Table Of ContentLOAD
RESTRAINT
GUIDE
FOR LIGHT
VEHICLES
2017
Draft for
consultation
1
Draft
ABOUT THIS
GUIDE
The Load Restraint Guide for Light Vehicles is designed to help
you safely restrain loads on your light vehicle. What is a light vehicle?
This is a guide only. You can meet the load restraint A light vehicle is any
requirements in another way, however you must be able to car, ute, van, truck
prove that your method complies with the law. or trailer (including a
combination, e.g. a ute
Know your legal obligations and trailer) that has a
gross vehicle mass up to
• You must restrain any load you are carrying on a light 4.5 tonnes.
vehicle so that it:
- Stays on the vehicle during normal driving conditions
– this includes heavy braking, cornering, acceleration
and even minor collisions.
- Doesn’t negatively impact the stability of the vehicle, Who should use this
making it difficult or unsafe to drive. Guide?
- Doesn’t protrude from the vehicle in a way that could If you:
injure people, damage property or obstruct others’
• drive a light vehicle
paths.
• load or unload a light
• You must pick up any fallen load if it is safe to do so, or
vehicle
arrange for someone to retrieve it.
• supervise or manage
Understanding load shift drivers and loaders of
light vehicles
Just like an unrestrained person in a vehicle, loads can move This guide is designed to
forwards, backwards, sideways and upwards: help you restrain loads
• Forwards shift is caused by: safely, securely and
braking while driving forward, accelerating in reverse, within the law.
driving downhill This guide will help
• Backwards shift is caused by: you if you are taking
braking in reverse, accelerating forward, uphill slopes timber home from a
hardware store, a delivery
• Sideways shift is caused by: driver dropping off
cornering, cambered roads packages, a tradesperson
• Upward shift is caused by: carrying your tools
uneven road surface, airflow. and equipment, or
responsible for safe
carriage of any other
load in a light vehicle.
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LIGHT VEHICLE GUIDE
LIGHT VEHICLE GUIDE
TOP TIPS TO HELP YOU RESTRAIN
YOUR LOAD EFFECTIVELY
Restraining your load is not complex, but it
does require training and knowledge
• Read this load restraint guide for light vehicles and keep it
handy as a reference
• Get training – from more experienced colleagues or load
restraint training organisations
Loads can and do move if not properly
restrained
• A load can move forwards, backwards or sideways and
must be restrained in each of these directions. You must
also ensure any upwards movement is limited.
• Light and heavy loads move just as easily – don’t assume a
heavy load will be held by its weight: it won’t
• Braking forces are typically higher at low speeds – don’t
assume because you are travelling slowly that you don’t
have to restrain your load correctly
Each load is different; consider the
restraint method that will work best
• Choose a load restraint method that allows you to meet
your legal obligations
• Choose a vehicle that meets the requirements for
dimension and projection, and is well-maintained and
roadworthy
• Choose load restraint equipment that is fit-for-purpose,
has the rated capacity to restrain the load and is in good
working order
There are two main load restraint methods
• Tie-down restraint – using lashings to clamp the load to
the vehicle (relying on friction for most of the restraint
forces)
• Direct restraint:
- Containing – the load is contained within the vehicle
- Blocking – the load is blocked from moving by a rigid
structure, e.g. a rated headboard
- Attaching – the load is attached to the vehicle
• A combination of the two methods can be effective
Check your loads and lashings regularly
during your journey to make sure the load
remains secure
• Lashings can lose tension during the journey and loads
may shift, settle or compress
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LIGHT VEHICLE GUIDE
K EY ELE M ENT S OF
LI G H T V E H I CL E
LOAD RE S TRAINT
PART A: PLAN FOR YOUR LOAD
Step 1: Understand your load
Think about the load that you plan to transport
What are the load’s characteristics:
- weight
- dimensions – length, width and height
- friction levels/texture – is it slippery or rough?
- centre of gravity of the load, or individual components
of the load – is it top heavy?
- stability – is it prone to roll or tip?
- vulnerability – is it fragile or crushable?
Step 2: Choose a suitable vehicle for
Want to know more?
your load
See the Vehicle
Keep the vehicle within the maximum safe and legal dimensions section to
loaded weight and dimensions find out the maximum
safe and legal weight
Make sure any parts of the load that stick out of the and dimensions for
vehicle are within the maximum allowable length light vehicles, as well
as the maximum
If any part of the load projects beyond the maximum allowable length of any
allowable length you will need a different vehicle. projections.
- Not being within the safe and legal maximum limits is
one of the most common reasons people are fined for
load breaches
Attach appropriate warning signals to the end of any
objects that project out from the back of the vehicle:
- During the day: a flag/material which is brightly
coloured and at least 300mm long.
- At night: a red light that can be seen from 200m away
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PLAN FOR YOUR LOAD LIGHT VEHICLE GUIDE
LIGHT VEHICLE GUIDE
Step 3: Choose a restraint system that is
suitable for your load
b Loa d s c a n b e r e s t r a i n e d b y t w o b a s i c m e t h o d s :
- t i e - d o w n r e s t r a i n t
- d i r e c t r e s t r a i n t ( c o n t a i n i n g , b l o c k i n g a n d a t t a c h i n g )
Figure 1.
Want to know more?
For m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n
a b o u t restraining your
load us i n g t i e - d o w n o r
d i r e c t r e s t r a i n t , s e e t h e
s e c t i o n o n Load restraint
methods.
b A co m b i n a t i o n o f m e t h o d s c a n b e u s e d t o a c h i e v e a s a f e
a n d s e c u r e r e s t r a i n t .
Want to know more?
Step 4: Choose appropriate load restraint
Se e t h e Load restraint
equipment, and ensure it’s in good equipment and materials
s e c t i o n f o r information
working order
on selected equipment
su c h a s t i e - d o w n
Use r a t e d e q u i p m e n t t o e n s u r e y o u k n o w t h e w e i g h t i t l a s h i n g s a n d c a r g o n e t s .
c a n r e s t r a i n
- Onl y u s e r a t e d e q u i p m e n t t h a t m e e t s Australian
standards
Ins p e c t y o u r v e h i c l e a n d r e s t r a i n t e q u i p m e n t before each
trip:
- I s i t i n g o o d w o r k i n g o r d e r ?
- I s i t s t r o n g e n o u g h t o r e s t r a i n y o u r l o a d ?
Ch e c k a l l c o m p o n e n t s f o r c u t s , c r a c k s , b r e a k s , t e a r s ,
f r a y i n g , f u r r i n e s s , b u c k l e s , m i s s i n g p i e c e s , s t r e t c h e d
m a t e r i a l , s i g n s o f c o r r o s i o n , e t c .
Don’ t u s e e q u i p m e n t t h a t i s b r o k e n , d a m a g e d o r w o r n
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PLAN FOR YOUR LOAD LIGHT VEHICLE GUIDE
PART B: LOADING THE VEHICLE
Step 5: Make sure you understand and
use safe work practices when loading and
unloading a vehicle
� Discuss who has authority over the loading process
before you begin
- The person who is loading the vehicle has authority
over the activity and directs the driver and anyone else
involved to make sure the activity is safe.
� Create loading and unloading plans
� Make sure everyone understands what to do
- Train new staff
� Create loading and unloading exclusion zones - higher
risk areas not to be entered during loading or unloading
� Stop work if people enter the loading and unloading
exclusion zones unexpectedly or without authorisation.
� Use an appropriate communication style for the
environment when loading/unloading
- For example, use hand signals in busy/loud areas –
don’t assume you can be heard
� Always maintain line of sight between the loader and the
driver
Step 6: Load the vehicle
� Make sure you use enough restraint to keep you and
others safe
� Every item must be restrained so that it can’t fall off
or move in a way that makes the vehicle unsafe or What makes a load
difficult to drive. unstable?
A tall load can tip
� Always use suitably-rated load restraint equipment forward if its length
(along the side of the
� Stabilise all loads to prevent them moving vehicle) is less than 80%
of its height. It can tip
� Use one of the direct restraint methods – i.e. sideways if its width
blocking, containing or attaching – wherever (across the vehicle) is less
possible when restraining unstable loads than 50% of its height.
Loads that have a high
� Block the load by placing it against a headboard
centre of gravity – e.g.
they are narrower at the
� Strap several unstable items together to form a
bottom or are top-heavy
stable pack
– can also be unstable
and tip over or tip the
� Use chains for heavier loads where possible,
vehicle over.
because chains don’t stretch as much as webbing
straps and ropes
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LOADING THE VEHICLE LIGHT VEHICLE GUIDE
LIGHT VEHICLE GUIDE
� Position your load to maintain vehicle stability, steering
and braking
� Keep the centre of gravity low and close to the
vehicle’s centre-line
- If you are using a containment method the centre
of gravity of the load must sit well under the top of
the tray (e.g. if an item is top-heavy, the heaviest part
must be contained within the tray and not sit above it)
� Spread the load evenly across the width and length
of the vehicle, sharing the weight between the axles Want to know more?
� Load heavier items at the bottom and lighter items See the Vehicle
on top dimensions section to
find out the maximum
legal loaded weight and
� Face any dangerous parts of the load - for example
dimensions for light
points that stick out - away from the driver
vehicles, as well as the
maximum length of any
� Fill gaps between larger items with smaller items or
projections.
packing material
� Use packing material or rubber matting to increase
the friction on slippery loads – this makes them
easier to restrain – do not use conveyor belt rubber
� Stay within the safe and legal dimensions and projections
for your vehicle and load
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LOADING THE VEHICLE LIGHT VEHICLE GUIDE
PART C: DRIVE ACCORDING TO THE
LOAD AND DRIVING CONDITIONS
Step 7: Allow for the impact of the load on
how your vehicle drives
� Monitor your vehicle’s stability, steering and braking
capacity
� Your load affects how your vehicle drives
� Drive carefully, take corners slowly and smoothly
and avoid harsh acceleration or braking wherever
possible
� Braking can be compromised if the load isn’t
distributed evenly and there is more weight on some
wheels than others
� There is potential for a greater braking force when
driving at low speed
� Be aware of how air pressure, e.g. wind and air
moving over the vehicle in motion, may affect your
load while driving
� Don’t drive an unsafe vehicle. Choose a better vehicle for
the load instead
Step 8: Check the load and its restraint
regularly during your journey
� Check your load and lashings regularly during your
journey to make sure the load remains secure
� Depending on the load and the restraint method,
you may need to check it soon after starting your
journey as the impact of driving will cause the load
to ‘settle’
� Recheck your load and lashings after you drop off part of
the load
� Check if the load has moved before unloading the load
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DRIVING SAFELY LIGHT VEHICLE GUIDE
LIGHT VEHICLE GUIDE
USEFUL INFORMATION
KEY MAXIMUM LEGAL LOADED MASS AND
DIMENSIONS OF VEHICLES
Dimension Maximum Notes Diagram
Mass The maximum mass of the The gross vehicle mass includes 1
vehicle is set by the manufacturer the vehicle and everything in or
and is known as the gross on it including the driver, the
vehicle mass passengers and the goods, etc
Length 12.5 metres This includes the light vehicle 2
and any projections to the back
or front of the vehicle
Width 2.5 metres 3
Height 4.3 metres Drivers need to consider the 4
stability of the vehicle and any
restrictions enroute
These are the key maximum legal dimensions and allowable
loads. Other limits exist; refer to your road authority.
MAXIMUM LENGTH OF PROJECTIONS STICKING
OUT OF THE VEHICLE
Projection How length is Maximum Notes
Diagram
direction calculated
Sideways From the edge of the 150 millimetres (either This is the combined 5
vehicle to the end of side, or combined projection from both
the projection across both sides) the left and right side
of the vehicle.
South Australia 300
millimetres (both
sides)
Rear From the rear axle Either 60% of the Wheelbase is the 6
overhang to the end of the wheelbase or 3.7 distance between the
projection metres – whichever is vehicle’s two axles.
lesser
Applicable in all States
and Territories except
Western Australia.
Rear From the rear axle Either the front 7
overhang to the end of the load carrying area
– single projection (measured from axle
axle group to front of trailer),
trailer or 3.7 metres –
whichever is lesser
Rear From the end of the 1.2 metres Applicable in Western 8
vehicle Australia and the
Northern Territory
only.
Forward From the front of the 1.2 metres 9
vehicle
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MASS AND DIMENSIONS LIGHT VEHICLE GUIDE
Light commercial vehicle
1.2m
8
Figure 2.
2
9 6
1.2m
Single Axle trailer
Figure 3.
5
4.3m
4
7 2.5m 3
• Loads for which the projection is not easily seen from
behind the vehicles, or with a rear projection greater than
1.2m (all States except Western Australia and the Northern What is friction?
Territory) must attach warning signals to the end of the rear
Friction is the resistance
projection:
to movement cause by
- During the day: a flag/material which is brightly the roughness of two
coloured and at least 300mm long surfaces in contact with
each other.
- At night: a red light that can be seen from 200m away
How heavy or how large
an object is won’t affect
the friction.
LOAD RESTRAINT METHODS
Friction between
smooth surfaces can be
Tie-down restraint increased using timber
dunnage or anti-slip
• Tie-down – i.e. using lashings to tie down the load – is a rubber matting between
common method of load restraint the surfaces.
• The load is prevented from moving by the friction between It can be greatly reduced
the load and vehicle, created by the weight of the load and by oil or water between
pressure from the tie-down lashings metal surfaces, or dust,
sand or other particles
• Tie-down lashings include webbing straps, chains and
between surfaces.
ropes. These are tensioned to clamp the load down
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LIGHT VEHICLE GUIDE
LIGHT VEHICLE GUIDE
