The importance of load security

Over 20,000 road impact incidents have occurred in the UK on an annual basis by objects falling from vehicles. The danger of any item falling from a vehicle is obvious, and clearly the risk of injury or death, the delays caused on the road network, and inevitable damage to goods in transit is clear for all to understand.

With overloading significantly affecting the way a vehicle handles, especially in an emergency, and insecure loads causing safety concerns on our roads, it’s vital that an organisation and manager or owner are confident that their drivers are trained, and understand the need to secure loads, how to secure loads, and how to correctly use and secure all the equipment this might involve.

Securing loads may appear to be common sense, but ultimately anything that is loaded onto a vehicle has to be secured and steps must be taken to make sure nothing falls onto a road or causes any potential risk to other road users.

Driving for Better Business share resources and information for organisations to share with their employees. Here is the link: https://www.drivingforbetterbusiness.com/fleet-safety-focus-monthly-update/safe-loading/

The British Department for Transport have also produced The Code of Practice for the safety of loads on vehicles. Here is the link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/securing-loads-on-hgvs-and-goods-vehicles