Load securing

A load that moves can overturn the vehicle, push into the cab or fall off onto the road. That is why load securing (lastsäkring) is one of the most important tasks for a lorry driver. The basic rule is in the Traffic Ordinance (trafikförordningen), and the technical requirements are in Transportstyrelsen's (the Swedish Transport Agency's) regulations TSFS 2017:25.

The driver is responsible

It is the driver who is responsible for making sure the load is secured so that it cannot cause danger. This also applies when someone else has loaded the vehicle, for example the staff at a terminal. So always check the load securing before you drive off. If something goes badly wrong, you can be prosecuted, for example for careless driving (vårdslöshet i trafik).

The Traffic Ordinance says that a load may not be carried in such a way that it can cause danger, damage property, fall off, drag along the ground, cause disturbing dust or noise or make driving more difficult. The load must, where necessary, be fastened and covered (3 kap. 80 §).

The forces the securing must withstand

When you brake, the load wants to keep moving forwards. In a bend it wants to move sideways, and when you accelerate it wants to move backwards. TSFS 2017:25 (7 §) states the minimum forces the load securing must withstand, expressed as a proportion of the load's weight:

Direction	Force
Forwards	0.8 × the load's weight
Sideways	0.5 × the load's weight
Backwards	0.5 × the load's weight

The requirement is greatest forwards because hard braking produces the greatest forces. So a 10-tonne load must be able to be held in place with a force corresponding to 8 tonnes forwards.

If the load risks tipping, for example tall, narrow packages, the general advice is that it should be secured sideways for 0.6 times the load's weight (8 §).

The requirements of 0.8 and 0.5 apply to all vehicles and trailers. For heavy lorries, heavy buses and trailers over 3.5 tonnes towed by them, the load securing must also comply with the European standards referred to in the EU directive on roadside inspections (TSFS 2017:25 4 and 11 §§).

Different ways of securing a load

There are three basic principles, which are often combined.

Blocking (förstängning). The load is placed tightly against the headboard, sides or other cargo so that it cannot slide. The total free space may be no more than 15 centimetres (TSFS 2017:25 16 §). For heavy and compact loads it should be as small as possible. Empty spaces can be filled with, for example, air bags or pallets.

Lashing (surrning). The load is held in place with straps, chains or wire ropes. With top-over lashing (översurrning), the straps press the load against the platform so that friction increases. With direct lashing (direktsurrning), the straps run directly between the load and the vehicle's lashing points.

Friction (friktion). The friction between the load and the platform helps hold the load in place, but it is rarely enough on its own. How great the friction is depends on the materials and on how clean the surfaces are. If the surfaces are not free of oil, ice, snow and the like, or if you do not know which combination of materials it is, the friction coefficient μ = 0.2 must be used in the calculations (TSFS 2017:25 bilaga 1). Anti-slip mats can increase friction.

Practical advice

• Place the load's centre of gravity as low and as close to the vehicle's centre line as possible.
• Think about the axle loads. A load placed too far forwards or backwards can overload an axle, even if the total weight is correct.
• Check the straps after a while on the road. The load can settle and the straps can slacken.
• Use complete, undamaged straps. A damaged strap cannot withstand its marked force.
• Lock doors and hatches properly and check that the tarpaulin is secure.

Loose straps and chains

While driving, chains, ropes, tarpaulins or other devices used to hold the load in place may not hang loose outside the vehicle or drag on the ground (trafikförordningen 3 kap. 81 §). Check this after unloading before you drive on.

A load that sticks out

If the load sticks out in front of the vehicle, or more than one metre behind it, the outermost part of the load must be clearly marked (3 kap. 82 §). In darkness or poor visibility it must be marked:

• at the front with a white light and a white reflector,
• at the rear with a red light and a red reflector.

The reflectors must be placed low enough to be lit up by other vehicles' dipped headlights.

Also remember the width rules. If the load sticks out more than 20 centimetres to the side, the vehicle may, as a main rule, only be driven on a private road (4 kap. 15 §).

Dust and spillage

If you carry gravel, sand or anything else that can create dust or blow off, the load must be covered if necessary (3 kap. 80 §). This protects both other road users and the environment. A stone from an open platform can smash a windscreen behind you.

Remember

• The driver is always responsible for the load securing, even if someone else has loaded the vehicle.
• The securing must withstand 0.8 times the load's weight forwards and 0.5 backwards and sideways.
• A load that can tip should be secured for 0.6 times its weight sideways.
• When blocking, the free space may be no more than 15 cm.
• Use a friction coefficient of 0.2 if the surfaces are dirty or the material is unknown.
• Loose straps and chains must not hang outside the vehicle.
• A load that sticks out more than one metre at the rear must be marked, in darkness with a red light and a red reflector.