Load lost from lorry on public road – inadequate securing of cargo
- Safety Flash
- Published on 31 July 2024
- Generated on 21 October 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.
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.
Related Safety Flashes
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IMCA SF 10/17
12 May 2017
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IMCA SF 09/18
24 April 2018
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IMCA SF 10/13
25 June 2013
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IMCA SF 02/05
1 February 2005
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