No pain to restrain

We have all seen a truck loaded to the point of appearing like an accident waiting to happen. Driving near one is stressful enough, but what about being a passenger or pilot of one? 

Following the correct load restraint procedures for a heavy vehicle is safer (and better for the blood pressure) than risking a white-knuckle ride.

Read on for a quick load restraint refresher to help maintain proper practices and ensure that your business meets its Chain of Responsibility (CoR) obligations.

Safety first, always

It’s a no-brainer for any seasoned operator, but it never hurts to remember that safety is paramount when using load restraints. And it’s not simply because it mitigates avoidable damage to your work vehicle and other road users.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) places great emphasis on correct load restraint, making it a key part of Australian Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and Regulations.

Under the HVNL, all parties must also adhere to CoR regulations, from the picker, loader, driver, scheduler and manager—anyone with some form of influence or control over a load's packing, restraint, and transport. 

Get a load of this…

In Australia, the ‘chain of responsibility’ refers to everyone involved in the operations of a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of over 4,500 kg or 4.5 tonnes.

The laws apply everywhere in the country (excluding the Northern Territory), and in Western Australia, CoR laws also extend to light vehicles (GVM of 4.5 tonnes or less).

In terms of load restraint, this equates to everyone having a stake in ensuring:

• the use of a vehicle with a suitable design, adequate load-carrying capacity and sufficient space to avoid dangerous overhang
• the load is restrained using correct structures, attachments and equipment, and safe operating procedures
• the structure, attachments and equipment are in good working order and suitable for the application
• the restraint equipment is released and removed using safe operating procedures, and the load is safely removed from the vehicle

Whether you’re the manager of a large fleet, a tradie with a truck, or an owner-operator running a small business with a few trucks, you’ll need to ensure that proper loading procedures are in place and that every team member follows them.

Basic legal requirements

Also underpinning the HVNL is the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation, or MDL regulation, which applies to correct load restraint.

According to this regulation, all loads must be:

• placed in a stable and safe way
• secured in a way that prevents items from falling or being dislodged
• appropriately restrained and meet the loading performance standards of the MDL regulation

Here to help

With all vehicles and the job at hand being different, there’s no one-size-fits-all to load restraint, which is why it’s so important to get advice specific to your application.

This list of government and industry resources contains information on load restraint, CoR obligations, and more:

• Load Restraint Guide (NHVR)
• Regulatory advice: loading and load restraint (NHVR)
• Mass and Dimension (NHVR)
• Transporting loads in Queensland
• Securing loads Transport Victoria
• For a practical guide on load restraint types, check out the Coates Load Restraint Guide
• Heavy Vehicle National Law and Regulations (HVNL)
• Chain of Responsibility (CoR)

Sum of it all

It pays to think outside the cab, as there is more than just driver safety at risk when driving overloaded or with insecure cargo.

Unfortunately, negligent load restraint has been documented as causing significant injuries to other vehicles and road users in Australia, such as car drivers and pedestrians.

The financial risks for negligent load restraint, such as fines, must also be considered. Fines can be in excess of $242 for individuals involved in a minor incident and up to $80,595 for a company involved in a severe risk breach.

Cargo loss or damage also has a negative effect on profit margins for your business and your customers, not to mention any potential loss of reputation or further work.

There are other costs that no one ever wants to weigh up: costs to health and family if you are laid up in a hospital due to an accident, and in the absolute worst-case scenario, the cost of your life or the life of someone else.

The good news is that plenty of resources and training are available for Australian businesses and sole traders to take advantage of.

Not sure what your vehicle can tow? Check out this blog here to find the facts and brush up on your towing knowledge.