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Load securement - a new standard for road transport users

The cable drum pictured lying in the middle of this busy highway was definitely an 'insecure load' as was the granite block shown above. The new standards deal with securement and restraining methods peculiar to the particular type of cargo or product being hauled. Hopefully all this will lead to loads being kept 'on-board' all the way.

The recent publication of the nine parts of SANS 10187 - Load securement on vehicles - is important news for all operators of road transport as, according to Jim Campbell, Chairman of the technical committee responsible for the standard series, law enforcement authorities are likely to use these standards to assist in determining what constitutes an "insecure load" in terms of Regulation 246 of the Road Traffic Act.

"Prior to the recent publication of SANS 10187, there was no formal SABS standard relating to the loading of vehicles used on public roads, though a code of practice entitled "Securement of Loads on Vehicles" was published by the Bureau as far back as 1983.

"However, as a code of practice cannot be referred to in legislation. It was proposed a number of years ago to produce a new standard, or standards, covering cargo securement on vehicles that could be referred to as applicable in the Road Traffic Regulations," says Campbell.

A new working group was convened by SABS in 2002 to draft new standards based on the previous code of practice, British standards and legislative requirements from the UK. The working group comprised members drawn from the road freight industry and representatives from organizations involved in the supply of equipment such as webbing straps, chains, wire ropes and related hardware. 
 

Under the new standard, law enforcement authorities are likely to use the new standards to assist in determining what constitutes an "insecure load" in terms of Regulation 246 of the Road Traffic Act. How will these loads fare?

The final publication of the SANS 10187 series is the culmination of the contributions and deliberations of this working group. 

To avoid too voluminous a document, and for ease of use, the standard is divided into nine parts with Part 1: General Requirements and Part 2: General Freight being of a generic nature applicable to all types of general cargo. Parts 3 to 9 are cargo/product specific, and deal with securement and restraining methods peculiar to the particular type of cargo, or product, covered in the particular section.

These parts are as follows: Part 3: Metal loads, Part 4: Timber and sugar cane, Part 5: Loose bulk loads, Part 6: Containers, Part 7: Abnormal loads, Part 8: Dangerous goods and Part 9: Glass sheeting.

"All transport operators - and possibly consignors - will be well advised to make themselves familiar with the contents of the standards - certainly those relating to their specific business interests - so as not to fall foul of the law enforcement authorities," warns Campbell.

To purchase the standard: Phone 'Standards Sales' at the SABS on (012) 428-6883; fax (012) 428-6928 or email sales@sabs.co.za.

For additional information on the standard: Contact Jim Campbell by cell phone 082 377 0058, or email jim.campbell@inttrucks.co.za