Tractor and trailer drivers are being reminded to stay safe when carting root crops during the darker months. The Root to Success initiative is promoting all aspects of safe towing following a 16% rise in trailer incidents over the past 18 months. It is highlighting the need to comply with the law and safe working practices.
Operators and employers have an obligation to comply with DVSA roadworthiness rules and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992 [PUWER], as well as British Standard 14200/2023.
“Managing risk is an essential part of modern farming,” said co-ordinator Jane Gurney, of the Tilly Pass campaign. Darker months remain a key time for accidents, especially when transporting root crops, she added.
Compliance
“When employing the services of a contractor on your farm or estate, they must provide evidence to you of their full compliance of qualified maintenance and record keeping. This could not be more relevant than during the root crop season.
“Making a risk assessment around this or indeed any hazard is an essential part of everyday agriculture. The person making and sharing these must have the appropriate qualifications, knowledge and experience.”
The Root to Success campaign is supported by police, safety experts, trailer manufacturers and industry bodies. They include sugar beet processor British Sugar, which said safety from farm to factory remains a priority.
High standards
A British Sugar spokesperson said: “We work together with several stakeholders across the beet growing area to ensure that we are setting high standards within this area.
“Every year, we remind hauliers transporting beet loads into the factory of safe load guidance, and work hard to make sure all of our industry partners are aware of any changes.”
Trailers should be sheeted if fully loaded or have sufficient ullage so the load cannot fall from the trailer. Operators should have a good understanding of the weights and speeds of their vehicle combination.
Penalties
Trailer weights are set at 18.29 tonnes, a tractor not exceeding 12.71 tonnes; this makes a combination of 31 tonnes train weight. A tractor and trailer combination should not tow faster than 25mph/40kph.
A police spokesperson said: “Sugar beet can cause damage to vehicles or collisions from drivers swerving to avoid when falling off trailers and could result in a roadside penalty of points on a licence and fine.
“We prefer to educate and explain the reasons for following the regulations to prevent incidents occurring and keeping everyone safe.”
What is the Tilly Pass?
The Tilly Pass is a nationwide trailer inspection and maintenance scheme designed to be compliant with health and safety regulations.
An annual inspection is performed by fully qualified authorised technicians to bring trailers back to factory standard, improving both their performance and the safety innovation of the towing industry.
The risk of towing a combination that is not properly inspected and serviced should never be underestimated. On-site incidents can lead to fatal and life changing injuries – but accidents can often be avoided with the right attention to detail.
A Tilly Pass inspection and service is carried out by authorised technicians across our UK wide network. Technicians follow a strict procedure, recording every trailed braked item’s unique data.
For farm safety checks and inspection details, visit www.tillypass.co.uk
Loose loads ‘must be secured’
Updated guidance reinforces the need for operators to secure loose loads properly – or face legal action.
The requirement to sheet grain, silage and root crops has long been expected. But the DVSA update makes this clearer after a number of incidents where material fell from trailers and caused serious harm.
Loose loads can shift and bounce out, posing a risk to other road users,” says Jane Gurney, of the Tilly Pass safety campaign. “The rule is straightforward: if it’s loose, secure it.”
The only exception to this rule is when the load sits low enough in the trailer body for it to be fully contained without sheeting. Operators must risk assess every load they move to ensure compliance.
DVSA examiners can take action if they believe a load is unsafe, regardless of any assessment by the driver or operator. It says the message is simple: securing loads properly prevents accidents and protects everyone on the road.