Lesson 5.1 – Checklist – Planning the load

The Load Restraint Guide provides a ten step check list for restraining a load.

The first step in this check list is Understanding your load. Which was the subject of Module 2
In order to understand your load you need to know its characteristics which may include:

• Weight Dimensions, and Centre of Gravity (Lesson 2.1)
• Whether it is crushable, fragile or likely to settle during transit (Lesson 2.3)
• If it has wheels or tracks. (Lesson 2.5) if it does have wheels or tracks you should also determine:
  • Are the wheels or tracks braked?
  • if there are manufacturers recommendations on restraining the vehicle or equipment?
  • whether there are any lashing points fitted?
• If it does not have wheels, determine the material the bottom of the load is made of so you can assess likely friction levels. (see also Lesson 3.6)
• Any packaging or unitisation of the load. (You will probably need to know the dimensions of these packages or units and you will need to know whether the packaging or unitisation is at risk of damage of failure (eg spearing) (Lesson 2.3)
• Any other characteristics of the load that may have an impact on restraining it. (Machine oil on milled or fabricated steel, sap in timber, load deformation -bulker bags etc)

As part of understanding your load the LRG recommends undertaking a risk assessment on the load and the development of a plan to mitigate any risks.