Principles of Safe Loading - Hughes Driver Training, the HGV Training & Careers Company

Blog

Principles of Safe Loading

Average Read Time: 15 minutes

In this education piece, you will learn about the following:

  • Principles of safe loading

  • Five principles of safety

  • The importance of properly restraining a load

  • Effects of forces on payload

 

By the end of this piece, you will be able to understand the crucial factors of safe HGV loading including the effects forces put on payloads.

Safe Loading

Using a Vehicle in a Dangerous Condition

A person is guilty of an offence if they use or causes or cause another to use a HGV vehicle or trailer on a road when

  • The condition of the HGV or trailer or of its accessories or equipment cause a hazard to yourself or others
  • The purpose for which it is used.
  • The number of passengers carried or the manner in which they are carried is hazardous
  • The weight, position or distribution of the vehicles load or the manner in which it is secured causes a danger of injury to any person.

Payload safety should be considered at every stage of the process.

The 5 Principles of Payload Safety

  1. Choose the right HGV
  2. Load the vehicle properly
  3. Choose the right securing technique
  4. Use sufficient payload restraints
  5. Communication is key
C Truck with Forklift

The Importance of Correctly Restraining a Payload

  • What is the impact of a lost payload on the road?
  • What is the possible impact on company’s reputation?
  • What are the risks to colleagues or customers?
  • What are the risks for yourself?

 

The Purpose of the Load Restraint System

You must counteract forces equivalent to:

  • 100% of the weight of the load moving forwards
  • 50% of the weight of the load moving rearwards or sideways

 

The Effects of Forces on the Payload

The point here is that payloads move in transit if they are not secured correctly. This happens for a few reasons, such as that if they are not secured to the vehicle then they are not part of the vehicle. This means that the vehicle and the item will move independently of each other when certain forces come into play. Forces in motion are universal.

  • Payloads move or shift in transit
  • If they are not buckled up in the vehicle then they are not part of the vehicle
  • The HGV and the item will move independently of each other when certain forces in come into play
Load Shift-01

The Effects of Forces on the Payload

The point here is that payloads move in transit if they are not secured correctly. This happens for a few reasons, such as that if they are not secured to the vehicle then they are not part of the vehicle. This means that the vehicle and the item will move independently of each other when certain forces come into play. Forces in motion are universal.

  • Payloads move or shift in transit
  • If they are not buckled up in the vehicle then they are not part of the vehicle
  • The HGV and the item will move independently of each other when certain forces in come into play

The basics of inertia:

  • A payload that is carried in or on a HGV will continue in the direction that it travels when the vehicle slows or comes to a stop if it is not secured
  • Under extreme acceleration from a standstill, the load will stay in place as the vehicle moves off, sliding to the back of the HGV, if it is not secured
Load Shift 2-01

Centrifugal Force

  • A payload under rotation will move outwards from the rotational center
  • The more mass the payload has, the harder it will be to maintain its center and not travel outwards
  • The faster the speed of rotation, the greater the force acting on the payload
Load Shift 3-01

A payload’s center of gravity is the point around which its mass is concentrated.

Payloads with a high center of gravity (top-heavy objects) are more likely to fall over under centrifugal force.

Payloads with a low center of gravity are less likely to fall over. This is why a low load is more stable than a high load.

Friction

A fully weighted ISO container weighing 26000kg has been put onto a flatbed trailer with a wooden floor, surely the weight and the fact it’s on a wooden floor will mean it won’t topple over or move!

  • Will friction be enough to stop the load from moving?
  • Would the fact it is one solid entity weighing 26000kg be enough to stop it moving?

Friction can be a positive thing and a negative thing when loading a HGV for transport.

  • It can be used to supplement load restraint systems to positive effect
  • It regularly gets over relied upon
  • It’s regularly misconceived
  • It can cause deterioration to lashings and payloads

Friction Lashing

Straps are placed over the payload and fixed to the lashing points on the vehicle to create downward pressure, which enhances the effects of friction.

Misconceptions concerning friction:

  • Friction alone is sufficient to secure a load
  • Heavy goods generate enough friction that they will not shift

The Consequences of Poor Load Safety Standards

  • Death and/or injury
  • Damage to the payload
  • Damage to the HGV
  • Stall deliveries
  • Disciplinary or loss of career
  • Financial cost and fines
  • Jail
  • Harm of reputation
No comments yet.

Leave a Reply