Imagine seeing your valuable equipment or products flying off the back of your truck. Or worse, causing a catastrophic accident because your goods weren’t securely loaded, and your vehicle careened out of control.
Securing cargo correctly, no matter what industry you’re in, is not only a legal requirement but a smart and ethical business move. It protects you from financial loss and spiked insurance premiums, safeguards your business’ integrity and reputation, and most importantly, keeps your drivers and other road users safe.
What are the laws on load restraints?
Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law and its equivalents, all parties involved in the transportation chain bear a responsibility for safe load restraint. This includes ensuring that loads are packed, loaded, moved and unloaded in compliance with the law. If your business fails to adhere to these regulations, there may be serious legal repercussions. It is crucial to ensure that you follow the relevant load restraint regulations in your region or work site to ensure compliance.
How to choose the right type of restraint?
To choose the most appropriate load restraint, you need to consider the weight, shape and balance of the load, as well as the amount of friction between the load surfaces and the vehicle deck.
Tie-down loads rely on friction to keep the load from moving forwards, sideways or backwards. Lashings under tension are used to create this friction. It’s important to remember that the more horizontal the angle of the lashing, the weaker the clamping force it will have.
Direct restraints are used for loads with slippery surfaces or machinery on wheels, and involve Containing, Blocking or Attaching loads on vehicles.
"We understand there can be some ambiguity between load types and restraints. That’s why it’s important to get the right advice before embarking on transporting any load,” says Paul O’Halloran of Bullivants.
Bullivants offers a wide range of products including webbing assemblies, chains and accessories, all designed to meet diverse needs and applications. All are compliant with AS/NZS 4380, ensuring that your restraints have the necessary strength and durability to secure any type of load.
“While there’s legal requirements for all transport operators to restrain loads, ultimately, it’s to keep everyone safe. Through our own transport activities, we go further with our own Life Saving Rules - an internal initiative that’s resonated positively with employees across both Bullivants and Blackwoods.”
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