Load/unload assist.

[ConeHater]

Has there ever been a definition of what load/unload assist means ? If no-one steps onto the trailer, or even dock leveller, to take the Yorks then they’re not really helping to unload at all ! Especially if they wait by the dock leveller for you to walk up and down the trailer to bring the Yorks out.

[Sean06]

Has there ever been a definition of what load/unload assist means ? If no-one steps onto the trailer, or even dock leveller, to take the Yorks then they’re not really helping to unload at all ! Especially if they wait by the dock leveller for you to walk up and down the trailer to bring the Yorks out.

Never heard of load/unload assist its just usually 2 people emptying a container.maybe if its a double decker one person does top deck as you say then bottom deck switch around.

[SpacePhoenix]

The loading should only ever be done by the driver as they're the one legally responsible if anything goes wrong with the load whilst they're on the road.

[ConeHater]

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Example of 318 showing load or unload assist, usually 15 - 30 mins but can vary. As the word ‘assist’ is there a driver would naturally assume that there will be someone else helping ! This is common on all driving duties, this particular one has 5 during the shift.

Regarding the other point of the driver being responsible for the load ( absolutely ) and should be there to load themselves, many duties start with a preloaded trailer that has been loaded by indoor staff. That’s a can of worms that no-one will deal with either.

[sweepster70]

The loading should only ever be done by the driver as they're the one legally responsible if anything goes wrong with the load whilst they're on the road.

Not true! There are many times that my trailer has been pre-loaded for me when I arrive at the bay. All I can do is check the back straps and would expect the trailer has been loaded in accordance with the safe systems of work. If not take pictures and report it. Also we have a trailer check book now, just write that it was pre-loaded.
I will not load/unload a trailer on my own. If there is no loaders/unloaders around I speak to a manager. It is not my job to load/unload on my own.
Some loaders/unloaders come into the trailer, some wait on the dock leveller. I'm happy with either as it is still assisting.
You will always get some drivers who load/unload on their own and will move two yorks at a time. Why would anyone do more work than they have to?

[ConeHater]

Now it’s been established that load / unload assist exists, has there ever been a definition of what it actually means ? Folk waiting on the floor watching a driver unload up to 110 Yorks without stepping on the trailer themselves I feel is not assisting at all.

[MailSorter10]

In my MC, drivers load yorks themselves. When unloading they usually get assist, who will either step into the trailer or wait at the ramp, depends on the person. When we wait for delivery of T24 to process immediately, there's a lot of helpers and trailers are unloaded very quickly.

[Whinealot]

The loading should only ever be done by the driver as they're the one legally responsible if anything goes wrong with the load whilst they're on the road.

All HGV 318’s contain “load assist” they don’t say driver loads themselves! There are number of MC’s and Do’s that seem to be oblivious to this basic simple instruction that is agreed by planners, VoC and Mc or do and ls supposed to be staffed to provide it. The interpretation at my VOC is staff bring the work to the truck for driver to load it and inspect it for compliance of security of stacking and straps on the yorks. As said if no load assist is provided to driver then once loading time is about to expire any unloaded work is left behind! With 92/5/8/110 dds bottom deck York amount is layed off first and only then is top deck loaded. HGV’s must run to time and only CPC can hold them beyond despatch time. I have been backed 100% by my managers and CWU when dealing with non compliant Mc and Do’s. No help and the failure is on them. Simples!!!

[SpacePhoenix]

The loading should only ever be done by the driver as they're the one legally responsible if anything goes wrong with the load whilst they're on the road.

All HGV 318’s contain “load assist” they don’t say driver loads themselves! There are number of MC’s and Do’s that seem to be oblivious to this basic simple instruction that is agreed by planners, VoC and Mc or do and ls supposed to be staffed to provide it. The interpretation at my VOC is staff bring the work to the truck for driver to load it and inspect it for compliance of security of stacking and straps on the yorks. As said if no load assist is provided to driver then once loading time is about to expire any unloaded work is left behind! With 92/5/8/110 dds bottom deck York amount is layed off first and only then is top deck loaded. HGV’s must run to time and only CPC can hold them beyond despatch time. I have been backed 100% by my managers and CWU when dealing with non compliant Mc and Do’s. No help and the failure is on them. Simples!!!

It's probably down to staffing cuts in MCs. We have just 1 porter in our Distribution, the rest of the staff are all drivers apart from the manager and the person in the Keyroom

[Whinealot]

The loading should only ever be done by the driver as they're the one legally responsible if anything goes wrong with the load whilst they're on the road.

All HGV 318’s contain “load assist” they don’t say driver loads themselves! There are number of MC’s and Do’s that seem to be oblivious to this basic simple instruction that is agreed by planners, VoC and Mc or do and ls supposed to be staffed to provide it. The interpretation at my VOC is staff bring the work to the truck for driver to load it and inspect it for compliance of security of stacking and straps on the yorks. As said if no load assist is provided to driver then once loading time is about to expire any unloaded work is left behind! With 92/5/8/110 dds bottom deck York amount is layed off first and only then is top deck loaded. HGV’s must run to time and only CPC can hold them beyond despatch time. I have been backed 100% by my managers and CWU when dealing with non compliant Mc and Do’s. No help and the failure is on them. Simples!!!

It's probably down to staffing cuts in MCs. We have just 1 porter in our Distribution, the rest of the staff are all drivers apart from the manager and the person in the Keyroom

To be fair mate in some places it’s been like it for over 20 years that I have been at RM, whether it’s Christmas or the height of summer.