Hectolitres of spilled beer, wooden beams scattered on the street, a faulty truck carrying too many bags of flour – these are just a few examples of load that was not properly prepared for transport and created a threat to road users. How to avoid such situations?
All you need to do is to follow the rules of loading the vehicle and load securing. The regulations specify that loading and unloading of goods is the responsibility of the sender or the loader. However, the driver should check if the process has been carried out correctly. It is in their interest because in the event of an inspection or accident they will be the first to face the consequences of improper load securing. The fine they receive may turn out to be the lowest penalty.
In 2018, the Road Transport Inspection patrol inspected a vehicle, which, according to the media, weighed 2.5 tonnes too much. The reason for the overload were bags of flour, which almost overturned the truck.
Even worse was the history of a vehicle, which had beer crates slip off the trailer. Broken bottles blocked the road for a few hours, causing major traffic obstructions. In both cases, employers and their drivers suffered financially. Legal proceedings were also initiated.
Vehicle loading rules.
The most important task of the loader is to place the load on the loading platform so that its weight is uniform on all axles. For this purpose, a loading plan shall be issued by the manufacturer for each type of vehicle. Loaders must also adapt their actions to the type of goods (it can be symmetrical or irregular, which makes the task much more difficult).
The vehicle can set off on the road….
…when it meets the following requirements.
8 conditions for proper loading:
- it does not exceed the permissible axle loads of the vehicle on the road,it does not exceed its maximum permissible weight,
- it does not affect its stability (longitudinal and transverse),
- the permissible dimensions of the laden vehicle are not exceeded,
- it shall not impede the driving of the vehicle,
- the visibility of the road is not restricted,
- are not hidden by the load: the vehicle lights, its signalling devices, number plates and other plates and signs with which the vehicle is equipped,
- the load is properly and effectively secured.
Principles of load securing
What does it mean that the load is properly secured? – If, under the action of inertia forces exerted by the driver, it does not move on the floor of the loading platform – says in regards to the TransEdu platform dr inż. Bogusław Madej from the Academy of Transport and Entrepreneurship in Warsaw.
Important: before departure, it is always advisable to check the stability of the load, which can tip over if the belts are not installed correctly.
