SAFETY MATTERS

Safe loading, unloading and load securing

Some vehicle operations can be categorised as high-risk activities because of the volume of known bad-outcome incidents that have occurred when these activities are being carried out. The aim of this article is to highlight good practice with regard to one of those - loading and unloading, and to highlight practices that are necessary in performing these activities safely.

Unsafe loading and unloading can cause:

n a vehicle to be unsafe as a result of overloading n a vehicle to be unstable as a result of load shift

n injury to loaders or unloaders, or n injury to other road users.

Failure to secure loads properly may lead to load shift, or load collapse, which can cause danger to road users as well as to loaders and unloaders. Safe loading procedures should be in place to ensure that loads do not exceed the rated load capacity of the vehicle.

Procedures should also be in place to ensure that customer vehicles are loaded safely, with the cooperation of those involved. These procedures should be documented in a loading plan. Workplace procedures should clearly state the role of the driver in loading, securing and unloading operations. If the driver is not involved in loading, he or she must remain at a safe location away from the activity.

The consignor should give the driver a signed copy of the loading plan detailing how the consignment has been loaded, stowed and secured on the vehicle. If drivers are involved in loading or unloading, they should sign the loading plan. Loading and unloading should only be carried out by trained authorised people. Where practical, loading and unloading should be carried out in a designated area away from passing traffic, pedestrians and others not involved in loading or unloading vehicles. Where this is not practical, risks to pedestrians and passing traffic must be minimised. Only trained, authorised persons should be permitted to access the loading area.

Three-way co-operation between the consignor, the person in control of the delivery site, and the driver is essential to ensure that loads can be delivered or collected safely and efficiently. In addition, equipment provided for loading and unloading must be compatible with the vehicle. Drivers must familiarise themselves with loading and unloading procedures for their own and for customer or supplier premises. They should report to the person in charge of the site for any relevant instructions before loading and unloading the vehicle. Drivers and loaders should wear high-visibility clothing when they work around other moving vehicles, and vehicles should be braked, stabilised and immobilised as appropriate, to prevent unsafe or unexpected movement during loading and unloading.

Drivers, loaders and supervisors must ensure that the vehicle is suitable for the load to be transported, and they should know the load capacity and configuration of the vehicle being used so that loading and unloading can be done correctly and safely. They must also make sure that vehicles are loaded in a manner so that they are safe for transport. Every item of cargo has the potential to shift in transit, so the load should be stowed, secured and restrained so that it will not move. The load should be placed against the headboard if possible. If there is a gap, an intermediate bulkhead should be fitted, or blocking or dunnage used to fill the gap to prevent the load moving forward. Loading and unloading should be carried out so that, as far as possible, the weight of the load is spread evenly across the vehicle or trailer at all times, to prevent instability. The load should be secured and arranged in a manner that prevents sliding or toppling. Equipment used to restrain the load, such as bars, chains and straps, must be in good condition. Additional measures will be required to secure a load which is to be transported by sea.

When loading is complete, supervisors and those involved in the loading operation should check that the load is properly secured. Supervisors should give signed approval as part of the handover to the driver.

For further, more detailed, information on loading and unloading and the safe securing of loads, go to the Health & Safety Authority’s website at https://www.hsa.ie/ eng/Vehicles_at_Work/.