Traders Urged to Load Safely
UK trade groups are being called on to instil safe loading practices within their fleets.
Driving for Better Business (DfBB) has urged traders to make sure their commercial vehicles are being loaded safely.
Unsafe loading can lead to serious accidents and injury. A study found that 1,200 people suffer injuries from unsafe commercial loads each year. This is dangerous practice can also cost businesses millions of pounds in damaged goods.
Loaded vehicles must meet strict regulations of loading safety before setting off. Anyone who doesn’t abide by these rules faces harsh penalties. The DfBB found that although most HGV operators know this, few know that this rule applies to all vehicles.
Industry Comment
Campaign manager for DfBB, Simon Turner said:
“Trade associations and business networks can play a huge role in raising awareness and standards. Safe loading is a responsibility that sits with everyone in the transport chain.”
Using an unsafe vehicle or trailer on a road is a criminal offence. unsafe standards include weight restrictions, the distribution of a load, and how it gets secured. Anyone seen willfully endangering other road users could face charges. The penalty for this action is an unfixed and unlimited fine.
The responsibility for a dangerous load goes the full way down the command line. This means that everyone involved in loading that vehicle from the driver to the fleet manager will be held responsible. This can also reflect on the business.
The DfBB said that open-topped trucks are the most likely vehicle to have insecure loads. They say they often see cases of the main cargo secured safely, but other equipment such as tools thrown in loose. Potholes, speed humps, and uneven road surfaces can also cause loads to shift, making it easy for an item to bounce out of an open cab.
The DfBB also says that light commercial vehicles are also more likely to get overloaded or insecure. They claim this is often because of the driver’s lack of understanding over the vehicle rating. Overloaded vehicles have a higher chance of tipping or coming off the road.
HSE Comment
HSE expert Nina Day said:
“The most common problems are inadequate – or a total lack of – risk assessment, and worn out or the wrong load-securing kit.”
The DfBB say that all vehicles should secure their loads properly to prevent them from moving forward and backwards, side to side, and upwards. Cargo should also meet the correct vehicle weight rating.
How Can We Help?
Road safety is a priority for us at Cambrian Fuel Card Services. Our Telematic Solutions help maintain the safety of everyone on the road. Our Fors Camera systems give a full 360 view of inside and outside your vehicles. The live tracking feature also shows how fast your fleet is going. This helps to prevent dangerous driving and overturned vehicles.
Traders Urged to Load Safely
