Securing loads

Key messages

Employers and duty holders must make sure that loads are safely anchored to the vehicle and that the vehicle is strong enough to take the strain.

Questions to ask

Anchor points fixed at or in the area that will be loaded (for example, the load platform of a flat-bed lorry), should not stick out above the level of the loading area when they are not being used (for example, they could sit in a dedicated niche);

The size of any niche should be no larger than is necessary for the anchorage used.

When individual parts need to be replaced because of wear or damage, load-retention strapping, demountable lifting chains, lifting cables and other systems should be replaced in sets wherever this is reasonable. This helps to make sure there are not large differences in the levels of stress that different pieces have been exposed to.

Resources

Safety of Loads on Vehicles (Department for Transport) gives detailed guidance about vehicles carrying loads on public roads, much of which is relevant to securing loads to workplace vehicles.

Updated 2021-12-14