2. Load securing: the basics
How to decide on a load securing system, what to check before loading a vehicle, and how to stabilise a load.
A load securing system is the method you use to secure the load.
Depending on the type of load and vehicle, the load securing system can consist of:
- the structure of the vehicle
- physical barriers to movement such as coil wells, internal bulkheads, stanchions, pins and chocks
- lashings
- friction matting, a high-friction floor or surface
Choosing a load securing system
There is no single solution that will work for every load and vehicle combination. Drivers and vehicle operators should choose the most suitable securing system for their load and vehicle.
It’s important to think about how the load securing system will work in practice and whether there are other risks like working at height.
Operators and consignors can make sure that the securing system is working effectively by:
- assessing the risks
- monitoring and evaluating different securing solutions
British (BS EN) Standards
You can use load securing technical standards published by the British Standards Institution (BSI) to help you decide on a load securing system.
The standards are not legal requirements under road traffic law, but they are used as recognised reference standards. This means:
- you can use them as a reference when deciding on a suitable securing system
- regulators will refer to them when deciding whether a load securing system is suitable
If you choose to buy equipment constructed to a BS EN standard, you can be sure of how strong it is and whether it’s suitable for its intended purpose.
You can buy copies of the British Standards from the British Standards Institution. The most important British Standards for load securing purposes are:
| Standard | Title |
|---|---|
| BS EN 12195-1:2010 | Load restraining on road vehicles. Safety - calculation of securing forces |
| BS EN 12195-2:2001 | Load restraint assemblies on road vehicles. Safety - web lashing made from man-made fibres |
| BS EN 12195-3:2001 | Load restraint assemblies on road vehicles. Safety - lashing chains |
| BS EN 12640:2019 | Intermodal loading units and commercial vehicles. Lashing points for cargo securing. Minimum requirements and testing |
| BS EN 12641-1:2019 | Intermodal loading units and commercial vehicles. Tarpaulins - minimum requirements |
| BS EN 12641-2:2019 | Intermodal loading units and commercial vehicles. Tarpaulins - minimum requirements for curtainsiders |
| BS EN 12642:2016 | Securing of cargo on road vehicles. Body structure of commercial vehicles. Minimum requirements |
| BS 7121-4:2010 | Code of practice for safe use of cranes - lorry loaders |
BS 5759:1987 (Specification for webbing load restraint assemblies for use in surface transport) has been withdrawn. If you have webbing ratchet straps made to this standard, you should replace them with straps made to the current standard, BS EN 12195-2:2001.
The load securing system you 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
This is the minimum requirement for normal driving on the road. It applies to all vehicles and all loads regardless of size or weight.
A load secured to this standard should be able to withstand foreseeable emergency manoeuvres like:
- an emergency stop
- swerving to avoid an obstruction on the road
Friction
You cannot rely on the weight of a load alone to keep it in place once the vehicle is moving. Even if the load is very heavy and cannot be moved by hand when the vehicle is stationary, it might still move during the journey.
This is because the friction between most loads and the standard load beds of most vehicles and trailers is generally low.
You should use enough lashings to prevent load movement under normal driving conditions. You can get advice about using lashings from manufacturers, suppliers, and trade associations.
If you decide to do the calculation yourself, you must use the following as the coefficient of friction:
- the specific coefficient of friction for that load and vehicle combination, if testing has been done to work it out
- the certified coefficient of friction for a high-friction surface used between the load and load bed
- 0.2 in all other cases
If there is a serious load shift, enforcement agencies will refer to BS EN 12195 1: 2010 Load restraining on road vehicles Safety Part 1: Calculation of securing forces when deciding if you have used enough lashings.
You do not need to know the coefficient of friction or test the coefficient of friction for every load or vehicle combination unless your securing system explicitly relies on a specific value.
Coefficient of friction explained
The ‘coefficient of friction’ is a way to measure how easy it is for 2 surfaces to slide against each other.
The lower the coefficient of friction, the easier it is for the objects to slide against each other. For example, a load will be more likely to move on a wet or icy load bed.
Covering your load
Covering a load should only be used to contain a product.
Using a cover can stop items from bouncing out of a vehicle or loose loads, such as sand, from being blown from a vehicle.
The cover you choose must be suitable for the load type. Depending on your load this could be a:
- tarpaulin
- sheeting
- net
Using a cover does not provide sufficient restraint and must only be used with other load securing measures such as lashings.
Additional load security
There may be circumstances where extra load security is needed.
Very large or tall loads
You may need to use additional lashings or a similar securing method for very large or tall loads, especially if you’re carrying them on a vehicle that does not have a headboard.
Travelling by sea
If the journey is partly by sea, you may need to use additional securing methods to comply with maritime regulations.
Weather
Weather can affect the security of your load. You should think about using additional securing in:
- snow or ice
- wet weather
- strong winds
Before you load a vehicle, you should check its:
- load platform
- bodywork
- anchorage points
- twist locks (where fitted)
Make sure that they’re appropriate for the load and that they’re in good condition.
Check that the load will not exceed the vehicle’s maximum permitted axle and gross weight limits.
If a part of the load is going to be picked up or removed during the journey, you should consider how it will affect:
- gross weight
- individual axle weights
- securing and stability of the load
Removing part of the load will reduce the gross vehicle weight, but the change in weight distribution may overload individual axles. This is also known as the diminishing load effect. It may also affect the security of the load – find out more about positive fit.
You must make sure that the load is stable on the vehicle before securing it for transport.
Unstable loads may move during the journey or fall from the vehicle once the lashings are removed for unloading.
It may be necessary to transport some loads in a:
- transport frame
- box
- stillage
- cage
Where to put the load
You should:
- put the load near to the vehicle’s centre line and keep its centre of gravity as low as possible – this helps to keep the load and the vehicle stable
- spread the load to give an even weight distribution over the whole floor area
- put lighter items near the sides of the vehicle
- distribute the weight of small but heavy loads across the vehicle platform using load spreading devices (for example pallets or large wooden boards)
- secure the heaviest items on the lower deck or swan-neck for multi-deck trailers
- make sure all wheeled loads, such as plant equipment, are entirely supported by the load bed
- arrange the load so that it does not obstruct the driver’s field of vision, including the rear view through the driving mirrors
Stacking items
When stacking items, you should:
- put larger and heavier items at the bottom of the stack
- put heavier items nearer to the centre line of the vehicle
- make sure lower items in the stack are strong enough to support the others when the vehicle is braking, cornering, or accelerating
This short video shows some of the basics of load securing, including:
- what a load securing system must do
- some methods of load securing
- how to secure stacked loads
- what a load plan is