Loading, unloading and load-securing procedures

Why loading is high-risk

Loading and unloading plant from trailers and beavertails is one of the most dangerous routine jobs in plant hire. Machines can slide on wet or muddy ramps, overturn if they turn on the ramps, or hit people standing nearby. Most incidents happen on customers' sites, where ground and space are unfamiliar.

Before loading

• Ground firm and level, with room to line up straight with the ramps.
• Trailer coupled, handbrake on, and supported if the manufacturer requires it.
• Ramps clean, dry, correctly set and pinned.
• Machine's travel speed set to low, and attachments lowered or removed.
• People cleared from the area; a banksman if the view is restricted.
• Check the machine plus attachments is within the trailer's and vehicle's limits; see transporting plant.

Loading

1. 01

   Line up

   Straight with the ramps, tracks centred.

2. 02

   Blade or bucket forward

   Following the manufacturer's loading guidance for the machine.

3. 03

   Travel slowly up

   Low speed, no turning on the ramps.

4. 04

   Position on the bed

   Centred, weight distributed as the trailer requires.

5. 05

   Lower everything

   Bucket and blade down, boom locked, engine off, key out.

Securing the load

• Use the machine's designated lashing points and the trailer's rated anchors.
• Chain at four points (more for larger machines), crossed where the guidance says so.
• Use chains and binders rated for the machine's weight, in good condition.
• Secure attachments separately; never loose on the bed.
• Check tension after the first few miles and at stops.
• Know your overall height for bridges.

Unloading on site

1. 01

   Check the site

   Ground, slope, overhead cables, people and traffic before parking.

2. 02

   Park safely

   Level ground, clear of traffic, hazard lights on.

3. 03

   Release chains carefully

   Binders can whip under tension.

4. 04

   Drive down slowly

   Straight, low speed, with a banksman if needed.

5. 05

   Hand over

   Familiarisation, photos and signed delivery note.

Training and records

• A written loading and unloading procedure for each vehicle and machine type.
• Training for every driver, with records.
• Regular checks of chains, binders, ramps and anchors.
• Near-miss reporting; see health and safety.