TRADE TALK SCOTT CAM Man on a mission SECURING LOADS FOR SAFER ROADS G ’day and welcome back toanother edition of Building News.I hope you’re all well-rested afterthe Christmas break and readyof overhang to tens of thousands of dollarsfor causing severe damage.The how-to:There are a number of ways you can secure for another busy year. your load, mainly involving tying down, No matter how busy you may get this containing, blocking and attaching. year, I can’t stress enough the importance •The tie-down method, which is ideal for of doing things properly, rather than quickly.large, individual items, involves attaching This is especially true when it comes tolashings (webbing straps, chains, rated transporting your tools, equipment and ropes) to the vehicle and over the load to materials. We’ve all seen unsecured clamp the item down, using friction and loads gone wrong and it’s almost always pressure to secure it. This method only avoidable. works if the item is tall enough that theIN MOST STATES, Despite popular belief: straps sit at a more than 35 degree angleDRIVING A VEHICLE WITH •Heavy loads move just as easily as – ideally the lashings should be verticalAN UNSECURED LOAD IS light loads and tight. AN OFFENCE. THIS IS •Braking force is typically higher atFor loads that are more difficult to tie down, slow speeds. including fragile, slippery, small, and unstableBECAUSE, EVEN IF Not only does an unsecured load increaseloads, there are a few options: NOTHING FALLS OUT, YOU the likelihood of your equipment getting •Containing the load within the vehicleCOULD BE LITTERING damaged or lost in transit, it’s also a huge riskstructure, such as with rated cargo nets to the other drivers around you. And if thatand tray covers. isn’t enough incentive to tie down the tools, a •Blocking the load from moving with alocks. This method is suitable for slippery sizable fine and demerit points should be.rigid structure such as rated headboards,loads or items on wheels. In most states, driving a vehicle withside gates and tailgates. (These panelsA properly restrained load won’t become an unsecured load is an offence. This iscan be used, if present on all four sidesdislodged, even during extreme braking, so because, even if nothing falls out, you couldof the tray, to contain a load, or the loadit’s essential you know how to secure your be littering. And if something does fall out?can be attached to them.) items and that you do so properly every time Each state has different penalties in place •Attaching the load directly to the vehicleyou drive. ranging from a few hundred dollars for a bitwith webbing straps, chains and twistUntil next time, Scotty Cam. 2019HAS A LOT TO OFFER You can become a builder. You can learn to manage a small business. You can get qualified in workplace safety. YOURGOALS IN The list is endless! And we have SET the courses and workshops MOTION WITH HIA you need to reach your goal. For full program details contact us on 1300 650 620, email us at TAS_training@hia.com.au or visit hia.com.au BUILDING NEWS ISSUE 1/2019 P11 1901 :oN redivorP lanoitaN