Department of Transport

Heavy Goods Vehicle Load Security Department of Transport

The securing of a load must be of primary concern for all road users, whether using a seatbelt to secure our loved ones in the family car, or transporting groceries in lorries to the local supermarket. Not only does effective load securing prevent goods from falling onto roads causing danger to other road users, it also saves money by ensuring that goods arrive at their destination undamaged. This guide sets out to complement existing Department for Transport (DfT) guidance and the European Commission (EC) code of practice, providing operators from different sectors of industry with useful information on how DVSA and other regulators expect loads to be secured when in transit. It also provides useful links to other industry specific guidance and a section explaining what your responsibilities are in relation to load securing aimed at operators, consignors and drivers. This guide was compiled with the assistance of industry experts and other key stakeholders and should be viewed as part of the suite of DVSA publications dedicated to giving useful information to operators, drivers and other parties involved in the carriage of goods by road. The operation of all commercial vehicles carries some element of risk and operator licensing is designed to reduce this as much as possible. Taking steps to address the risks associated with load securing is a critical component of your responsibilities, whether as a licence holder, transport manager or driver. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics show that workplace transport is one of the highest risk activities. This load securing guide sets out the DVSA's approach and how to deal with certain types of load, including industry specific guidance for a wide range of sectors.