loading of trailers in MCs

[blue1873]

Anyone know who is offically responsible for safe loading of trailers in MCs,
at our office Mech staff will load trailer with mail for despatch which first
has to be taken to platform area which is at the other side of the building
to be segregated. no real problem with that but manager now telling staff
that they are responsible for the strapping up of the loaded yorks despite
there been no training given on this let alone anything being signed off on
this.Given that trailer has to leave RM premises and onto public road albeit
a short distance( 1/4 mile ) .who is LEGALLY responsible for this ?
staff or driver .Appreciate anyones help .

[SpacePhoenix]

Anyone know who is offically responsible for safe loading of trailers in MCs,
at our office Mech staff will load trailer with mail for despatch which first
has to be taken to platform area which is at the other side of the building
to be segregated. no real problem with that but manager now telling staff
that they are responsible for the strapping up of the loaded yorks despite
there been no training given on this let alone anything being signed off on
this.Given that trailer has to leave RM premises and onto public road albeit
a short distance( 1/4 mile ) .who is LEGALLY responsible for this ?
staff or driver .Appreciate anyones help .

If the manager is referring to the three straps on the front of a york then it's their responsibility. If the manager is referring to the strapping inside a trailer then imo it should be done by the driver of that arctic.

[blue1873]

It's the straps inside the trailer S/P ,driver is often sent
to do other shunting work and is'nt available this is when
the problem occurs. thanks S/P

[baldrick]

Also mech staff should not be entering trailers if they are not wearing Personal Protection - safety (steel toe caps) shoes/boots,
high vis (which should be yellow on platforms, not orange), and gloves - that's a Health & Safety issue.
In my MC the artic driver usually straps the Yorkies in, but if he/she is not there (on break), the platform staff who should be trained, can do it.

[Pinky 1]

Also mech staff should not be entering trailers if they are not wearing Personal Protection - safety (steel toe caps) shoes/boots,
high vis (which should be yellow on platforms, not orange), and gloves - that's a Health & Safety issue.
In my MC the artic driver usually straps the Yorkies in, but if he/she is not there (on break), the platform staff who should be trained, can do it.

That's all very well, but i think you'll find that the driver is ultimately responsible for the load of his trailer.

[blue1873]

Baldrick the yorks are loaded on to trailer at the opposite side of building
from the platform so no trained(?) staff at point of loading.trailer can be
fully loaded for a considerable time before driver is available so at times
it would probably be better to walk the individual yorks to their actual
despatch point on the platform but try telling management that

[baldrick]

You should take it up with your H&S Rep. The manager can't ignore H&S requirements.

[blue1873]

Baldrick when we do manage to get hold of H&S REP he speaks to manager
and the problem disappears for a few days then reappears again when he gets
hold of some other members of staff unaware of the problem(thinks he's a flyman)
in reallity all he needs is a good boot in the Dennis Laws
Don't think we'd get away with it though

[SpacePhoenix]

On a related note to the OP (may be worth a thread on its own), once distribution functions go over to logistics, will processing staff even be allowed into the warehouse, collection bay or yard at any MC apart from when a fire alarm has gone off?

[baldrick]

Also mech staff should not be entering trailers if they are not wearing Personal Protection - safety (steel toe caps) shoes/boots,
high vis (which should be yellow on platforms, not orange), and gloves - that's a Health & Safety issue.
In my MC the artic driver usually straps the Yorkies in, but if he/she is not there (on break), the platform staff who should be trained, can do it.

That's all very well, but i think you'll find that the driver is ultimately responsible for the load of his trailer.

You are right that it is the driver's responsibility to be satisfied that the load is secured. But the driver does not have to strap in all the Yorks. Trained platform staff can strap in Yorks, but the driver does have to strap in the last Yorks to go in, and close the shutter, once he/she is satisfied that the load is secure.
But untrained processing staff should not be loading or strapping in Yorks. They should not even enter trailers.

[sheff postie]

If VOSA pull the driver and the load is unsecure (not strapped correctly) it is his responablity and he will be punished, i load and strap my own waggon (not arctic just 7.5 tonne), im not trusting anyone when they could be lazy, irresponsable and not load correctly and get me points on my licence.

[baldrick]

If VOSA pull the driver and the load is unsecure (not strapped correctly) it is his responablity and he will be punished, i load and strap my own waggon (not arctic just 7.5 tonne), im not trusting anyone when they could be lazy, irresponsable and not load correctly and get me points on my licence.

You are right to do that and most drivers do load and strap themselves. But some drivers don't want to do the loading and strapping, and leave it to the platform staff.

[andy2007]

What about trailer swaps?
We were given training, in loading and strapping trailers safely. At the RDC, we're responsible for making sure they're loaded and strapped correctly. Then the Driver's supposed to look in the back, to make sure we've done it properly, before going. As to who's ultimately responsible, particularly when there's a trailer left in the yard for them to collect (pre loaded), I don't know. But I do know that as far as the Bay Managers are concerned, if it's not done right, and anything happens. It'd be us, who'd be on a disciplinary!

[blue1873]

Thanks for replies folks. But Andy 2007 surely if anything was to happen
to the trailer whilst on the public highway (outwith another vehicle running
straight into it) then surely the driver is held responsible by the letter of
the law for the safety of his loaded vehicle

[andy2007]

I don't know. As far as the Bay Managers are concerned, if anything goes wrong (failed roadside check, RTA, etc.) and it's caused by the load being incorrectly loaded, or secured. It's our fault, for failing to carry out our duties (balancing the load properly, and strapping it correctly). Although, I suspect you're right, that legally, it's entirely the responsibility of the driver. But why that is, when they've collected a trailer swap. And threfore weren't present, when it was loaded, I don't know.