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4. Ways to secure a load in an HGV or goods vehicle

Driver Vehicle Standards Agency

December 9
13:59 2024

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The equipment and methods in this section are listed in alphabetical order.

Attachment points

You can attach load securing equipment to:

  • the vehicle chassis
  • the side raves
  • dedicated anchorage points

Any attachment point must be strong enough to withstand the expected loads.

Side raves

A side rave is the steel edging of a vehicle load bed.

You can use side raves to attach securing equipment to the vehicle.

Check that the raves are compatible with the type of securing equipment youre using.

Visually check the raves regularly for signs of:

  • damage
  • distortion
  • corrosion

Arrange for the raves to be repaired as soon as possible if you notice any damage.

The raves may not be strong enough to use if theyre in poor condition.

Anchorage points

Check that:

  • the anchorage points are compatible with the type of securing equipment youre using
  • theres as little movement as possible in the anchorage point restraints will not work as well if the anchorage point can move
  • there are no signs of damage or distortion

You must not:

  • attach more than one lashing to an anchorage point
  • thread a lashing through an anchorage point and hook it back onto itself

Examples of acceptable anchorage points.

Sheeting hooks

You should only use sheeting hooks to tie a sheet over the load to:

  • cover loose loads
  • protect the load from the weather

You must not use sheeting hooks or rope hooks as an anchor for straps or chains, even if theyre attached to side raves. Theyre not designed for load securing.

An example of rope hooks.

Buckle straps and internal nets

You can use buckle straps (hanging black straps) and internal nets on roof rails to contain loads on standard curtainsiders.

Left: example of black buckle straps hanging from the side of the vehicle roof.
Right: example of black buckle straps hanging from a central track.

The individual load items or stacks being secured can weigh up to a maximum of 400kg. You must not use buckle straps and internal nets to secure items or stacks weighing over 400kg.

If the load does not fill the load bed, you should either:

  • secure the last row using a ratchet strap, with the load blocked to fill the gap
  • use buckle straps or an internal net to form a rear bulkhead

You can use buckle straps and internal nets as a secondary securing method in case the main securing method fails. Theyre generally not as strong as other securing methods and may not be suitable for all loads.

Bungee securing systems and kites

You can use bungee securing systems and kites to secure fragile or crushable loads that might be damaged by lashing straps.

Bungee securing systems

Bungee securing systems consist of ratchet straps, nets, or sheets that are:

  • held into the roof of the vehicle
  • brought down over the load
  • secured in the same way as a normal ratchet strap

The straps should be manufactured to BS EN 12195-2.

Although the system might be held into the roof when its not in use, its strength does not rely on the roof structure.

An example of normal lashing straps suspended by a bungee system.

Kites

You can suspend kites vertically to reduce the effect of gaps in a load. This will stop the load moving up and down the length of the vehicle.

When deciding whether to use kites you should make sure theyre strong enough for the forces likely to be exerted on them.

An example of a kite providing security at the rear of a load.

Chains

Chains may be more suitable than lashing straps for some loads, as chains are usually much stronger and less vulnerable to damage.

You should:

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