HGV Load Security: How to ensure you adhere to the UK’s HGV loading regulations

Proper loading and securing of HGV cargo is essential for maintaining road safety and ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of goods.

In the UK, there are extremely specific rules and regulations that govern HGV load security outlining the responsibilities that truck owners, & operators have when loading a vehicle. These include considerations for the type of load, its height and weight but also what type of restraint is best to help secure the load over a long journey.

Here at Fleetex, we are passionate about ensuring the safety of all those in the trucking industry and recommend that all HGV drivers and transport managers are kept up to date regarding the latest loading regulations.

What are the HGV loading regulations?

The UK has strict guidelines for HGV loading to ensure the safety of all parties involved and help improve ongoing road safety.

Key regulations include the Road Traffic Act 1991, which mandates that loads must be secured to prevent any part from falling or becoming dislodged.

There are also specific weight regulations that differ based on the weight of the HGV being used. A 44 tonne lorry, which is a tractor unit plus a trailer can run at a total gross weight of 44 tonnes which includes the vehicle weight and the loads weight. The load capacity will vary depending on the weight of the vehicle.

The UK Government also provides a range of additional guidance regarding the specific responsibilities of truck owners & operators, the types of load securing restraints available, and useful information regarding the different types of HGV loads.

Other regulations relating to the safe loading and unloading of HGVs include:

• The Road Traffic Act 1988 (as amended), section 40A – Using vehicle in dangerous condition etc.
• Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, section 100 – Maintenance and use of vehicle so as not to be a danger etc.
• The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 2 – General duties of employers to their employees
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
• Work at Height Regulations 2005

Why load security matters

Safety is the key consideration when ensuring proper load security. All loads carried on vehicles, particularly HGVs must be secure to help protect the people involved in loading, unloading and driving the vehicle.

Unsecured loads can have some dire consequences and can significantly impact the handling of a vehicle, the braking distance and the risk of a rollover which could put the lives of other road users at risk.

Ensuring adequate load security and stability is also essential from a business perspective. Correctly secure loads should arrive at their intended destination undamaged and be able to be unloaded safely. This ensures customer satisfaction by making sure goods are not damaged or destroyed and also helps protect the workforce in charge of unloading.

What is a load securing system

In its simplest form a load securing system is any method used by a truck owner or operator to secure their load to prevent increased risk of damage to goods or harm to pedestrians.

Depending on the type of load and vehicle being used the complexity of the load securing system will vary. For example, a load securing system can consist of a variety of elements such as the structure of the HGV, physical barriers to movement such as pins, lashing, ropes or friction matting, all designed to help limit movement of a load in transit.

What does a load securing system need to do?

According to the UK Government’s official guidance, any load securing system in use must be able to withstand forces equivalent to:

• the entire weight of the load in the forward direction
• half the weight of the load to the sides
• half the weight of the load to the rear

However, external circumstances such as the type of journey being undertaken and extreme road conditions may mean that additional securing is required, ensuring to evaluate these elements before undertaking a journey is essential.

Who is responsible for HGV load security

Everyone involved in the loading and unloading of an HGV shoulders the responsibility of ensuring that the load is secured and managed correctly.

Operator Responsibilities

As an HGV operator or owner, your key responsibilities relate to the vehicle itself. HGV operators are therefore responsible for ensuring that any HGV they send for loading is roadworthy, suitable for it’s intended purpose & driven by a qualified person.

Operators must also provide drivers with adequate loading training, equipment and instructions if they are expected to load a vehicle themselves.

Driver Responsibilities

As a driver who loads vehicles you are responsible for ensuring any securing equipment used is up to code and suitable for it’s intended purpose. You should also raise any concerns you may have with your HGV operator should these arise before a journey is undertaken.

What to check before loading a vehicle

As mentioned above, when it comes to securing a load there are a variety of different options available, all of which have their own specific use cases.

Some of the most common load securing options include:

Attachment points:

Attachment and anchorage points are fixed points often located on the bed of a trailer designed to be used in tandem with additional load restraints such as ropes or straps.

These should be checked before each journey when securing a load to ensure that there is no damage or corrosion and to ensure that there is no movement in the anchorage point itself.

Buckle Straps:

Buckle straps are one of the more common methods of load security and are often found hanging from the roof of a trailer.

However, buckle straps are often utilised as a complementary method in case the mains securing system fails and are not recommended to secure items or stacks of goods exceeding 400kg in weight. However, this does depend on the strap weight limit.

Chains:

Chains are a much stronger form of strapping and are less vulnerable to general wear and tear making them a great option for securing heavier loads.

When using chains, it is important to check the condition before loading your vehicle. When securing your load, use at least 4 chains attached to suitable anchorage points to ensure that your load is secured properly.

Friction Matting:

As its name suggests, friction matting is a form of trailer bed cover designed to increase the friction between a load and the bed of a trailer helping minimise movement when in transit.

Friction matting should never be used as a load securing system on its own and should always be accompanied by straps, chains, rope or pins.

Ultimately the method of load security you use will vary depending on the risk assessment you have completed, the load you are carrying, and the vehicle being used.

What to do if a load becomes unstable during a journey

Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, unfortunately there have been recorded incidents of secured loads moving slightly in transit. This can be due to external circumstances or an oversight during the loading process.

If you notice that a load may have moved even remotely during transit it is essential that you fix the issue as soon as possible. As soon as you aware of the issue, you should slow down, avoiding heavy braking or steering & look for a safe place to pull over when you can re-secure the load before continuing your journey.

If the load becomes dislodged entirely and is likely to put other road users in danger you should stop in a safe place as soon as possible and call 999 to report the issue to the police. This is particularly true on busier roads such as motorways.

More Information

Whilst we have tried to be as comprehensive as possible, you can never be too cautious when it comes to proper load management and security. For additional information, the UK Government’s official guidance can be found here.

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