Load lost from lorry on public road – inadequate securing of cargo

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 31 July 2024
  • Generated on 5 July 2025
  • IMCA SF 15/24
  • 2 minute read

During the transportation of equipment, a load became free of its single retention strap and fell off a lorry.

What happened?

During the transportation of equipment, a load became free of its single retention strap and fell off a lorry onto a public road. The load fell off while passing a roundabout at low speed. The loads which fell off were stacked on top of each other and included large hoses on a wooden pallet, each load weighing 100kg. The hose was wrapped in plastic for long-term preservation and had become wet and slippery following rain.

There were no people and no other vehicles in the vicinity at the time.

Photo of load lost from lorry on public road

Image: kentonline.co.uk (NOT the incident described here)

What went wrong?

Our member noted the following:

  • The securing of the cargo (large hoses) for transportation, was inappropriate and insufficient.
  • The available internal information and instructions were not in a format that could be clearly understood, nor was that information suitably communicated.
  • “Task seen as routine” – there was some complacency as this was perceived as a simple straightforward task.

Actions

  • An incident review session was held with the yard team, to better examine, understand and consider some of the human factors that can influence and introduce complacency in routine tasks / activities.
  • The internal information and instructions were improved, following industry good practice for frequently transported goods:
    • How to transport them.
    • What transportation/securing  materials to use (e.g. stillages for hoses instead of pallets).
    • How to secure them properly. (e.g. minimum number of straps).
    • Who is responsible for doing what, and who is responsible for checking and verification.

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