The load security is one of the most important parts in transportation. It doesn’t matter what kind of load we’re talking about. An improperly secured load can cause serious damage to lives, properties, and in the environment. These damages can be catastrophic if happens with dangerous goods. So better to pay attention or pay the price.
Let’s see what ADR says about load security. ADR part 7 specifies the carriage, loading, unloading and handling of dangerous goods. We can read more about loading, unloading and handling in chapter 7.5. How to check transport units, mixed loading prohibitions, and precautions with foodstuff, and animal feed etc. Take a look on ADR 7.5.7.1. Handling and stowage. Here we can see the load security. Concise but clear.
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“Where appropriate the vehicle or container shall be fitted with devices to facilitate securing and handling of the dangerous goods. Packages containing dangerous substances and unpackaged dangerous articles shall be secured by suitable means capable of restraining the goods (such as fastening straps, sliding slat boards, adjustable brackets) in the vehicle or container in a manner that will prevent any movement during carriage which would change the orientation of the packages or cause them to be damaged. When dangerous goods are carried with other goods (e.g. heavy machinery or crates), all goods shall be securely fixed or packed in the vehicles or containers so as to prevent the release of dangerous goods. Movement of packages may also be prevented by filling any voids by the use of dunnage or by blocking and bracing. Where restraints such as banding or straps are used, these shall not be over-tightened to cause damage or deformation of the package. The requirements of this paragraph are deemed to be complied with if the cargo is secured in accordance with standard EN 12195-1:2010. “
So we have a standard here. I suppose you don’t want to read the whole document about this standard, do you? No. There is a guide issued by HSA and IRU (International Road Transport Union). But before I present this guide let me highlight one more important thing. This is a typical mistake made by hauliers. What’s that?
ADR 7.5.7.2 Packages shall not be stacked unless designed for that purpose. Where different design types of packages that have been designed for stacking are to be loaded together, consideration shall be given to their compatibility for stacking with each other. Where necessary, stacked packages shall be prevented from damaging the package below by the use of load-bearing devices.
Very important to understand, most of the cases the stacking is not allowed according to ADR. So when you see the forklift driver double stacking palettes loaded with dangerous goods, ask him to not to do that. You will pay the price. I remember a case. A logistics company loaded trailers with groupage. They didn’t care how, but the only aim was to fill the trailers as much as possible. Finally, the transport company paid the price in Austria. € 3450 was the fine and € 450 more to reload the trailer. That was a lossy trip.
Back to the guide. You can click on the picture and read or download the PDF about “Safe Load Securing for Road Transport”.
You can see very useful pictures and very important information in this document. Take the time to read it and save money on unnecessarily paid fines.
Here is a handy list from the guide:
1. Correct description of the goods including at least
a. the mass of each load unit
b. the mass of the load
c. position of the center of gravity if not in the middle
d. enveloping dimensions of each load unit
e. limitations for stacking and orientation to be applied during transport
f. all additional information that is required for proper securing
2. Goods
a. are safe and suitable for transport, are loaded
b. are suitably packed
c. within load units are adequately secured to prevent damage to the packaging and to prevent movement in the packaging during transport
d. are ventilated so that any noxious or harmful gases are permitted to vent off
3. Dangerous goods
a. are correctly classified, packed and labelled
b. transport document is completed and signed
4. The load is correctly distributed in the vehicle, taking into account the load distribution on the vehicle axes and the acceptable gaps in the securing plan
5. The vehicle;
a. is not overloaded during loading operations
b. is properly sealed, if required
c. is suitable for the load to be transported
d. meets the requirements of the load securing plan
e. is in sound and clean condition
f. is properly closed
6. Anti slip mats, dunnage materials, blocking bars and all other securing equipment that should be fixed during loading, are properly applied in accordance with the securing plan
7. All lashing equipment1 is properly applied in accordance with the load securing plan
8. All equipment necessary for load securing is available when starting to load visual inspection of the outside of the vehicle and of the load if accessible to check for evident unsafe situations
9. Fitting marks and placards to the vehicle as required by dangerous goods regulations
10. All information related to the load securing capacities of the vehicle is communicated to the loader
11. No unwanted interaction between goods of different types or risk class can occur
12. Lashing equipment, lashing protection material and anti slip mats are provided in sound condition
13. All current valid certificates for load restraint points on the vehicle used for the securing of the load, are available
14. Measures are put in place to prevent the movement of pests
Thanks for reading!
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