A new guide has been published by the UK government on how to make sure goods and other items are loaded, secured and unloaded safely from HGVs, trailers, vans and cars. The new guide has replaced ‘Safety of loads on vehicles: code of practice’ and ‘Load securing: vehicle operator guidance’.
When you transport goods in a heavy goods vehicle (HGV), trailer, van or car, you need to make sure they are loaded, transported and unloaded safely. This code of practice will help you:
- follow the law
- decide the best way to transport goods safely
- load and unload vehicles safely
It’s for vehicle operators (whether you hold an operator licence or not), drivers and companies loading vehicles (‘consignors’) and includes:
Responsibility for load security
Why load security is important, what operators, drivers and consignors must do when loading and transporting goods, and how load security is enforced.
Load securing: the basics
How to decide on a load securing system, what to check before loading a vehicle, and how to stabilise a load.
What to do if a load becomes unstable during a journey
How to safely decide whether you can continue your journey or take other action.
Ways to secure a load in an HGV or goods vehicle
Equipment and methods you can use to secure a load in a goods vehicle and how to use it safely.
How to load different HGVs, light goods vehicles, small vans and cars
How to secure loads on different types of vehicle.
How to carry different types of load in HGVs and goods vehicles
Ways to load items on a goods vehicle safely.
You can view and read the guidance on the government website here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/securing-loads-on-hgvs-and-goods-vehicles or contact us for more information, support and training on this matter.
