Page 20 - Safet Systems of Work

SSOW 19 - Ratchet Strap Checking

Procedure for use of Load Securing Systems

The load should always be assessed to determine the correct LSS to be used; the assessment
should take into consideration the weight and dimensions of the item that needs to be secured, the
attachment points on the item itself, and the attachment points available on the vehicle that is
carrying the load. The DFT (Department for Transport) has a code of practice for the Safety of
Loads on vehicles and trailers. The basic principles require that a load restraint system must be
sufficient to withstand a force not less than:
• 100% of the weight of the load moving forward when the vehicle is braking
• 50% of the weight of the load moving backwards when the vehicle is accelerating
• 50% of the weight of the load moving sideward when the vehicle is cornering

All access equipment must be restrained at the anchoring points using the correct size ratchet
straps; it is also recommended that after a short time the driver should recheck the LSS and the
load, as the LSS may need to be re-tensioned. If at any time the LSS has to be removed and
refitted, then the rechecking of the LSS after a short time should be repeated.

New ratchet straps for securing powered access equipment are available on the Spanner ordering
system; they are in the transport consumables model book (C0A21 ref A49), these straps meet all
of the requirements required by the DFT code of practice.

HSEQ Department Author: Bob Tantrum Date 09/11/2021 Reviewed: 11/2022 Version: V3