Graeme Agnew, Senior CoR Consultant and Trainer – Zenergy Professional Services, is internationally recognised as an expert in the field of heavy vehicle safety tells us that a couple years ago, he asked a driver how he knew what restraint his load required. He replied his load weighed forty tonnes and he applied one 10-millimetre chain, which were rated to ten tonnes on each corner, four in total, to achieve forty tonnes of restraint.

Graeme’s experience is that many drivers apply this same logic. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple as correct restraint relies on multiple factors – friction, lashing angle, etc – not just the lashing’s capacity. In this case, even if this was correct only the two rear chains would have prevented forward movement, as the front chains would have loosened in an emergency braking incident.

Finally, 10-millimetre transport chain is only rated to six tonnes not ten. When Graeme pointed out the hook was marked six-tonne the driver attempted to convince him this was its lifting capacity until we consulted the Load Restraint Guide. It was evident the load was well short of the legal requirement to restrain 80% of its weight in the forwards direction.

When asked whether he had any load restraint training, the driver told Graeme he had been driving a truck since he was a boy – both his grandfather and father were truck drivers. The reality is most drivers and loaders have not received formal load restraint training. They have been taught to restrain loads by older colleagues or have learnt through trial and error. The load arrived without moving so the restraint must be correct. The absence of prior incidents is not evidence that loads are legally secured.

The driver added he now runs the family business and had sixty-three drivers carting heavy haulage along the east coast. When Graeme enquired about what training his drivers received, he replied that load restraint training was not a legal requirement and should an issue arise, he could prove they were competent because knew the blokes.

Drivers have told Graeme in many circumstances that all they had to do to get their licence was throw a strap over the load and tension the binder, there was no training in factors such as the impact of friction or angles. Unlike an electrician or plumber beyond an appropriate licence there is no mandatory load restraint qualification to drive a heavy vehicle.

So, is load training a legal requirement? 

Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law parties in the Chain of Responsibility have a primary duty to eliminate or minimise potential risks associated with transport activities, as far as reasonably practicable. Based on the risk of a load shifting or becoming dislodged it would be difficult to justify that ensuring those loading and transporting goods were competent in securing loads was not reasonable.

How can Zenergy assist to demonstrate I have met my legal requirements?



Zenergy has a team of industry experts that can analysis your training needs and provide either general load restraint training or develop and deliver tailored specific training to meet the needs of your business or industry.