How to carry a load safely:
- Choose a suitable vehicle for your load.
- Position and place the load so that it is secure.
- Select suitable restraint equipment – it should be ‘rated’ and meet Australian Standards.
- You may need to adjust your headlights when your vehicle is loaded.
- Drive carefully and regularly check your restraints.
How to properly secure your load:
Different loads should be transported differently. There are general checks you can do, but the way you carry a load will depend on the load itself.
- Bundle similar items together, in a more stable single unit.
- Use restraints when packing wooden boards; anti-slip matting prevents items from sliding, especially long items.
- Ropes can be difficult to keep tight across your load. When available use webbing straps as they can be more effective and are simple to use.
- Nets and tarpaulins may be used to restrain lighter items.
- Loose sheets of building materials may be restrained by fitting them tightly in trays, and then securing them properly with restraints.
- Make sure heavy items are not loaded on top of lighter items.
- Most headboards and loading racks aren’t strong enough to fully restrain heavy loads.
- Use metal or heavy-duty plastic top corner protector angles to protect cartons.
- High and narrow items such as stacks of smaller cartons usually need more than one restraint.
- Fill spaces and gaps between piles with other items and make sure these are restrained as well
Hungry for more safety tips? Check out the news section of our website.