5. Load Safety & Medical Fitness

5. Load Safety & Medical Fitness

The organisation shall ensure that all possible measures are implemented so that the vehicle and load safety is verified at the loading site, during transit, and at the off-loading site.
A daily basic roadworthiness check or pre-trip inspection of the vehicle is an essential requirement. The organisation shall have systems in place to prevent any vehicle entering a public road, if the vehicle has a defect which will compromise the safety of the vehicle or where the defect is not permitted in terms of applicable regulations.

The organisation shall ensure that the load is adequately secured so that load safety during transit is optimised. The procedure by which the load is secured shall consider the specific type of goods or equipment. Such procedure(s) shall, where applicable also provide details of:

  • Load orientation e.g. position of scoop for earthmoving grader that is being transported
  • Number of straps
  • Planned position of goods e.g. break-bulk loads
  • Uniform axle load distribution
  • Measures to minimise load shifting
  • Verification of load dimensions e.g. overhang and maximum height for laden car carrier combination
  • Securing tarpaulins
  • Passenger transport to consider passenger safety during entry, transit and exit

The organisation shall identify relevant standards, legislation regulations, industry and customer requirements specific to the nature of its operations. The organisation shall demonstrate compliance to these identified requirements which may include, but not limited to, the following:

  • The National Road Traffic Act 93 of 96 and applicable regulations
  • Chapter VIII of the Regulations (Transport of Dangerous Goods and Substances by Road)
  • Section 81 of the Act (Exemption Permit – Abnormal Load)
  • SANS 1518 construction of road tankers
  • SANS 1398 construction of road tankers (petroleum based Flammable liquids) 
  • Occupational Health & Safety Act, 1993 and applicable regulations
  • Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act 1998
  • Petrochemical industry requirements specified by various industry stakeholders e.g. SQAS Road Assessment, Shell 7 Pillars etc.
  • Customer Requirements e.g. compliance with Mine Health and Safety Act
  • Cross Border Permit Conditions
  • SANS 10231 – transportation of dangerous goods by road – operational requirements.
  • Port entry permit Conditions.
  • TRH 11 (Abnormal loads & Cranes)
  • Foreign country requirements for cross border operations – driving times, speed restrictions, GVM restrictions, axle load restrictions (Mozambique rely on axle weight not GVM) PBS vehicles allowed into Mozambique.

Audit Requirements

  • Is there evidence of daily pre-trip vehicle inspections?
  • Is this practice consistently implemented? (A selection of vehicles over a specific period is used to assess compliance during the audit)
  • Does the loading method ensure that loads are secure?
  • Is the loading method verified
  • Are there specific industry/legal or customer requirements applicable to the operation?
  • Is there compliance to the above?
  • For any non-conformances to the above, have corrective actions been implemented?

The organisation shall ensure that drivers are medically fit and resources are allocated toward continued driver wellness, so that drivers’ own safety is preserved and the safety of public road users is not compromised due to driver health and wellness deficiencies. To this end, the organisation shall implement appropriate health and wellness initiatives, including a fatigue management plan.

  • The organisation shall ensure that drivers have annually been declared medically fit to drive a heavy vehicle.
  • In cases where drivers are diagnosed with chronic conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes, there shall be effective management of such drivers including:
  • Training and awareness initiatives relating to the associated risks and treatment thereof
  • Adequate supervision of such drivers

The organisation shall provide appropriate formal or informal training and awareness that could contribute to optimal driver wellness on relevant topics such as:

  • Importance of adequate sleep
  • Health eating and nutrition basics
  • Exercise
  • Alcohol & Substance Abuse
  • Personal health & hygiene
  • Chronic illnesses (symptoms, prevention & treatment)

Audit Requirements

  • Medical Fitness certificates for all drivers?
  • Management of Chronic Conditions?
  • Fatigue Management Plan
  • Shift hours
  • Driving hours
  • Alcohol Testing
  • Health & Wellness Initiatives
  • Corrective Actions for any non-conformances e.g. excessive driving hours, positive alcohol test etc.