The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has welcomed the Department for Transport’s updated guidance on safe securing of loads for vehicle operators. It includes advice on Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs), which will be of particular interest to fertiliser hauliers.
Jo Gilbertson, AIC Head of Fertiliser Sector, said: “There have been no incidents affecting companies in the fertiliser sector or other AIC members. However, this guidance is clearly needed because of the level of reported incidents due to badly secured loads across the whole of the road transport industry. We would encourage our members to ensure that they are complying with this guidance and continuing to be vigilant in its application.”
During 2013 DVSA issued more than 2000 prohibitions to vehicles which presented a road safety risk because of how their load was secured. In the same period the Highways Agency report over 22,000 road impact incidents caused by objects falling from vehicles.
The guidance complements existing UK and EU codes of practice and provides helpful information on how the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and other regulators expect loads to be secured in transit.
