Summary
How to make sure goods and other items are loaded, secured and unloaded safely from HGVs, trailers, vans and cars.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
When you transport goods in a heavy goods vehicle (HGV), trailer, van or car, you need to make sure they are loaded, transported and unloaded safely.
This code of practice will help you:
- follow the law
- decide the best way to transport goods safely
- load and unload vehicles safely
It’s for:
- vehicle operators (whether you hold an operator licence or not)
- drivers
- companies loading vehicles (‘consignors’)
This guide has replaced ‘Safety of loads on vehicles: code of practice’ and ‘Load securing: vehicle operator guidance’.
Terms used in this guide
In this guide, a vehicle can also mean a trailer or an articulated combination.
Following this guidance is only compulsory where it says you ‘must’ or ‘must not’ do something. However, it’s your responsibility to assess the risks of your own operation and follow the law.
Contents
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Why load security is important, what operators, drivers and consignors must do when loading and transporting goods, and how load security is enforced.
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How to decide on a load securing system, what to check before loading a vehicle, and how to stabilise a load.
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How to safely decide whether you can continue your journey or take other action.
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Equipment and methods you can use to secure a load in a goods vehicle and how to use it safely.
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How to secure loads on different types of vehicle.
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Ways to load items on a goods vehicle safely.