Guide to Loading Performance Standards

The 2018 Load Restraint Guide (LRG) contains valuable information on how to restrain different types of loads on heavy vehicles. The LRG is available via the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website as a downloadable PDF, or A4 and A5 printed versions for a small cost. The A5 version is a handy size to keep in glove boxes, door pockets or overhead lockers. 

The objective of the guide is to guide operators in ways to restrain varying load types. Load restraint methods must ultimately comply with the performance standards outlined in the heavy vehicle national regulation.

The LRG is easy to read with detailed information and diagrams showing how to restrain a load. It’s not the a definitive guide, though if you use different restraint option, you may be asked to show it complies with the performance standards. 

The LRG contains information covering a broad cross-section of load types, restraint systems and lashing information to arm loaders and operators with the necessary information to safely and securely restrain a load.

The guide also identifies different types of specialised equipment required for unique loads, such as cages, stillages, dunnages, blocking devices and options to safely secure loads.

From a management perspective, I believe that for transport operations that operate in the area of general, specialised or oversize freight movements all drivers should carry a copy of the LRG in their trucks, or at least have the PDF format available to them at all times. Alternatively, as the guide is quite modular, small folders could be made up and placed in vehicles with just the pages specific to the company’s freight operations contained within them.

While all this information in the LRG goes a long way in ensuring loads are transported safely, it does little if a driver arrives at a destination to pick up a load in the wrong type of vehicle or without the necessary load restraint equipment on board. This is where managers and allocators must also have an in-depth understanding of the LRG and the performance standards which must be met for the load to be picked up.

I have, on numerous occasions during my career in transport, been sent to pick up a load without the necessary equipment to effectively restrain a load, this wastes valuable time and money. Sometimes I just had to “make do” while in more recent times (and to the industry’s credit) I have been refused loading by the loading facility until the necessary equipment is made available. This highlights the importance of everyone within the transport chain having a good understanding of the LRG, not just the driver.

Do you, your employees, staff and contractors all have access to and a good understanding of the LRG? 

In conclusion, to comply with the law in regard to load restraint, I include this paragraph from the overview section in the front of the LRG.

“If you’re involved in, packing, loading, moving or unloading a vehicle, you are responsible for complying with the load restraint law.”  

Loading Performance Standards

A load restraint system is legally required to be able to withstand forces specified in these Performance Standards.

(1) A load on a heavy vehicle must be restrained by a load restraint system that:

(a)  prevents the load from moving in relation to the heavy vehicle (other than movement allowed under subsection (2)) in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (3); and

(b)  at a minimum, is capable of withstanding the forces that would result in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (3).

(2) A load may move in relation to a heavy vehicle if:

1. (a)  the vehicle’s stability and weight distribution are not adversely affected by the movement; and
2. (b)  the load does not become dislodged from the vehicle.

Examples of load movement that may be permitted under (2)

1. load contained within the sides or enclosure of the heavy vehicle that is restrained from moving horizontally may be able to move vertically;
2. a load of very light objects, or a loose bulk load, that
   is contained within the sides or enclosure of the heavy vehicle may be able to move horizontally and vertically;
3. a bulk liquid load contained within the sides or enclosure of the heavy vehicle.

(3) For subsection (1), the circumstances are that the loaded vehicle is subjected to:

(a) any of the following, separately:
(i) 0.8 g deceleration in a forward direction;

(ii) 0.5 g deceleration in a rearward direction;

(iii)0.5 g acceleration in a lateral direction; and

(b) if friction or limited vertical displacement is relied on to comply with (a), 0.2 g acceleration in a vertical direction relative to the load.

There are 10 steps to follow when restraining your load

1. Understand your load.
2. Choose a suitable vehicle for your load type and size.
3. Use a restraint system that is suitable for your load.
4. Position your load to maintain vehicle stability, steering and braking.
5. Check your vehicle structures and restraint equipment are in good working condition and strong enough to restrain your load.
6. Make sure your load is stabilised.
7. Make sure you understand and use safe work practices when loading and unloading a vehicle.
8. Make sure you use enough restraint to keep you and others safe.
9. Allow for changes in vehicle stability, steering and braking when driving a loaded vehicle.
10. Check the load and its restraint regularly during your journey.