Secure restraint of loads on vehicles is important in preventing accidents and injury to people.

In April 2004, the revised edition of the national Load Restraint Guide was released. The following document provides information on the national Load Restraint Guide – Second Edition.

To order a copy of the national Load Restraint Guide – Second Edition 2004 please contact the VicRoads Bookshop on (03) 9854 2782. The cost of the guide is $8.00 (including GST) per copy plus postage.

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Individual sections of the Load Restraint Guide Second Edition 2004 are now on the NTC (National Transport Commission) [external website] in .pdf format.

A load restraint training package has been developed to support the new guide and improve the awareness and understanding of load restraint practices. The training information is available from the National Transport Commission’s website.

To assist drivers and operators in the appropriate restraint of loads, VicRoads, in consultation with industry, has prepared a series of seven individual commodity specific load restraint information booklets.

Carrying Steel [PDF, 1,981 KB, 12 pp ]
Carrying Rolls and Reels [PDF,1018 KB, 8 pp ]
Carrying Concrete Panels [PDF, 1,079 KB, 8 pp ]
Carrying Concrete Pipes [PDF, 1,122 KB, 8 pp ]
Carrying Bales [PDF, 1,525 KB, 8 pp ]
Carrying Loads on Light Vehicles [PDF, 1,153 KB, 8 pp ]
Carrying Logs and Timber [PDF, 1,728 KB, 12 pp]

It should be noted that all booklets reflect current best practice and are intended as a guide only.

Timber Transport Load Management Guidelines - Green Triangle Region

In April 2009, the Victorian and South Australian governements launched the Green Triangle Region Freight Action Plan. The Action Plan identifies the need to provide guidance to industry on the issues associated with load security for woodchips, logs and sawdust. A booklet, Timber Transport Load Management Guidelines - Green Triangle [PDF, 686 KB, 8 pp], has been developed by VicRoads and the Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure South Australia, in consultation with the timber industry. The booklet not only provides guidance on how to secure and position loads, it also details responsibilities for mass, dimension and load restraint under the 'Chain of Responsibility' laws.

Retro-Fitting Tarps and Safety Harnesses

In August 2005 a limited heavy vehicle width exemption was granted in Victoria to facilitate the retro-fitting of equipment to prevent falls from heights.  Retro-Fitting Tarps and Safety Harnesses [PDF 128kb]

Further Information

For further enquiries about the safe loading of vehicles and restraint of loads, contact VicRoads' Transport Safety Services Staff.

VicRoads Region	Area	Telephone No.	Address
Metro North West	Metropolitan Melbourne, north-west of the Yarra River	9302 8400	Pearcedale Parade Broadmeadows Vic 3047
Metro South East	Metropolitan Melbourne, south-east of the Yarra River	9881 8862	12 Lakeside Drive Burwood Vic 3151
Eastern	Warragul, Leongatha, Traralgon, Sale, Bairnsdale, Genoa	5135 3037	87 Princes Way Morwell Vic 3840
Northern	Seymour, Kyneton, Bendigo, Echuca, Swan Hill, Charlton	5434 5000	57 Lansell Street Bendigo Vic 3550
North Eastern	Yea, Mansfield, Wodonga, Cobram, Shepparton	5761 1888	50 Clarke Street Benalla Vic 3672
South Western	Geelong, Colac, Warrnambool, Portland, Hamilton	5225 2578	180 Fyans Street South Geelong Vic 3220
Western	Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat, Ararat, Horsham, Mildura	5333 8779	88 Learmonth Road Ballarat Vic 3350