Load Restraint is a fairly simple concept. It’s expected by the general public for truck loads to be secured following the parameters that are standard for anyone transporting cargo for business. Transport managers and their subsequent companies are required to monitor drivers and their load Restraint Techniques, to ensure that proper standards are being followed, for quite a few reasons. The bottom line is: failure to safely secure items can result in damage, injury, or worse, a fatality.

How Important is Load Restraint, Really?

The answer is, very. As previously stated, not using proper truck tie downs and load binders can result in damage, injury, and death, of you or other drivers. Everyone has probably seen, at least once, a service truck, pick up, or a semi-truck with loose or poorly secured cargo. It’s extremely perilous for other motorists when cargo falls off trucks and ends up the road, as they have to swerve around it. In addition to cargo securement being the safe way to go, it is necessary because customers expect it. Clientele has chosen to do business with you because they feel that you are capable of safely handling their cargo. The public also expects a company to protect it against the risk of becoming injured in a crash caused by shifted cargo. In addition, the fleet company needs you to follow proper cargo securement protocol to protect them from liability in the event of an accident as a result of fallen or shifted cargo.

In addition to the monetary costs of improper load Restraint, there are other costs as well:

• The cost of a human life.

• The effect on customers if delivery is delayed by an accident.

• The cost of vehicle loss for the fleet organization.

• The impact on the company’s third-party insurance rates.

It is important for transport companies to proactively address these issues by facilitating the load Restraint process. Drivers should be properly trained on how to use winch straps, ratchet tie down straps, rachet straps, chains, and other truck tie downs to make their load is safe to transport. The Basics of Load Restraint.

A key component to maintaining a good corporate image to customers and the monitoring public is for vehicles to be properly maintained inside and out.

• Evenly distribute and properly secure your load, using the correct truck tie downs and methods.

• Check the load Restraints (chains, straps, and tarps) and cargo for potential to shift or come loose.

• Ensure drivers visibility is clear and unobstructed.

• Ensure drivers can freely and comfortably move their legs and arms in the cabin.

• Make the driver understands they have access to emergency equipment and instruct them of an easy vehicle exit.

• Further inspect the load and devices to secure the load prior to the driver starting the trip.

• Re-inspect the load within the first 50 miles and adjust cargo securement devices as needed.

• Re-check the load, this must occur whenever a change of driver occurs and when the vehicle has been on the road for more than three hours or 150kms (whichever occurs first).

The article above is just another way Tie Downs Direct is trying to make a safer transport industry right across Australia.