half of the load in a backwards or sideways direction. Curtainsider curtains are designed to keep the weather out, not to keep the load in, unless the trailer supplier has supplied a certificate that states the curtain will retain a load as described above. Health and safety legislation, the Construction & Use regulations, the PUWER regulations, and the Working at Height regulations are just some of the legally enforceable regulations that affect load security.
As a road transport operator you have a legal duty to provide the necessary equipment to ensure the safe transportation of loads and equipment on the public highway. Your managers and drivers are also legally responsible to ensure the equipment is used in the correct manner and maintained in a serviceable condition.
A casual inspection of securing equipment found on any unit or trailer will reveal non-compliance with most regulations excessive wear, faulty or damaged components, and restraints that do not have the capacity to restrain the loads transported.
A five-tonne-rated ratchet and strap assembly will not restrain five tonnes if fitted with the standard 2.5-tonne safe working load ratchet assembly found on most of the low-cost strap assemblies used in the transport industry. All securing equipment should be marked with a safe working load and kept in working order. Just because the trailer manufacturer supplied load-securing equipment with the trailer when it was new doesn't mean it is suitable for your current operations.
As a test. when the next loaded trailer pulls into the yard, be it a curtainsider, box trailer, flat, or lowloader, go out and see for yourself how the load is secured. Be warned — it doesn't matter how large or small your company is, what you find will probably spoil your day.
Martin Barnes Project manager, operational logistics Navarm Highbridge, Somerset