Top tips to take a load off

Proper vehicle loading impacts safety, legal compliance, and operational efficiency. A recent seminar emphasised the importance of various regulations and standards.

Accident Specialists, which specialises in the forensic investigation of all types of accidents (from motor vehicles to slips, falls, and everything in between), held a free to register and attend information session on 20 June about “Loads on Vehicles”.

“A special thank you to Iveco, which is sponsoring these monthly sessions, enabling us to provide them free to all,” said Craig Proctor-Parker, founder of Accident Specialist. The topics covered to date can be accessed at: https://www.accidentspecialist.co.za/articles/.

“The National Road Traffic Act (NRTA) is our go to for everything that deals with the roads and vehicles,” Proctor-Parker told seminar attendees, adding that the Act provides very little specific guidance and commentary. He noted that the NRTA would typically refer readers to the appropriate South African National Standards (SANS). These address aspects such as mass limits, load distribution, and securing methods, making it essential for transporters to familiarise themselves with these standards.

An interesting standard that was highlighted – and arguably one of the most crucial factors in load management – related to the forces that the load securement should be able to cope with during transit. The standards guidelines stipulate that loads must withstand 10m/s² (1g) forward,
5m/s² (0.5g) rearward and sideways, and 17m/s² (1.7g) vertically. This translates to loads remaining secure during harsh braking, cornering, and over bumps. 

Proctor-Parker emphasised that drivers and loaders often don’t know that there are specific standards for these forces, adding that education is key and that a controlled exercise should be performed, if necessary, to demonstrate proper load management to drivers and loaders. 

Overloading was another issue covered, as it remains a persistent challenge in the transport industry. While overall mass is a concern, axle overloading due to improper load distribution is equally problematic. Weighbridges play a vital role in ensuring compliance, but their accuracy and consistency across different locations were questioned by some transporters in the information session.

To address these challenges, Proctor-Parker recommended several strategies:

1. Utilise software modelling, such as that offered by Truck Science, to predict load distribution and identify potential issues before transit.
2. Regularly weigh vehicles to get greater insight into weight dynamics under various loading conditions.
3. Implement comprehensive driver training programmes that cover not just driving skills but also loading procedures and legal requirements.
4. Consider developing in-house training standards tailored to specific operational needs.

Accident Specialists also provided an extensive list of references regarding loads on vehicles, which Proctor-Parker presented at the end of the information session. This can be viewed on the recording at the 1:08:14 timestamp: https://youtu.be/0CpYH6PEyMs.