skids:
Not all straps are 5 tonne, the swl will be on a label on the strap and the ratchet.
Interestingly(or not) clicking on the images of the slings, you will see that the number of stiched lines tells you how much the sling will
bear. e.g. 5 stitch lines = 5 ton and so on.
http://www.theratchetshop.com/ratchet-straps-lifting-systems-webbing-slings-c-26_29.html
Is that the Talisman site? next time I go in there with a 10x8 I will ask him if my 2 straps are enough 
euroscot:
scotstrucker:
euroscot:
shuttlespanker:
can’t see the problem myself, each strap is minimum 5 tonne, giving 15 tonnenext time you see this eeejit, hit him with a big wet fish
Thats what i thought 5 ton each and i was playin it safe, when he gave me a bollockin he said after their first use they are then down rated to 2 ton.
the eejit wouldnt work for the blue brigade in peterhead would he?
I’m afraid he would haha. He used to train new starts but he works on the gantry now in the dales site where i pulled in when he had a word, he also knows me and proceeded to call me ‘driver’.
I’d have just throwed a rope over it personally and maybe a second dolly if I were abit feeling paranoid.
scottie0011:
Is that the Talisman site? next time I go in there with a 10x8 I will ask him if my 2 straps are enougheuroscot:
scotstrucker:
euroscot:
shuttlespanker:
can’t see the problem myself, each strap is minimum 5 tonne, giving 15 tonnenext time you see this eeejit, hit him with a big wet fish
Thats what i thought 5 ton each and i was playin it safe, when he gave me a bollockin he said after their first use they are then down rated to 2 ton.
the eejit wouldnt work for the blue brigade in peterhead would he?
I’m afraid he would haha. He used to train new starts but he works on the gantry now in the dales site where i pulled in when he had a word, he also knows me and proceeded to call me ‘driver’.
Yeah the talisman site, when u pull into the gantry he comes out but he works shifts with other guys, spikes his nickname.
spike is no longer there following a refusal to pee in the bottle during a random CTD.
edited to clarify facts
skids:
Not all straps are 5 tonne, the swl will be on a label on the strap and the ratchet.
I didn’t know about the threads but I do now 
shuttlespanker:
beefy4605:
euroscot:
shuttlespanker:
can’t see the problem myself, each strap is minimum 5 tonne, giving 15 tonnenext time you see this eeejit, hit him with a big wet fish
Thats what i thought 5 ton each and i was playin it safe, when he gave me a bollockin he said after their first use they are then down rated to 2 ton.
euroscot, next time you see this eeejit, hit him twice with a big wet chain
what ^^^^^^^^^ said
Don’t be too harsh on him. He has obviously been down-rated since his first appearance on this earth. Care in the Community, not working since 1993.
ive always been told chains for steel and straps for pretty much everything else 
SmItHy1982:
ive always been told chains for steel and straps for pretty much everything else
It depends who told you, some steel companies don’t allow chains anymore!
DoubleDutch:
skids:
Not all straps are 5 tonne, the swl will be on a label on the strap and the ratchet.Interestingly(or not) clicking on the images of the slings, you will see that the number of stiched lines tells you how much the sling will
bear. e.g. 5 stitch lines = 5 ton and so on.http://www.theratchetshop.com/ratchet-straps-lifting-systems-webbing-slings-c-26_29.html
Apologies if this comes across as a bit of a spotters statement but the link you have given refers to SLINGS which are in fact for the use of LIFTING loads with a HIAB or crane and not for the securing of loads. The poster that mentioned that a STRAP has the SWL (Safe Working Load) listed on a label which is stapled/stitched onto the strap in indeed correct. If the label has gone or is undefined through fair wear and tear then it is actually deemed unservicable through the eyes of H&S.
Further to all that crap that I’ve just written is that a SWL of any securing means is the weakest point, i.e. the strap/chain may have a 5, 8, 10 tonne SWL but the shackle used may only be 3 tonne, so answers on a post card as to what the actual secure limit is? 
Hay1908:
Further to all that crap that I’ve just written is that a SWL of any securing means is the weakest point, i.e. the strap/chain may have a 5, 8, 10 tonne SWL but the shackle used may only be 3 tonne, so answers on a post card as to what the actual secure limit is?
So the thread is useless as a way of checking the SWL. Thanks. I had never heard of it, but it seemed plausible.
Your post does show up another problem though, how many people have strapped a load but then hooked the strap onto a rope hook 
Wheel Nut:
Hay1908:
Further to all that crap that I’ve just written is that a SWL of any securing means is the weakest point, i.e. the strap/chain may have a 5, 8, 10 tonne SWL but the shackle used may only be 3 tonne, so answers on a post card as to what the actual secure limit is?So the thread is useless as a way of checking the SWL. Thanks. I had never heard of it, but it seemed plausible.
Your post does show up another problem though, how many people have strapped a load but then hooked the strap onto a rope hook
I’ve never noticed or known about the stitches as a visual guide as to what the SWL of the strop/sling/strap is, I’ve always gone on what the label or certificate says. And yes, I take it by your smilie that you refer to a sucking egg scenario? But I can give you an absolute assurance that there are many drivers out there that will do exactly what you refer to with loads in excess of 10 or 12 ton and chain it up to 5 ton rated shackles and load rings.
Apologies if I have got the wrong end of your banter.
Hay1908:
Wheel Nut:
Hay1908:
Further to all that crap that I’ve just written is that a SWL of any securing means is the weakest point, i.e. the strap/chain may have a 5, 8, 10 tonne SWL but the shackle used may only be 3 tonne, so answers on a post card as to what the actual secure limit is?So the thread is useless as a way of checking the SWL. Thanks. I had never heard of it, but it seemed plausible.
Your post does show up another problem though, how many people have strapped a load but then hooked the strap onto a rope hook
I’ve never noticed or known about the stitches as a visual guide as to what the SWL of the strop/sling/strap is, I’ve always gone on what the label or certificate says. And yes, I take it by your
Apologies if I have got the wrong end of your banter.
Just to muddy the waters a little further…
Lifting slings/strops/chains all have to have a SWL attached as well as a unique identification number - without either, it is deemed not fit for use and must be destroyed - not just taken out of service, it HAS to be destroyed - as Hay1908 quite rightly said.
You’re lifting a load with a 500 tonne mobile crane. It has a twenty tonne block on the end of the winch rope. You are using a ten tonne sling and a one tonne shackle attached to the load. The load CANNOT exceed one tonne in weight because ALL equipment is then only suitable for the lowest rated SWL ie the one tonne shackle. If you use a five tonne shackle, the load can be five tonnes, no more. Hope this explains it properly and clearly?
Slings are also colour coded for weight - One tonne is purple, two tonne is green, three tonne is yellow, five tonne is red and ten tonne is orange. More than that, I havent a clue… They also usually have one black band running all around for each tonne of SWL. Again, one for purple, two for green etc…
Sorry to appear pedantic but we do a lot of lifting so it is one of the very few area’s that I know a little about…
As for strapping down, I really wouldn’t know where to start. Not only do you have rope hooks or strap to the chassis to consider, the lateral forces, even going around a roundabout, must be enormous! Back in my day, you had four miles of knotted rope and a choice of one, two or even three dollies…a cross on the front, same on the back and hope Bewick didn’t spot you…
And I bet it was loaded a lot more securely in the first place too.
Whilst on flats and taking fabricated steel in all shapes and forms you used to get the forkies throwing it on and saying ‘It’ll be alright drive,the straps will hold it on’…Yes it probably would until one come loose.
There was a recent post about a steelworks kettle falling off a lorry, apparently the professional driver knew how to fasten it on, but it still fell off! No children were involved luckily…
Neither were straps 
Rotherham area
Hay1908:
The poster that mentioned that a STRAP has the SWL (Safe Working Load) listed on a label which is stapled/stitched onto the strap in indeed correct. If the label has gone or is undefined through fair wear and tear then it is actually deemed unservicable through the eyes of H&S.
Correct Hay. I’m amazed it took 29 posts in this thread on a professional driver’s forum before someone mentioned that vital bit of information.
Bring on the DCPC, its obviously needed.
This is a post that could go on and on as there are so many things to be taken into account and it isn’t really a quick answer. Have a read through the DFT Code of Practice for Safety Of Loads On Vehicles - it can be heavy going. it’s a 123 pages for a start. www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicl … hicles.pdf
In my opinion the lines of stitching in a strap ‘can’ indicate the SWL of the strap. 5 lines equals 5 tonnes etc. There should be a lable clarifying the SWL but they have a habit of going missing. Obviously you NEED to know the working limit of the restraining device before you can calculate what you need to use - so yes labels or stamps and tags etc should be there but the stitching is a good indicator.
The load should be secured to withstand 100% of its weight in a forward direction and 50% in a sideways and rearwards direction. The load should also be secured in a vertical direction but usually if forward, sideways and rearward are taken care of then vertical will be as well.
It is recommended that lashing assemblies manufactured to BS 5759 are used. So the guide only says recommended. But all the way through the guide it uses words such as suitable and sufficient - it is up to the user to know what is suitable and sufficient.
The 9t load would have needed at least one ‘lashing’ every 1.5 m along it’s length. (as is the case for any load)
If you used three straps evenly spaced and these were at least 3t capacity each and attached to anchorage points of at least 1.5t capacity along each side (so 6 anchorage points) then I reckon you pretty much had it covered (but mind those 1.5t capacity anchorage points with that 3t ratchet set - would be best if the anchorage point was a higher capacity than the strap or you may overtighten the strap and damage the anchorage point). as this equates to a total capacity of 9t (5 anchorage points of 1.5t). if the load wasn’t against the headboard then you may actually need a bit more force to prevent forward movement but 9t of force on a 9t load should be sufficient.
Chances are you used three 5t strap sets (although often the ratchets are of a lesser rating than the webbing) and secured these directly to the chassis so the anchorage points were way in excess of the 1.5t required or even the 5t ratchet sets.
You could have used two 5t straps anchored to a 5t point on each side - this would give your minimum 10t restraint when sufficiently tensioned. But it is recommended to have at least 3 anchorage points on each side of a load. Front, centre and rear.
Obviously Rope hooks should not be used to anchor loads. Rope hooks are not subject to constructional standards, and so they vary in strength, size and material content and are rarely designed to withstand forces exceeding about 1-1.5 tonnes. Many fall far short of this strength being so weak that they can be distorted by applying a ratchet buckle to tighten a webbing strap.
If your vehicle had anchorage points built in - these must be rated and secured to the chassis. a 5t ring bolted through the wood aint no use. I would always anchor straps/chains to the chassis where possible.
of course you would have inspected your straps for signs of wear and tear and not used a frayed, cut or knotted strap. You would have checked the end hook and ratchet for signs of damage or corrosion.
The DFT guide does not say it should be chains here or straps there (or at least I haven’t spotted this bit). it only says the restraint should be strong enough to hold the load.
Obviously a chain with the right fittings and on the right anchorage points is far stronger than a strap. But no point having three 25t chains holding down a 9t load when straps are fine. Of course you would ensure the straps weren’t subject to chaffing or wear etc that would weaken them during the journey.
The three straps I have mentioned are of course a minimum. You should ensure that should a lashing/securing device come loose - the other lashings/securing devices aren’t affected and the overall restraining ‘effort’ is not reduced. So if you added a fourth strap - and one came a bit loose you would still meet the requirment of 100% of the weight forward, 50% sideways etc etc
The DFT guide is an excellent read for drivers and covers most types of loads. great to show the boss when he says 1 strap will do.
As quoted elsewhere in this thread there are some complicated calculations can be carried out to work out what load restraint is needed. i did all this on a course at the Health & Safety Laboratory in Buxton. very good course and delivered by the same people that advise the HSE. The angle of any straps or restraints can greatly increase the force you would need to apply to restrain the load - but this is too complext to go into here. its all in the guide
The short of it is - you secured the load and used a sensible amount of straps - that’s good.
The fact the load stayed on the trailer indicates you got it right.
Had the load fallen off - you had clearly got it wrong no matter what you used. the law in this instance is pretty absolute. if it is no longer on the wagon you didn’t restrain it sufficiently
As long as you never think “The weight will hold it”. In most cases, the heavier it is the easier it will move.
I stand by to be insulted, shot down and blatantly corrected.
All of the above is pretty much on the button, but to add just a tadge more to that is LOLER, (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) In otherwords the piece of HSE legislation that will kick you in the arse should you get it wrong, or in most cases kick the gaffers arse for not complying correctly, i.e. registers/certificates/service and inspections etc.
Lifting equipment includes any equipment used at work for lifting or lowering loads, including attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting it. The Regulations cover a wide range of equipment including, cranes, fork-lift trucks, lifts, hoists, mobile elevating work platforms, and vehicle inspection platform hoists. The definition also includes lifting accessories such as chains, slings, eyebolts etc.
Edited to add a link incase anyone is absolutle bored and facies a gander.
shep532:
This is a post that could go on and on as there are so many things to be taken into account and it isn’t really a quick answer. Have a read through the DFT Code of Practice for Safety Of Loads On Vehicles - it can be heavy going. it’s a 123 pages for a start. www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicl … hicles.pdfIn my opinion the lines of stitching in a strap ‘can’ indicate the SWL of the strap. 5 lines equals 5 tonnes etc. There should be a lable clarifying the SWL but they have a habit of going missing. Obviously you NEED to know the working limit of the restraining device before you can calculate what you need to use - so yes labels or stamps and tags etc should be there but the stitching is a good indicator.
The load should be secured to withstand 100% of its weight in a forward direction and 50% in a sideways and rearwards direction. The load should also be secured in a vertical direction but usually if forward, sideways and rearward are taken care of then vertical will be as well.
It is recommended that lashing assemblies manufactured to BS 5759 are used. So the guide only says recommended. But all the way through the guide it uses words such as suitable and sufficient - it is up to the user to know what is suitable and sufficient.
The 9t load would have needed at least one ‘lashing’ every 1.5 m along it’s length. (as is the case for any load)
If you used three straps evenly spaced and these were at least 3t capacity each and attached to anchorage points of at least 1.5t capacity along each side (so 6 anchorage points) then I reckon you pretty much had it covered (but mind those 1.5t capacity anchorage points with that 3t ratchet set - would be best if the anchorage point was a higher capacity than the strap or you may overtighten the strap and damage the anchorage point). as this equates to a total capacity of 9t (5 anchorage points of 1.5t). if the load wasn’t against the headboard then you may actually need a bit more force to prevent forward movement but 9t of force on a 9t load should be sufficient.
Chances are you used three 5t strap sets (although often the ratchets are of a lesser rating than the webbing) and secured these directly to the chassis so the anchorage points were way in excess of the 1.5t required or even the 5t ratchet sets.
You could have used two 5t straps anchored to a 5t point on each side - this would give your minimum 10t restraint when sufficiently tensioned. But it is recommended to have at least 3 anchorage points on each side of a load. Front, centre and rear.
Obviously Rope hooks should not be used to anchor loads. Rope hooks are not subject to constructional standards, and so they vary in strength, size and material content and are rarely designed to withstand forces exceeding about 1-1.5 tonnes. Many fall far short of this strength being so weak that they can be distorted by applying a ratchet buckle to tighten a webbing strap.
If your vehicle had anchorage points built in - these must be rated and secured to the chassis. a 5t ring bolted through the wood aint no use. I would always anchor straps/chains to the chassis where possible.
of course you would have inspected your straps for signs of wear and tear and not used a frayed, cut or knotted strap. You would have checked the end hook and ratchet for signs of damage or corrosion.
The DFT guide does not say it should be chains here or straps there (or at least I haven’t spotted this bit). it only says the restraint should be strong enough to hold the load.
Obviously a chain with the right fittings and on the right anchorage points is far stronger than a strap. But no point having three 25t chains holding down a 9t load when straps are fine. Of course you would ensure the straps weren’t subject to chaffing or wear etc that would weaken them during the journey.
The three straps I have mentioned are of course a minimum. You should ensure that should a lashing/securing device come loose - the other lashings/securing devices aren’t affected and the overall restraining ‘effort’ is not reduced. So if you added a fourth strap - and one came a bit loose you would still meet the requirment of 100% of the weight forward, 50% sideways etc etc
The DFT guide is an excellent read for drivers and covers most types of loads. great to show the boss when he says 1 strap will do.
As quoted elsewhere in this thread there are some complicated calculations can be carried out to work out what load restraint is needed. i did all this on a course at the Health & Safety Laboratory in Buxton. very good course and delivered by the same people that advise the HSE. The angle of any straps or restraints can greatly increase the force you would need to apply to restrain the load - but this is too complext to go into here. its all in the guide
The short of it is - you secured the load and used a sensible amount of straps - that’s good.
The fact the load stayed on the trailer indicates you got it right.
Had the load fallen off - you had clearly got it wrong no matter what you used. the law in this instance is pretty absolute. if it is no longer on the wagon you didn’t restrain it sufficiently
As long as you never think “The weight will hold it”. In most cases, the heavier it is the easier it will move.
I stand by to be insulted, shot down and blatantly corrected.
where could i buy the latest book about this instead of downloading it
SmItHy1982:
where could i buy the latest book about this instead of downloading it
Errr … tsoshop.co.uk/bookstore.asp? … rchResults £12.00 (and its in colour)