Product Overview

Summary: This Load Securing and Restraint Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps for safely restraining loads on vehicles, trailers, and plant in line with Australian chain of responsibility requirements. It helps businesses prevent load shift, falls from vehicles, and road incidents while demonstrating due diligence under WHS and heavy vehicle transport laws.

Unsecured or poorly restrained loads are a leading cause of serious incidents on Australian roads and work sites, from falling objects and rollovers to injuries during loading and unloading. This Load Securing and Restraint Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step-by-step framework for planning, loading, restraining, checking, and unloading loads on light and heavy vehicles. It translates complex legal and technical requirements into clear instructions that drivers, loaders, and supervisors can actually follow in day-to-day operations.

Developed for Australian conditions, this SOP aligns with the Load Restraint Guide and chain of responsibility obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, as well as core WHS duties. It helps businesses control risks associated with load shift, working at height on vehicles, manual handling, and the use of restraint equipment such as straps, chains, and tensioners. By implementing this procedure, organisations can standardise their practices across depots and sites, improve training and inductions, reduce damage to goods and vehicles, and provide defensible evidence of a safe system of work if an incident or regulator inspection occurs.

Key Benefits

• Ensure loads are restrained in accordance with Australian Load Restraint Guide requirements and heavy vehicle laws.
• Reduce the risk of load shift, falling objects, rollovers, and associated injuries or fatalities.
• Demonstrate compliance with WHS and chain of responsibility duties through a documented safe system of work.
• Standardise loading and securing practices across drivers, depots, and contractors to improve consistency and quality.
• Minimise product damage, vehicle wear, and costly delays caused by load failures or roadside enforcement action.

Who is this for?

• Transport Managers
• Fleet Managers
• Truck Drivers
• Delivery Drivers and Courier Drivers
• Warehouse and Dispatch Supervisors
• Loaders and Forklift Operators
• Site Supervisors
• Logistics and Supply Chain Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Operations Managers in Civil and Construction
• Depot Managers
• Heavy Vehicle Owners and Operators

Hazards Addressed

• Load shift during transport leading to vehicle instability or rollover
• Objects falling from vehicles and striking workers or members of the public
• Crush injuries during loading, securing, or unloading activities
• Falls from height when accessing truck trays, trailers, or loads
• Musculoskeletal injuries from manual handling of loads and restraint equipment
• Failure or misuse of chains, straps, tensioners, and anchor points
• Pinch and entanglement injuries when tightening or releasing restraints
• Struck-by incidents involving forklifts and mobile plant during loading
• Traffic and vehicle movement hazards in loading zones and depots

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms (including load types and restraint methods)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, managers, supervisors, drivers, loaders)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Guidance
• 5.0 Competency, Training and Licensing Requirements
• 6.0 Pre-Operation Planning and Load Assessment
• 7.0 Vehicle and Equipment Requirements (anchor points, decks, side gates)
• 8.0 Selection and Inspection of Restraint Equipment (straps, chains, curtains, nets)
• 9.0 Step-by-Step Load Securing Procedure
• 10.0 Specific Guidance for Common Load Types (palletised goods, loose items, machinery, pipes, bulk materials)
• 11.0 Working at Height on Vehicles and Access Controls
• 12.0 Traffic Management in Loading and Unloading Areas
• 13.0 Verification, Checks and Documentation (pre-departure and en-route inspections)
• 14.0 Unloading Procedure and Post-Operation Requirements
• 15.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Control Measures
• 16.0 PPE Requirements for Loading and Securing Activities
• 17.0 Incident, Near Miss and Non-Conformance Reporting
• 18.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of Load Securing Practices

Legislation & References

• National Transport Commission – Load Restraint Guide (Latest Edition)
• Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) – Chain of Responsibility provisions
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and state/territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and state/territory variants)
• Safe Work Australia – General Guide for Working in the Transport and Logistics Industry
• AS/NZS 4380: Cargo restraint systems – Transport webbing and components
• AS/NZS 4344: Cargo restraint systems – Transport chains and components
• AS/NZS 4801 / ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems (as applicable)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces