Summary
How to make sure goods and other items are loaded, secured and unloaded safely from HGVs, trailers, vans and cars.
Contents
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Who the code of practice is for, what it sets out to do, and how it's worded.
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Why load security is important, what operators, drivers and consignors must do when loading and transporting goods, and how load security is enforced.
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How to decide on a load securing system, what to check before loading a vehicle, and how to stabilise a load.
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How to safely decide whether you can continue your journey or take other action.
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Equipment and methods you can use to secure a load in a goods vehicle and how to use it safely.
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How to secure loads on different types of vehicle.
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Ways to load items on a goods vehicle safely.
Update history
2026-09-24 12:16
How to carry different types of load in HGVs and goods vehicles – Updated ‘Local deliveries, including brewery and coal’ to include a link to Logistics UK’s brewing and drinks industry best practice guide.
2024-12-09 13:59
How to carry different types of load in HGVs and goods vehicles – Updated the section ‘Abnormal loads’. Updates include:the harm abnormal loads can cause if they become detached from the vehicleusing lashings and chainsusing friction matting or a high-friction floortransporting wheeled or chocked equipmentwhat operators and consignors are responsible forUpdated the section ‘Bales and boxes’. Added that the looser a bale is, the more likely it is to blow off the vehicle.Updated the section ‘Bulk bags’. Added another method of securing bulk bags.Updated the section ‘Construction products’. Updated how to secure construction products on pallets.Updated the section ‘Dangerous goods’. Updates include:how to transport dangerous goods if they are not in a closed body vehicleinformation about Dangerous Goods Safety Advisers (DGSAs)updating the information on securing hazardous materials carried on the same vehicleremoving content about segregating dangerous goodsupdating ‘Gas cylinders’ to say you must not carry cylinders in the passenger footwellupdating ‘Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) used to carry goods’ to include securing empty IBCs with one strap and information about the marks required under ADRadding information about transporting asbestos wasteadding information about Radiation Protection Advisers (RPAs)Added a new section – ‘Fragile, crushable, or non-uniform loads’.Updated the section ‘Glass’ to include how you should attach glass to a frail.Updated ‘Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) containing non-hazardous goods’ to include information about securing empty IBCs with one strap.Updated ‘Metal loads’. Updated the information about covering loads.Updated the section ‘Pallets’. Updated ‘Stacking palletised loads’ with information on the strength of the lower layer and what to consider when choosing a load securing method. Updated ‘Equipment for loading pallets’ to say you must secure manual handling equipment to the load bed.Updated the section ‘Paper’. Updated ‘Baled paper’ and ‘Cardboard’ to clarify phrasing about items weighing up to and over 400kg. Updated ‘Paper reels’ to add information about positive fit.Updated the section ‘Vehicles’ to include how to secure motorcycles and scooters.
2023-07-20 16:08
How to carry different types of load in HGVs and goods vehicles – New section added. This guide has replaced ‘Safety of loads on vehicles: code of practice’ and ‘Load securing: vehicle operator guidance’.
Summary
How to make sure goods and other items are loaded, secured and unloaded safely from HGVs, trailers, vans and cars.
Contents
-
Who the code of practice is for, what it sets out to do, and how it's worded.
-
Why load security is important, what operators, drivers and consignors must do when loading and transporting goods, and how load security is enforced.
-
How to decide on a load securing system, what to check before loading a vehicle, and how to stabilise a load.
-
How to safely decide whether you can continue your journey or take other action.
-
Equipment and methods you can use to secure a load in a goods vehicle and how to use it safely.
-
How to secure loads on different types of vehicle.
-
Ways to load items on a goods vehicle safely.
Update history
2026-09-24 12:16
How to carry different types of load in HGVs and goods vehicles – Updated ‘Local deliveries, including brewery and coal’ to include a link to Logistics UK’s brewing and drinks industry best practice guide.
2024-12-09 13:59
How to carry different types of load in HGVs and goods vehicles – Updated the section ‘Abnormal loads’. Updates include:the harm abnormal loads can cause if they become detached from the vehicleusing lashings and chainsusing friction matting or a high-friction floortransporting wheeled or chocked equipmentwhat operators and consignors are responsible forUpdated the section ‘Bales and boxes’. Added that the looser a bale is, the more likely it is to blow off the vehicle.Updated the section ‘Bulk bags’. Added another method of securing bulk bags.Updated the section ‘Construction products’. Updated how to secure construction products on pallets.Updated the section ‘Dangerous goods’. Updates include:how to transport dangerous goods if they are not in a closed body vehicleinformation about Dangerous Goods Safety Advisers (DGSAs)updating the information on securing hazardous materials carried on the same vehicleremoving content about segregating dangerous goodsupdating ‘Gas cylinders’ to say you must not carry cylinders in the passenger footwellupdating ‘Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) used to carry goods’ to include securing empty IBCs with one strap and information about the marks required under ADRadding information about transporting asbestos wasteadding information about Radiation Protection Advisers (RPAs)Added a new section – ‘Fragile, crushable, or non-uniform loads’.Updated the section ‘Glass’ to include how you should attach glass to a frail.Updated ‘Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) containing non-hazardous goods’ to include information about securing empty IBCs with one strap.Updated ‘Metal loads’. Updated the information about covering loads.Updated the section ‘Pallets’. Updated ‘Stacking palletised loads’ with information on the strength of the lower layer and what to consider when choosing a load securing method. Updated ‘Equipment for loading pallets’ to say you must secure manual handling equipment to the load bed.Updated the section ‘Paper’. Updated ‘Baled paper’ and ‘Cardboard’ to clarify phrasing about items weighing up to and over 400kg. Updated ‘Paper reels’ to add information about positive fit.Updated the section ‘Vehicles’ to include how to secure motorcycles and scooters.
2023-07-20 16:08
How to carry different types of load in HGVs and goods vehicles – New section added. This guide has replaced ‘Safety of loads on vehicles: code of practice’ and ‘Load securing: vehicle operator guidance’.