We understand that road safety is everyone’s responsibility, yet driving a fully laden truck offers more road safety challenges.
It’s worth noting that in Australia, compliance and regulations can vary from State to State. If you’re hiring a truck to drive inter-state, it’s important to know your obligations and responsibilities.
Because the driver is responsible for the safety of the truck and its load, Rentco have compiled a safety checklist for securing a load.
Before loading
- Make sure items are securely packed to prevent damage during transit. Items that are being transported by pallet should be shrink wrapped. For irregular loads, consider specialised crating.
- Ensure the vehicle has the capacity to accommodate the load and know the capacity of load points and axles.
- Check that the load platform is in good condition. Know the location of ‘tie off’ points to secure the load.
- Assess the safest way to secure the load and use slip mats if required.
- If there are multiple drop offs, do sequence loading to accommodate this.
- Confirm with your vehicle hire company whether you have access to the right type of loading and unloading equipment and adequate assistance.
During loading
Loading should be carried out in accordance with axle weight distribution tolerances and be compliant with maximum weight allowances.
Load placement should conform to standards where heavy items are placed on the bottom with lighter items on top. Properly secure the cargo as it is loaded. Here are some extra tips for loading:
- Load to accommodate the unloading sequence.
- Minimise space between individual units. Use padding or packing blankets if required.
- Check that restraints are in good condition and strong enough to hold the load in place during transit.
- Place load correctly to ensure correct loading distribution.
In transit
Check the load for movement at regular intervals during the journey. Use scheduled stops as an opportunity to inspect the load and the truck.
- Pull into a rest area or stop as soon as it is safe to do so after emergency braking or other driving incident.
- After partial unloading, double check that the remaining items are still secured effectively. You should also check that the load remains correctly distributed to avoid any possible stability issues.
Driving a loaded truck
- Always drive according to road conditions and reduce speed in bad weather or heavy traffic.
- Understand the braking and stopping distances for a fully or partially loaded truck.
- Drive smoothly and anticipate other drivers.
- Position the vehicle and reduce speed when approaching intersections or cornering.
Prepare for emergencies
If you are driving in regional or remote areas, ensure you have the necessary emergency supplies such as water, shelter, warmth, and food to sustain life if you are stranded.
At Rentco, we have built a reputation for reliability and service that seamlessly integrates between all of our service centres located in capital cities and major regional centres across Australia.
We have built a solid inventory of modern trucks, trailers, prime movers, specialised equipment and mine site compliant light commercial vehicles that provide an affordable alternative for your transport and logistics needs.
To speak to one of our friendly team about our transport equipment for hire, contact us here.
