About load securing.

Load securing (LaSi) encompasses all measures taken to secure cargo during transport. It serves to absorb the forces exerted during manoeuvres and when encountering uneven road surfaces, and to prevent the load from slipping, tipping, rolling or falling.

In this guide, you will learn about the legal requirements, who is responsible for load securing, which securing methods are used, and which load-securing equipment can be used to ensure that transport operations are carried out safely and in accordance with standards.

Table of contents.

What is load securing?

Why is load securing important for everyone?
Legislation and its implications for load securing

Persons responsible for load securing

Products for load securing

Load securing methods

Definitions of load securing terms

Warning: Loose load on the carriageway

Time and again, traffic reports on the radio warn of objects on the carriageway. These are not always loads weighing several tonnes that have come loose and are lying on the road, but often smaller objects that pose a danger to all road users. To reduce the risks to road users, the police & the BALM (Federal Office for Logistics & Mobility, formerly BAG) have been carrying out various checks for years to ensure loads are properly secured.

Section 1 of the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) states: Every road user must behave in such a way that no other person is harmed, endangered or hindered or inconvenienced more than is unavoidable in the circumstances.

In accordance with the full text of Section 22 of the StVO both the load and equipment for load securing and loading equipment must be stowed and secured in such a way that, even during emergency braking or sudden evasive manoeuvres, they do not slip, tip over, roll, fall off or cause unnecessary noise. Road safety must not be compromised in the process. Furthermore, the recognised rules of good engineering practice must be observed.

The respective securing and/or restraining forces of the load securing must therefore always be greater than the acceleration or deceleration forces arising from the following reasons:

Setting off
Braking (including emergency braking)
Cornering
Uneven road surfaces, bumps, potholes, etc.

Why is load securing important for everyone?

In principle, all persons involved in loading and transport are obliged to carry out load securing correctly. A company is obliged to present its business processes relating to load securing in a transparent manner and to clearly define responsibilities. The company must ensure that staff receive regular training and further education. If police or BALM inspections reveal inadequate load securing, fines will be imposed and, where applicable, points may also be recorded in the Central Traffic Register. If axle loads or total weights are exceeded, the authorities may also order the confiscation of profits. If an accident resulting in personal injury is caused by inadequate load securing, both fines and custodial sentences may be imposed. The public prosecutor’s office will determine which individuals in the chain of responsibility are held accountable as part of its investigation.

Gesetze und dessen Folgen für die Ladungssicherung

Als Folgen einer Pflichtverletzung können bei fehlender oder mangelhafter Ladungssicherung Schadensersatzansprüche geltend gemacht werden. Diese ergeben sich aus dem BGB oder den jeweiligen gesetzlichen Regelungen, § 41, 45a, 45d, 142, 425 und 427, dem StVG § 7 und § 18 sowie dem BGB § 823 und § 831. Hinzu kommen Bußgelder und je nach Art des Vergehens auch eine Eintragung im Verkehrszentralregister. Hier wirken die §§ 22, 23, 32 der StVO sowie die §§ 30, 31 der Straßenverkehrs-Zulassungs-Ordnung (StVZO). Bei schwerwiegenden Verstößen sowie bei Gefährdung von Personen können auch die §§ 222, 229, 315, 324 & 328 des StGB herangezogen werden.

Responsible persons for load-securing.

1. Company management

Responsibility for:

‘Legally watertight’ organisation
Regulated information flows
- Ensuring documentation
- Duty of care in implementation
- Checks (on a random basis)

2. Drivers

Responsibilities under Sections 22 and 23 of the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO):

Safe loading, including load securing in accordance with VDI 2700
Compliance with the permissible gross vehicle weight
Compliance with permissible axle loads and minimum axle loads
Compliance with the permissible dimensions of the vehicle, including the load
Checks whilst driving to ensure the load is securely fastened and, if necessary, taking corrective action

3. Freight forwarder, carrier, vehicle owner, dispatcher

Responsibility under Sections 30(1) and 31(2) of the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) for:

Vehicles in perfect working order
Ensuring that the cargo (dimensions and weight) can be safely loaded.
Appropriate, necessary and sound load-securing equipment
Ensuring that the load distribution requirements are met.

4. Shippers, consignors, loading personnel

The shipper is responsible for ensuring that the cargo is loaded in a manner safe for transport, even if this cannot be directly inferred from the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO).
In accordance with Section 412 of the German Commercial Code (HGB), the consignor is obliged to ensure proper packaging and labelling.
In principle, the loader, the consignor and the loading personnel are jointly responsible for securing the load.
The task of securing the load or the act of lashing may be delegated to the driver by means of individual agreements; however, responsibility from a criminal law perspective remains.

Products for load securing.

To ensure your load reaches its destination safely, Dolezych offers a wide-ranging product portfolio in the field of load securing. This includes, amongst other things:

Lashing straps,
Lashing chains,
Lashing ropes,
Lashing nets
other accessories.

In addition, there are many aids (friction-enhancing pads, RHM, colloquially also known as anti-slip mats, abrasion protection, preload force indicators, etc.) as well as various customised load securing systems that round off our product range for all your load securing tasks.

Mann erklärt anderem Mann Ladungssicherung

Our products for load-securing are manufactured in accordance with or based on the following rules:

VDI 2700 “Load securing on road vehicles”

Sheet 3.1: Instructions for use of lashing equipment
Sheet 3.2: Equipment and aids for securing loads
Sheet 3.3: Nets for load securing

DIN EN 12195 “Load securing devices on road vehicles - Safety”

Calculating the lashing forces
Lashing-straps
Lashing-chains
Lashing-wire-ropes

Our load-securing products.

1. Lashing-straps

Lashing straps are flexible lashing devices and have long been established as all-round lashing solutions for low-level and direct lashing. They can be custom-made using a variety of webbing, ratchet tensioners and end fittings. As standard, the webbing is made from PES, but HMPE is also being used increasingly, as this webbing has very low elongation and can withstand very high tensile forces.

Advantages

Versatile applications
Easy to use
Cost-effective
Lightweight
Gentle on surfaces

Possible applications, including

Low-level lashing
Diagonal & oblique lashing
Strapping

2. Lashing-wire-ropes

Lashing wire ropes are another option for securing your load. They are made of steel wire, yet are flexible and can therefore be easily wrapped around the load.

Advantages

Highly flexible
Robust and therefore long-lasting
Resistant to chemicals, oil and weathering

Possible applications, including

Diagonal & oblique lashing
Horizontal lashing, but only with edge protection elements
Usually used with winches, turnbuckles or chain hoists

3. Lashing-chains

Lashing chains are classified into strength classes 8, 10 and 12. In the case of a one-piece lashing chain, the chain is permanently attached to the ratchet tensioner. In the two-part lashing chain, the ratchet tensioner and the chain are separate from one another.

Advantages

Very high permissible lashing force (LC)
Can be used on rough surfaces
Can be shortened quickly using shortening elements
Long service life
Resistant to chemicals, oil and weathering

Possible applications, including

Primarily diagonal and oblique lashing
In some cases also for downward lashing

4. Textile Chain DoNova® PowerLash

The DoNova^® textile lashing chain consists of chain links made from several layers of webbing made from the high-performance fibre Dyneema^®.

Advantages

Up to 85 per cent lighter than steel chains
Very high permissible lashing force (LC)
Can be quickly shortened using shortening elements
Resistant to chemicals, oil and weathering
Seawater-resistant & rust-free
Noise-reducing
Gentle on the load

Possible applications, including

Diagonal & oblique lashing
Low-level lashing

5. Load-securing nets

Load-securing nets are practical aids for securing loads perfectly, as they adapt optimally to a wide variety of load shapes. This is important because many types of cargo, such as cardboard boxes or Octainers, are difficult or impossible to secure using lashing straps or chains. DoKEP^® is a registered trademark of the Dolezych Group for our range of load-securing nets. The webbing nets, available in a wide variety of configurations, have proven their worth time and again in practical use by freight forwarders and courier, express and parcel (CEP) services. Furthermore, the webbing nets are manufactured, assembled and even repaired in Dortmund.

Advantages

Wide range of applications
- Lashing nets
- Partition nets
Lightweight
Suitable for all vehicle types

Possible applications, including

Diagonal & oblique lashing
Partition net/wall

Load-securing methods.

Massenkräfte Richtung beim Niederzurren und Direktzurren

Common methods of load securing

Tie-down lashing
Direct lashing in the form of diagonal, oblique and restraint lashing
Positional locking using, for example, wedges or timber blocks, often in conjunction with nailing (please note, amongst other things, the provisions of VDI Guideline 2700)
Positive locking, e.g. by positioning the load against suitable front and side walls or stanchions of the lorry
Securing the load using clamping beams, partition walls, loading frames, coil troughs, etc.
Combination of methods

What forces act on the load whilst the vehicle is in motion?

F_lv: In the longitudinal direction/direction of travel (due to braking)
F_lh: In the longitudinal direction/opposite to the direction of travel (when pulling away)
F_q: In the transverse direction (when cornering)
F_G: Weight force (downwards)

Vibrations caused by potholes or uneven road surfaces can cause the load to ‘shift’. For a brief moment, the vibrations can even counteract the weight.

Kräfte bei der Ladungssicherung Schaubild

Permissible gross mass (PGM)		PGM ≤ 2,0 t	2,0 t < PGM ≤ 3,5 t	PGM > 3,5 t
F_lv	Mass forces in the direction of travel	0,9 x F_G	0,8 x F_G	0,8 x F_G
F_lh	Counteracting mass forces in the direction of travel	0,5 x F_G	0,5 x F_G	0,5 x F_G
F_q	Mass forces transversely	0,7 x F_G	0,6 x F_G	0,5 x F_G

Source: VDI 2700 Sheet 16 (July 2009)/Due to vehicle-specific, load-dependent and driving dynamics-related factors, the inertial forces shown in the table may be higher.

Pre-tensioning force S_TF

Products intended for lashing down must be marked with an S_TF in accordance with DIN EN 12195.
The magnitude of the pre-tension force applied determines, amongst other things, the number of lashing straps required for lashing down.

Lashing angle α

Angle between the lashing equipment and the loading surface of a means of transport

Horizontal angle β

Angle between the lashing device and the longitudinal axis (x-axis) of a means of transport in the plane of the loading area = β_x
Angle between the lashing device and the transverse axis (y-axis) of a means of transport in the plane of the loading area = β_y

Coefficient of friction μ

Friction plays an important role in load securing. As a general rule, the higher the coefficient of friction, the less lashing equipment is required.
Frictional forces act between the load and the loading surface, as well as within the layers of the load.
Physically expressed by the coefficient of sliding friction μ.
Whether or not a load slips (e.g. when braking) depends, amongst other things, on the nature of the contact surfaces between the load and the loading area.
A coefficient of friction μ = 0.6 can be achieved using a tested anti-slip mat (DoMatt). In order to achieve a μ value of 0.6, it is essential to avoid loading surfaces and loads that are oily, greasy, icy or heavily soiled.

Loading area	Load	Defined coefficient of friction μ
Plywood, melamine- coated, smooth surface	Euro pallet (wood)	0.20
	Mesh pallet (steel)	0.25
	Plastic pallet (PP)	0.20
Plywood, melamine resin- coated, screen-printed	Euro pallet (wood)	0.25
	Mesh pallet (steel)	0.25
	Plastic pallet (PP)	0.25
Aluminium support in the loading area – perforated rail	Euro pallet (wood)	0.25
	Mesh box pallet (steel)	0.35
	Plastic pallet (PP)	0.25

Source: VDI 2700 Sheet 2 (July 2014)

Definitions of load-securing terms.

Lashing equipment	Lashing strap	Lashing chain	Lashing wire rope
Tensioning equipment	Webbing	Round steel chain Textile chain	Wire rope
Tensioning element	Clamp lock Ratchet Winch	Ratchet load tensioner Multi-purpose chain hoist	Rope winch Multi-purpose chain hoist
Fastening elements	Hooks Brackets End links Loops	Hooks Shackles End links Shortening elements	Hooks Shackles End links Loops

Term	Explanation in accordance with VDI 2700 & DIN EN 12195
Locking force (BC)	The maximum force to which a device designed to lock in one direction may be subjected.
Direct lashing method	A lashing method in which the inertial forces are absorbed directly by the lashing equipment.
Working factor (safety factor)	Ratio of breaking force to lashing force SF = BF/LC
Hand force (S_HF) [Standard Hand Force]	Force that can be exerted by hand under ergonomic conditions; stated as 500 N or 50 daN on the lashing equipment’s label in accordance with DIN EN 12195
Combined lashing equipment	Lashing equipment consisting of various components from the product groups (e.g. lashing strap and lashing chain, including a tensioning element)
Load securing equipment	Systems or devices for load securing
Minimum breaking force (MBK)	Minimum breaking force required for a load-securing device or system
Top-down lashing method	Indirect securing method in which the frictional force is increased by adding a vertical force component to the weight of the load. Put simply: increasing friction by pressing down on the load with tensioned lashing straps
Clamping means/clamping element	Mechanical device for generating and maintaining a pre-tensioning force in a lashing device
Connecting element/ connecting part	Device/element for connecting
Normal pre-tension force (S_TF) [Standard Tension Force]	The force indicated on the lashing/tensioning device that can be applied to the product using a manual force of 50 daN (S_HF).
Lashing wire rope	A load-securing device consisting of a wire rope, with or without connecting fittings, and a tensioning element.
Lashing force (LC) [Lashing Capacity]	Indicates the maximum load that a lashing device can safely bear.
Lashing strap	A load-securing device consisting of a tensioning element or a strap clamp and a strap, with or without connecting elements.
Lashing chain/tensioning chain	A load-securing device consisting of a tensioning element and a chain, with or without connecting links.
Lashing equipment	A general term for equipment (lashing straps, lashing chains, lashing wire ropes, lashing nets) used to secure a load on a vehicle.
Lashing point	A fixing point on a vehicle to which a lashing device can be attached directly.

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About load securing.

Table of contents.

Why is load securing important for everyone?

Gesetze und dessen Folgen für die Ladungssicherung

Responsible persons for load-securing.

1. Company management

2. Drivers

3. Freight forwarder, carrier, vehicle owner, dispatcher

4. Shippers, consignors, loading personnel

Products for load securing.

Our load-securing products.

Advantages

Possible applications, including

Advantages

Possible applications, including

Advantages

Possible applications, including

Advantages

Possible applications, including

Advantages

Possible applications, including

Load-securing methods.

Common methods of load securing

What forces act on the load whilst the vehicle is in motion?

Pre-tensioning force STF

Lashing angle α

Horizontal angle β

Coefficient of friction μ

Definitions of load-securing terms.

We’ll answer your questions!

Pre-tensioning force S_TF