CPC Load Security — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under UK law, who is responsible for ensuring a load is properly secured on an HGV?
- Only the person who loaded the vehicle
- The driver is ultimately responsible for ensuring the load is secure before driving (Correct answer)
- Only the transport manager
- The customer who ordered the goods
Correct answer: The driver is ultimately responsible for ensuring the load is secure before driving
While the loader has a duty to load safely, the driver is ultimately responsible for ensuring the load is secure before and during the journey. The driver can be prosecuted if an insecure load causes an incident, even if someone else loaded the vehicle.
Question 2: What is the purpose of load restraint calculations?
- To calculate the price of the goods
- To determine the force required to prevent the load from moving during braking, acceleration, and cornering (Correct answer)
- To calculate fuel consumption
- To determine the number of delivery stops
Correct answer: To determine the force required to prevent the load from moving during braking, acceleration, and cornering
Load restraint calculations determine the forces that will act on a load during transport (particularly during emergency braking) and ensure sufficient restraint is in place. The standard requirement is that restraint must withstand forces equal to the total weight of the load forward.
Question 3: When using ratchet straps to secure a load, what should you check before use?
- Only the colour of the strap
- That the straps are not damaged, are within date, have readable load ratings, and the ratchet mechanism works correctly (Correct answer)
- That the straps match the vehicle colour
- Only that the straps are long enough
Correct answer: That the straps are not damaged, are within date, have readable load ratings, and the ratchet mechanism works correctly
Before use, ratchet straps should be checked for damage (cuts, fraying, UV degradation), that the manufacturer's label is readable with load ratings visible, that the ratchet mechanism operates freely, and that the hooks and fittings are not bent or damaged.
Question 4: What force must the load restraint system be capable of withstanding in the forward direction?
- 25% of the load weight
- 50% of the load weight
- The total weight of the load (100%) (Correct answer)
- 200% of the load weight
Correct answer: The total weight of the load (100%)
The load restraint system must be capable of withstanding a forward force equal to the total weight of the load. Sideways restraint should be 50% and rearward restraint 50%. This accounts for forces generated during emergency braking.
Question 5: Why is it important to distribute a load evenly across the trailer floor?
- For aesthetic reasons only
- To ensure axle weights are within legal limits and the vehicle handles safely (Correct answer)
- To make unloading faster
- Even distribution is not important if the load is secured
Correct answer: To ensure axle weights are within legal limits and the vehicle handles safely
Uneven load distribution can cause individual axle weights to exceed legal limits, affect vehicle stability and steering, increase the risk of rollover on corners, and cause uneven tyre and brake wear. The load plan should ensure weight is spread appropriately.
Question 6: What is the headboard (front bulkhead) on a flatbed trailer designed to do?
- Provide advertising space
- Prevent the load from sliding forward into the cab during emergency braking (Correct answer)
- Keep rain off the driver
- Hold the registration plate
Correct answer: Prevent the load from sliding forward into the cab during emergency braking
The headboard prevents the load from sliding forward into the cab area during heavy braking or a collision. It must be strong enough to withstand the forces generated by the load. Without an adequate headboard, additional forward restraint is essential.
CPC Load Security
Under UK law, who is responsible for ensuring a load is properly secured on an HGV?