Even though 84% of businesses use stretch wrap/film on loads that will be transported on public roads, 74% of them have never had an audit – ask yourself, would you drive your car without an MOT?
Understanding of Load Retention
The White Paper focuses on issues surrounding load retention, the available solutions and expert advice from Kite’s load retention specialists. It is crucial to ensure that loads are adequately secured while being moved on public roads, in the business, or in storage, minimising the likelihood of objects or whole loads coming loose and falling.
International dimension to consider
The European Worthiness, published a Roadworthiness Directive, which will become a worldwide legal requirement in May 2018. One of the main points is “ensuring that packages and unit loads are suitable to withstand the stresses to be expected under normal transport conditions”. It has yet to be seen how this will be implemented but the FTA advises that it is likely to mean introducing Europe-wide vehicle load securing inspections at roadside checks. Will your load pass its check?
It is a business’s responsibility
A blind test was carried out on competitors of Kite with 100%, yes 100% of the hand film tested being outside industry tolerances, meaning that companies are not using the correct film and tolerances their loads require, which could result in falling, un-secure loads and load collapsing. Businesses are liable for the safety of their loads and negligence carries harsh penalties: businesses can lose their Vehicle Operator’s License, face prosecution by HSE and even face the prospect of corporate manslaughter.
Key facts
– Over 2,000 businesses lost their Operator’s License due to poor loads in 2013
– Over 20,000 UK road accidents were caused by loads shifting on public roads in 2013
– The DfT’s latest National Road Traffic Survey reports 298 fatal accidents in 2015 involving HGVs and 1,291 fatal or serious incidents in total.
Kite hopes the white paper will mitigate the risks in this area and anyone with an interest in minimising these risks in their business should read the document. Such incidents can, and have caused, serious harm and fatalities to workers and innocent road users and companies are liable for this.
Contact Kite on 02476 420065 or visit Kite’s white paper category on their blog at kitepackaging.co.uk to read your copy.
KITE PACKAGING
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