Blue LCV

5 tips to safely load an LCV

5 min to readSafety
Load safety means road safety' as the saying goes. Over the years, great strides have been made in safety technology in the light commercial vehicle (LCV) industry to minimise the number of traffic accidents. But amidst all the technological advancements, one key aspect has often been ignored: the risk of serious injury caused by the load.
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A seemingly innocuous item lying loose in the cab of a truck or van – such as a laptop computer or a mobile phone – can cause harm when a vehicle comes to a sudden, unexpected stop, and may actually become a lethal weapon in the event of an impact. Perversely, even a first-aid box could cause more harm than good in an accident if it is not properly secured. From a legal perspective, the driver is responsible for the secure carriage of any item within or on top of the vehicle, and also for ensuring that the vehicle does not exceed its maximum authorised mass (MAM) or permissible gross vehicle weight (GVW).

To ensure that you shoulder this responsibility as a driver and maintain the highest safety standards, below we outline some useful tips and best practices for the correct loading and unloading of your vehicle. These will help to keep you, your vehicle and your load as safe as possible at all times.

1. Manual handling

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2. Gross vehicle weight rating

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) indicates the maximum operating weight of any vehicle (car/LCV/truck) including the chassis, engine, driver, passengers, fuel and cargo. The figure is stated on the vehicle ID plate and in the manufacturer’s handbook. Ensure that the vehicle does not exceed this limit when loaded.

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4. Secure the load

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5. Roof & ladder racks

Published at August 21, 2020
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August 21, 2020
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