Resources

Where should I obtain advice on how to restrain my load?

If you’ve read the guidance material contained in the Load Restraint Guide 2018 and you’re still unsure how to meet your legislative loading requirements, you should consult with a suitably qualified person and knowledge of business systems to integrate load planning, load build and load placement as part of the solution.

For more frequently asked questions and further information see the NHVR website:

https://www.nhvr.gov.au/road-access/mass-dimension-and-loading/loading

Why do I need to restrain my load?

To be safe

Loads that aren’t restrained properly can injure or kill and can cause significant property damage. If the load falls off it endangers the lives of other road users through a direct collision or by causing other drivers to swerve to avoid it.

• If the load moves forwards it can pierce the cabin and injure or kill the driver or passenger.
• If the load makes the vehicle unstable it can cause an incident, especially when taking corners.

It’s good for business

Your corporate reputation and your financial position can suffer if you’re involved in a load restraint incident due to:

• adverse publicity
• loss of contracts due to damaged goods
• insurance excess payments
• increase in insurance premiums.

Unrestrained loads may move

Forces from changes in speed, direction or slope may cause a load to shift.

These forces result from normal driving conditions including braking, accelerating, cornering, road surfaces and air flow.

The weight of a load is not enough to hold it in place. A heavy load is just as likely to fall off as a light load because the heavier the load, the higher the forces it experiences.

To comply with the law

If you’re involved in packing, loading, moving or unloading a vehicle, you are responsible for complying with load restraint laws.   There are also various State road traffic laws that make people criminally liable for items that fall from a vehicle. In some jurisdictions this can extend to imprisonment when an object fall from the vehicle and a person is injured avoiding the object.  This applies to the driver, the loader and managers and directors.

It is also important to understand the exposure also extends to civil claims and litigation against companies and individuals

Find out more

For operational queries about load restraint for heavy vehicles in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, ACT, Tasmania and South Australia please contact the NHVR on 1300 MYNHVR (1300 696 487).

The NHVR have further information including a list of frequently asked questions about the Load Restraint Guide 2018 on their website.

For Western Australia please contact 138 HVO (138 486).

For the Northern Territory please contact 1300 654 628.

For further information, contact the WorkCover agency in your state.

If you require a copy of the 2004 second edition of the Load Restraint Guide it is available here.