4. Ways to secure a load in an HGV or goods vehicle
Equipment and methods you can use to secure a load in a goods vehicle and how to use it safely.
The equipment and methods in this section are listed in alphabetical order.
Side raves
A side rave is the steel edging of a vehicle chassis.
You can use side raves to attach securing equipment to the vehicle.
Check that the raves are compatible with the type of securing equipment you’re using.
Visually check the raves regularly for signs of:
- damage
- distortion
- corrosion
Arrange for the raves to be repaired as soon as possible if you notice any damage.
The raves may not be strong enough to use if they’re in poor condition.
Anchorage points
Check that:
- the anchorage points are compatible with the type of securing equipment you’re using
- there’s as little movement as possible in the anchorage point - restraints will not work as well if the anchorage point can move
- there are no signs of damage or distortion
Sheeting hooks
You should only use sheeting hooks to tie a sheet over the load to:
- cover loose loads
- protect the load from the weather
You must not use sheeting hooks or rope hooks as an anchor for straps or chains, even if they’re attached to side raves. They’re not designed for load securing.
You can use buckle straps (hanging black straps) and internal nets on roof rails to contain loads on standard curtainsiders.
The individual load items or stacks being secured must weigh less than 400kg. You must not use buckle straps and internal nets to secure items or stacks weighing 400kg or over.
If the load does not fill the load bed, you should either:
- secure the last row using a ratchet strap, with the load blocked to fill the gap
- use buckle straps or an internal net to form a rear bulkhead
You can use buckle straps and internal nets as a secondary securing method in case the main securing method fails. They’re generally not as strong as other securing methods and may not be suitable for all loads.
You can use bungee securing systems and kites to secure fragile or crushable loads that might be damaged by webbing straps.
Bungee securing systems
Bungee securing systems consist of ratchet straps, nets, or sheets that are:
- held into the roof of the vehicle or trailer
- brought down over the load
- secured in the same way as a normal ratchet strap
The straps should be manufactured to BS EN 12195-2.
Although the system might be held into the roof when it’s not in use, its strength does not rely on the roof structure.
Kites
You can suspend kites vertically to reduce the effect of gaps in a load. This will stop the load moving up and down the length of the vehicle or trailer.
When deciding whether to use kites you should make sure they’re strong enough for the forces likely to be exerted on them.
Chains are usually much stronger than webbing ratchet straps and less vulnerable to damage.
You should:
- check the condition of the chains before using them and visually inspect them for damage on a regular basis
- store chains in a compartment or a box with a lid when they’re not being used - this protects them from environmental damage and stops them sliding or bouncing off the load bed
When you use chains to secure heavy equipment like engineering plant and machinery, you must:
- use at least 4 chains when securing it with direct lashing
- attach each chain to different points on both the equipment and the vehicle or trailer
- attach the chains to suitable attachment points to secure the load properly
Chains are only as strong as the weakest component in the restraint system. You must not:
- use straps as anchor points for chains
- use chains as anchor points for straps
You can stop loads moving by using:
- coil wells
- rubber, plastic, or wooden chocks
- cradles
These pieces of equipment work by providing a physical barrier to movement. You will normally need to use an additional method of securing the load, but you may not need to use as many lashings.
You may need to use wheel chocks or timbers in addition to lashings when you transport plant equipment on flatbed, lowloader, and curtainsider vehicles or trailers. Make sure that the chocks or timbers are also secured to the load bed.
You may not need to use separate chocks if the vehicles are fitted with wheel recesses or an auto-chock system.
Do not rely on friction alone for load securing.
The friction between most loads and the standard load beds of most vehicles and trailers is generally low. The weight of a load alone cannot be relied on 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.
Make sure you use enough lashings to prevent load movement under normal driving conditions. 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 can get advice about using lashings from manufactures, suppliers, and trade associations.
If you decide to do the calculation yourself, you must use a coefficient of friction of 0.2 in the calculation unless:
- testing has been carried out to establish the specific coefficient of friction for that load and vehicle combination
- a high-friction surface with a certified coefficient of friction is used between the load and load bed
You should use friction matting or a high-friction floor for some load types, for example paper reels or work cabins not transported on twist locks. This will increase the coefficient of friction between the load and the load bed, so you will need fewer lashings.
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.
If the vehicle or trailer has a headboard or bulkhead that is used as part of the load securing system, you must place the load in contact with the headboard or bulkhead or within 30cm of it wherever possible. This will stop the load moving forward when the vehicle brakes.
If this is not possible (for example, if it would overload an axle), you must use an additional method of securing. You could:
- fit an obstacle, such as stacked timbers strapped to the vehicle - this effectively moves the headboard towards the back
- use blocks, timbers, dunnage, or chocks to prevent items moving forward - make sure that they’re properly secured to the vehicle
- use additional lashing
If you are carrying the load in a van, you should use straps secured to the vehicle body or pack any gaps between the load and the vehicle body.
Loading over the headboard
Divisible loads
A divisible load is a load that can be broken down into multiple smaller parts, such as a bundle of pipes or bars.
You must secure any divisible load that is higher than the headboard. You can use additional lashings to stop the load moving forward when the vehicle brakes.
Indivisible loads
An indivisible load is a load that cannot be broken down into smaller parts.
You should only load an indivisible load higher than the headboard if the headboard is as high as the centre of gravity of the load. This will stop the load toppling forward over the bulkhead when the vehicle brakes.
Positive fit is a way of securing a load inside a trailer or vehicle body that’s strong enough to withstand the forces likely to be exerted on it during the journey, for example a vehicle or trailer constructed to the BS EN 12642 XL standard.
The load itself should fill the load bed with minimal gaps wherever possible.
For effective positive fit, the load must be:
- against or within 30cm of the headboard
- loaded tightly along the length so the cumulative gap is no more than 30cm
- within 30cm of the rear doors
- within 8 cm of either side
If you cannot achieve this with the load alone, you can fill the gaps with:
- packing material
- dunnage
- empty pallets
- timbers
If you cannot fill the gaps, you must secure the load as in any non-XL rated vehicle or trailer.
You can achieve positive fit with cylindrical loads (such as paper reels) when the extremity of either one reel or two reels side by side is within 8cm of the side of the vehicle or trailer.
You can use rope for:
- sheeting or netting a light load to prevent it moving upwards or being shed
- attaching weather protection on loads that have already been secured
You can also use strong rope to secure light loads on roof racks.
Rope is not suitable for other types of load because it’s difficult to establish its load capacity and age. Ropes can also wear or deteriorate more quickly than webbing straps.
You may decide to use rope to increase safety when unloading, but it cannot be used for load securing for the journey.
You must use sheeting and netting to stop loads bouncing upwards on open vehicles (for example sided flatbeds and bulk tippers) unless the load is secured by other means.
Sheets and nets used for load securing must:
- be in good condition - there must be no rips or tears
- be suitable for the load carried
- cover the entire load bed so that no part of the load can escape
- be secured down to the vehicle or trailer
Some flatbed vehicles have a crane fitted for loading and unloading. You must not use the crane or any lifting accessories to secure a load.
If you lay down a crane, grab arm or boom over a load, you must secure it separately with lashings. You can use the rigid sides of a tipper if:
- the boom sits well below the vehicle sides
- it has been designed to withstand this kind of force
You should not use a loader crane attachment (such as a brick grab) to clamp a load as a securing method. Failure to strap down the loader crane for travel could result in uncontrolled slewing from side to side, putting other road users and pedestrians at risk.
You must stow and lock any stabiliser legs before the start of the journey.
Lifting equipment must be maintained and regularly inspected as required by the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER). It should only be operated by people who are trained and competent to do so.
You can use webbing ratchet straps to secure a wide variety of loads.
They’re an effective load securing method when used correctly, but they can be damaged easily.
Keeping straps in good condition
The webbing material is vulnerable to damage from many sources, including:
- sharp or abrasive edges
- the weather
- contamination by oil and dirt
You can keep your straps in good condition by using sleeves or protectors over corners and sharp or abrasive edges.
You should:
- store your straps somewhere dry and covered when they’re not being used
- use a storage box or compartment on the vehicle or trailer wherever possible
- check all straps at least every 6 months and record the condition
- look for any signs of damage on the straps before using them - you must replace any straps that are significantly damaged
- inspect any straps involved in a load shift incident - do not use them if they’re worn or damaged, even if the damage appears to be minor
Lashing method
Webbing straps are most effective when a suitable lashing method is used.
The most common lashing methods are:
- frictional (tie-down)
- direct - where one end of the lashing is attached to the load and the other end is attached to the vehicle or trailer
- loop (choke) - where the lashing wraps around the load
Frictional lashing
Frictional lashing is most effective when the angle of the lashing relative to the load bed is as close to vertical as possible. If the angle is less than 30°, the lashing will not be effective.
When securing a load in the middle of the load bed, or a load that is not very tall, you should either:
- increase the height of the load (for example, by placing empty pallets or other suitable item on top of it)
- change the angle of the strap using a pallet to the side
Alternatively, you could use a different method of securing.
Loop (choke) lashing
You can use loop (choke) lashing for loads such as:
- wooden boards
- planks
- poles
- pipes
Loop (choke) lashing is particularly effective when these loads are carried at an angle over the headboard of a vehicle or trailer. You must use a minimum of 2 loop (choke) lashings for this type of load unless each item is individually clamped to the headboard.
Understanding the strap label
Most ratchet straps used in the UK have a label attached to them with information about their strength and how they can be used.
Check the label to make sure you’re using the best strap for the load you want to secure. Any lashing is only as strong as its weakest component, so you need to make sure that all parts of the lashings and the attachment points are suitable for what you intend to use them for.
Strap labels often get damaged or torn off, so it’s a good idea to keep a record of the strap rating in case you need to check it later.
The most important information on the label is the:
- lashing capacity (LC) in decaNewtons (daN)
- standard tension force (STF) in daN
Lashing capacity (LC)
The LC is the maximum force the lashing can safely withstand without damage when pulled in a straight line. It’s only used to calculate the number of lashings needed in direct lashing.
Standard tension force (STF)
The STF is the working tension in the strap created when the lashing is ratcheted down over the load. It’s only used to calculate the number of lashings needed in frictional lashing.
The number of straps needed for frictional lashing will also depend on:
- whether the load is loaded to the headboard or blocked from forward movement
- the friction between the load and the load bed
- the angle of the straps relative to the load bed
Straps used in the UK usually have an STF of 350daN or lower. For some loads, you may need to use straps with an STF of 500daN or more to reduce the number of lashings required.
Other information on the strap
The strap label should also tell you:
- when the strap was manufactured
- that it was manufactured in accordance with BS EN 12195-2
Some strap labels have a ‘breaking strength’ or ‘breaking force’, but you do not need this to work out how many straps you need to secure the load.
Ratchets
Make sure that the ratchet is locked once you’ve applied the correct tension. Depending on how much friction is needed to secure a load, it may be better to use a downward pull ratchet, which allows you to apply more pressure, rather than an upward push ratchet.
