Load Security Flashcards

How should you load a curtain-sided vehicle to ensure safety?

Answer: Load against the headboard, use lashing straps and/or load bars, and never rely on the curtain alone for load restraint

Curtain sides provide weather protection but are NOT designed to restrain loads. The load must be secured using internal lashing points, straps, load bars, and blocking. The headboard and bulkhead provide the primary forward restraint.

What is the correct method for securing a palletised load?

Answer: Ensure pallets are in good condition, stretch-wrapped, stacked correctly, and secured with lashing straps over the top and/or blocked against headboard and walls

Palletised loads must be on sound pallets, properly shrink-wrapped, not stacked beyond safe heights, loaded tightly together, and secured with appropriate lashing straps. Heavy pallets go at the bottom, lighter on top, and the load must be blocked against the headboard.

What is the Lashing Capacity (LC) marking on a lashing strap?

Answer: The maximum force the strap can safely apply in a straight pull, marked on the strap's label

The Lashing Capacity (LC) is the maximum force the strap can exert when used as a tie-down. It is marked on the blue label of each strap. When calculating the number of straps needed, the LC value is used to determine if sufficient restraint force is provided.

When transporting steel coils on a flatbed truck, what special securing measures are required?

Answer: Use dedicated cradles or wedges to prevent rolling, combined with chain lashings rated for the load weight and direct securing methods

Steel coils are extremely heavy and can roll. They must be placed in cradles, V-blocks, or secured with wedges to prevent rolling, then lashed with chains or high-capacity straps using direct securing methods. The securing must account for the coil's weight and tendency to roll.

What checks should be made on load securing equipment before use?

Answer: Check straps for cuts, fraying, or damage; check ratchets operate correctly; check hooks are not bent or cracked; and ensure all equipment is within its service date

Before every use, all load securing equipment must be inspected: straps checked for cuts, abrasion, or UV damage; ratchets tested for proper operation; hooks checked for deformation; chains checked for link damage; and all equipment verified to be within certification dates.

What is the difference between 'direct securing' and 'friction securing' (tie-down)?

Answer: Direct securing attaches the load directly to the vehicle anchor points to prevent movement; friction securing presses the load down to increase friction with the floor

Direct securing (e.g., cross-lashing, loop lashing) connects the load directly to vehicle anchor points to physically prevent movement. Friction securing (tie-down) uses straps over the top of the load to increase the downward force and thus the friction between load and floor.