CPC Load Security 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'blocking and bracing' in load security?
- Using the parking brake to hold the load
- Using physical barriers and wedges to prevent the load from moving within the vehicle (Correct answer)
- Blocking the road during loading
- A type of ratchet strap
Correct answer: Using physical barriers and wedges to prevent the load from moving within the vehicle
Blocking and bracing uses physical items (timber, inflatable dunnage bags, chocks) to fill gaps between the load and the vehicle structure, preventing movement. It works alongside lashing to provide comprehensive load security.
Question 2: How should a load of steel coils be positioned on a flatbed trailer?
- Standing upright without any restraint
- With the axis of the coil in the direction of travel, using coil wells or chocks, and secured with appropriate chains or straps (Correct answer)
- Rolled to the back of the trailer
- Placed on their side at the front of the trailer
Correct answer: With the axis of the coil in the direction of travel, using coil wells or chocks, and secured with appropriate chains or straps
Steel coils should be positioned with their axis in the direction of travel (eye-to-the-sky or eye-to-the-front), placed in coil wells or on chocks to prevent rolling, and secured with rated chains or straps. Incorrect loading of coils has caused fatal incidents.
Question 3: What should a driver do if they notice the load has shifted during a journey?
- Continue to the destination and fix it there
- Stop safely as soon as possible, check and re-secure the load before continuing (Correct answer)
- Speed up to reach the destination faster
- Only stop if the load falls off
Correct answer: Stop safely as soon as possible, check and re-secure the load before continuing
If a load shifts during transit, the driver must stop as soon as it is safe to do so. They must check the load, re-secure it properly, and only continue once satisfied the load is safe. Continuing with an insecure load is both dangerous and illegal.
Question 4: What is the purpose of dunnage bags (air bags) in load security?
- To cushion fragile items from vibration
- To fill voids between items in the load to prevent movement (Correct answer)
- To provide additional suspension to the vehicle
- To keep the load warm
Correct answer: To fill voids between items in the load to prevent movement
Dunnage bags (inflatable air bags) are placed in voids between items in a load to prevent lateral and longitudinal movement. They expand to fill gaps and provide bracing. They are commonly used in containerised and palletised loads.
Question 5: When loading palletised goods, what should the driver check?
- Only the number of pallets
- That pallets are in good condition, loads are properly stacked and wrapped, and the total weight is within limits (Correct answer)
- Only the colour of the shrink wrap
- Whether the pallets are made of wood or plastic
Correct answer: That pallets are in good condition, loads are properly stacked and wrapped, and the total weight is within limits
The driver should check that pallets are undamaged and structurally sound, goods are properly stacked (not overhanging), shrink wrap is intact and adequate, the load plan distributes weight correctly, and the total weight including pallets is within legal limits.
Question 6: What is the consequence of an insecure load falling from a vehicle on a UK road?
- No consequences as long as nobody is injured
- The driver can face prosecution, an unlimited fine, penalty points, and potential imprisonment if it causes injury (Correct answer)
- A verbal warning from the police
- A fixed penalty of £30
Correct answer: The driver can face prosecution, an unlimited fine, penalty points, and potential imprisonment if it causes injury
If an insecure load falls from a vehicle, the driver can be prosecuted for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition. Penalties include an unlimited fine, penalty points on the licence, and if someone is injured or killed, imprisonment for dangerous driving or causing death.
CPC Load Security 2
What is 'blocking and bracing' in load security?