NZ Heavy Haulage Association

Oversize Load Piloting 101

By Jonathan Bhana-Thomson – chief executive, New Zealand Heavy Haulage Association

The NZ Heavy Haulage Association is keen to see a focus on the fundamentals of safe piloting. Photo: Popeye Truck Photos.

THERE ARE MANY ASPECTS OF LOAD PILOTING THAT, OUT ON

the road, are just are not being done. Here’s some of the important things to concentrate on.

1. Vehicle Requirements for Piloting

The requirements for the pilot vehicle and what lights and signs that you need are all contained in the Vehicle Dimension and Mass Rule 2016 and NZTA has a Load Pilot Course Guide for Class 2 pilots.

Things to watch for here, are simply to use the right sign for the job – and mount it on a roof rack as required. Then make sure the correct lights for that job are used – the purple lights are only for loads over 5m in width.

Have well maintained gear with highly visible STOP paddles and quality hi-vis gear so that you can control traffic with authority.

Load pilots should also be familiar with the travelling provisions for oversize loads – such as the permitted travel times.

2. A Load Pilot Licence is Required

The pilot regime of class 2 (entry level) and class 1 (higher level) have been around now for 20 years. The class 2 licence is not hard to get – either though Aspeq if you are a starter, or by gaining a Unit Standard with a MITO assessor. The latter option is the better one if you wish to go on to become a class 1 pilot.

Carry your pilot licence with you when piloting. It’s not a legal requirement to carry it, but if you are checked over the CVST then it’s good to be able to produce it on the spot.

Use experienced pilots that are up to date with traffic conditions, have local roading knowledge, and have contacts with roading contractors to ensure that the load movement goes smoothly.

3. A Load Pilot is There for the Safety of Other Road Users

The main role for the pilot is there to warn other road users that there is an oversize load travelling behind them, that may impact on their safety. It is up to the load pilot(s) to assess the size of the load, the route that it is being transported on, what pinch points/ restrictions are on the route (such as narrow bridges), and what the traffic flows are like.

Load pilots need to be far enough ahead of the load to ensure that they give sufficient warning to on-coming drivers, but also not so far ahead that the warning is not connected by other drivers to the load behind it. New pilots to the industry should learn by working with other more experienced pilots.

Where required, the use of the CB to warn other truckies coming towards the load is a good practice to get in to.

4. Use the Correct Number of Load Pilots

The VDAM Rule specifies the minimum number of load pilots required with each Category of oversize load. Note that some categories when travelling at night require additional pilots.

In addition, if the route that the load is travelling will have high numbers of on-coming traffic, or has significant physical challenges then consider putting on an extra front pilot to assist with traffic control.

In short, know what the legal requirements are, learn from other more experienced pilots, and be proactive about your piloting skills and knowledge. T&D

Jonathan Bhana-Thomson