Load safety campaign launched

Date: 19/1/2010

A new campaign to tackle unsafe loads has been launched by the Health and Safety Executive, in partnership with the Vehicle Operator Services Agency.

The executive states that unsafe loads lead to injury for more than 1,200 people each year, and also cost businesses millions as a result of damaged goods.

In an effort to tackle these problems, eight days of spot checks at locations across the north-west will take place.

The full campaign will run for a period of nine weeks and will offer guidance on ensuring loads are safe.

"Vehicles are at risk of overturning if a load moves and makes them unstable. Load shifts can also put those workers who are unloading the van or lorry at the other end at risk," said Peter Brown from the Health and Safety Executive.

He added that taking a few minutes to properly secure a load could mean the difference between life and death in certain situations.

TRL has looked into the issue of unsafe loads in modified vehicles. A video illustrating what happens to an unsafe or insecure load can be viewed in the Video Newsroom.