With a police-backed initiative launching this week, if ever there was a time to ask the question it’s now.
The DVSA Vehicle Load Security Enforcement Campaign, which runs between 22-26 July, is drawing attention to the dangers of goods not being transported properly. It’s also a timely reminder that carrying an insecure load is an offence. Besides a possible prosecution or fixed penalty, it will also count adversely against your Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) in relation to your Operators Licence, and may also lead to the DVSA looking further into your company’s overall compliance.
Here's a reminder of the current Enforcement Matrix.
From our experience, most issues tend to concern curtain-siders and flat-bed vehicles.
As the curtains on curtain-siders are only for weather protection, they are effectively a flat-bed fitted with a gazebo. Therefore, loads must be secured either rail to rail, or to the floor-mounted securing points. Even if drivers state that they have reinforced curtains, these are only of use if they are used as part of an XL-rated system which includes the vehicle body, the curtain tracks and the roof - not just the curtains. Vehicles built to this standard are certified and have an identifying plate as proof.
Furthermore, “Y”2 straps are not sufficient to provide adequate load security, and the law requires that the load restraint system is capable of withstanding 50% of the weight of the load. The light mid-steel bar to which the straps are attached will take that force. As shown in the picture below, that in turn is attached to the roof.
As you can see, load security is a more complex issue than first appears, with plenty for vehicle operators to get their heads around if they want to avoid the attention of the DVSA and, more importantly, a catastrophic incident on the UK’s roads. However, government guidance is available: www.gov.uk/government/publications/loadsecuring-vehicle-operator-guidance/load-securing-vehicle-operator-guidance
Alternatively, if advice from an expert perspective would take a load off your mind, please contact Transport Management Solutions on 01275 390001.
