about 18 months ago I attended a course regarding Load Security that was held at the Health & Safety Laboratory in Buxton. This is part of the HSE and is used to generally carry out research in order to be able to advise Government etc.
Whilst there the trainer told us that she had recently been working with VOSA and was devising a training plan so that all VOSA officers could be trained in load security with a view to better roadside enforcement.
Whilst I have since heard some stories regarding VOSA stopping curtainsiders and checking loads etc - I havenāt heard a great deal and I thought this issue might have dropped by the wayside. Apparently not and I have just seen the below from the FTA
QUOTE
The Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA) is introducing training for enforcement examiners with a focused approach on securing of loads, enabling them to identify high-risk loads. This will be rolled out from April 2012. The aim is to promote clarity and consistency for operators in enforcement of load securing. The initiative has been in development for some time, following a campaign in early 2010 by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and VOSA when enforcement examiners inspected the loads of vehicles to ensure that they were being transported securely. Similar spot checks took place in early 2009. Both campaigns highlighted concern that significant numbers of vehicles were found to have loads which were not sufficiently restrained.
During the past two years an industry-led working group, which includes representation from FTA, has been involved in discussions with VOSA and the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) to review current load securing practice. This made recommendations for VOSA enforcement staff to be adequately trained in assessing load securing and drafted guidance for operators, consignors and drivers which will be representative of, and coincide with, the training and guidelines given to VOSA examiners. The guidance, funded and published by HSL and supported and endorsed by the industry working group representatives, will be launched at this yearās CV Show in April. VOSA has produced a draft matrix to assist examiners in assessing load securing methods. The matrix distinguishes between various types of load and has three categories of severity for assessing load securing. Any problems concerning the securing of the load will be assessed against the matrix and may result in prohibition action (P) for higher risk circumstances or an advisory notice (A) for minor problems.
HSE research has shown that unsafe loads on vehicles cost UK businesses millions of pounds in damaged goods each year. Vehicles carrying unrestrained loads are also a safety risk to their drivers and other staff involved in loading and unloading them. On the road they also pose a danger to other road users and the public at large. An unrestrained load can significantly increase the risk of vehicle rolling over or spilling its load onto the highway.
To protect drivers and other road users, the (Road Vehicles) Construction and Use Regulations 1986 indicate that loads must be secured, if necessary by physical restraint other than their own weight, so they donāt present a danger or nuisance. VOSA can enforce a range of regulatory powers, including prohibiting the continued use of the vehicle if they feel there is serious risk to other road users, workers or to the driver and has stated that operators who are currently complying with the Construction and Use Regulations should see no difference in VOSAās enforcement policy from April. Minor problems in the way vehicles have been loaded and secured will be dealt with through advice rather than enforcement action wherever possible.
The āmatrixā they refer to is currently here http://www.fta.co.uk/_galleries/downloads/loading_of_vehicles/vosa_enforcement_matrix120307.pdf - I donāt know how long this document will remain available.
Obviously most drivers take load security seriously but my experience shows some simply close the curtains and take their chances. Whilst none of the above is an actual change to the current law/regulations - it does show that VOSA are moving towards better enforcement of these rules. VOSA will clearly be changing their tactics in the near future and hopefully the above is of use to someone.
Pete
That was until i got the phone call a full load of 12 trailers had come out the back doors (landing on a car) whilst going up a hill only about 5 miles from my factory. Health & Safety bods soon paid me a visit and changes were made. We manufactured little wheel chocks and steel stands to support the stacks of trailers. We steel banded the stacks and we made sure the driver secured the stacks appropriatly. it never happened again.