Allan says power of vehicles and their braking ability has improved significantly since the last edition was published
Having released a new draft version of its Load Restraint Guide today, the National Transport Commission (NTC) is inviting stakeholder feedback that will help improve the new edition.
The guide is designed to provide transport operators, drivers and other participants in the transport chain of responsibility (COR) with practical advice on how to safely transport a load.
NTC acting chief executive Geoff Allan says the agency is seeking feedback on the draft guide to make sure it is clear, user-friendly and based on the best available evidence about how to safely move the majority of loads carried by trucks in Australia.
“We have listened to our stakeholders who have told us the biggest issue is that the current guide would be easier to comply with if it was easier to understand,” Allan says.
“Items falling from trucks can cause collisions, deaths and injuries and contribute to congestion and environmental damage.
“The aim is to improve freight operators’ understanding of how to properly restrain loads.”
The last edition was published in 2004.
“Over the past twelve years, the power of vehicles and their braking ability has improved significantly and this places greater stress on the load restraints,” he says.
“However, our technical advice is that we need to increase the force required to restrain a load in the forward direction for some light vehicles from 0.8g to 1.0g.”
Based on the feedback, NTC will make final recommendations to transport ministers to consider in November.
Once approved, the guide will be handed over to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to implement and maintain.
The draft third edition of the guide is available at the NTC’s website and consultation is open until 5pm on August 4.