Pat Hasler:
Use a fly sheet over the load and secure it tight as possible, strap every two drums ( I would say ‘Rope’ but it seems you don’t do that in the UK anymore).raymundo:
But he is only carrying a single drum …
Not to mention the fact that most drivers (and I mean 99% of drivers not on flats) these days don’t and are never likely to have access to a fly sheet, but let’s not let facts get in the way of a good ol’ “In my day” post… 
In my day… 
couldnt resist…we knew how to secure 45 gallon drums… pallets on top, and a few triple dollies thrown in for good measure…nowdays its a wrap around strap, that gives the impression the strap is pulling two ways ( get it )…which brings me to a point.
In this day and age, when transport gets it in the neck…dcpc and all that crap, no training on securing awkward loads…its left to the driver…all the time…so why not have a standard Packaging procedure, where the goods to be transported…should all be stacked on pallets, top pallets if needed, and banded or strapped, and shrink wrapped where necessary…We have all seen the state of some pallets, where inexperienced loading staff/warehousemen, have not seen the error of their ways, little boxes on the bottom, big boxes on the top scenario, then stacked on a trailer, in pallet order…small…big…medium…small…etc but you get my point…its about time freight forwarders took some of the blame…its the same with fragile goods. they should all be notified that their goods are going to be strapped…so wrap/pack it accordingly…like white goods,tvs for eg…as if its not strapped…Vosa will still fine you…and just because you havnt been stopped, doesnt mean you wont…their job is to enforce the rules, ( said one as he gave me a £100 penalty )…and when i asked him about fragile goods…said Its not my problem …yet many goods are transported with inappropriate wrapping…like what we use for wrapping sandwiches, think the same stuff can hold 1/2 a ton.
There needs to be a clear and definitive line between when and where the buck stops with the packaging and or loading party, to it then becoming the responsibility of the driver collecting the said goods.
Companies in my opinion should be required by law to ensure that their goods are…
a) packaged in such a way that the goods are secure, stable, and handle-able (mechanically or otherwise) and fit for transport
b) clearly marked and identifiable (this includes everything from ‘this way up’, ‘fragile’, lifting/securing points/areas, delivery addresses, part 1 of __ and finally and very importantly weight) signage
c) The weight of each ‘package’ (package can be anything from a box a crate to a pallet or a drum or ISO) should be clearly and accurately marked so that the driver can better assess the overall weight and distribution/spread of said goods on his/her vehicle.
If all companies big or small that package goods (whatever they may be) were held responsible for insecure and insufficient packaging for handling and transportation then it would take a lot of the guesswork, bodging and risk taking that is expected of nearly every driver out there, of course if the dopeyarsed driver didn’t strap/secure/distribute those said packages to meet with the requirements to transport them safely then he/she would have left themselves wide open to be held accountable for any lost or damaged load and rightly so.
Of course it’s much easier and cost effective to have just one common party to blame (i.e. the driver) so I won’t expect any changes to be forthcoming…