Correct loading of a 600/7.5 Tonne

[ballsup]

Hello

I am looking for a safe systems of work or something official about the agreed correct loading of a 600 royal mail van, over Christmas there has been a number of staff loading 16 yorks on to a 600 in my mail center. I got into an argument on Monday with the manager about it and they said as long as the gross weight isn't over 7.5 tonne there is nothing wrong with it. While I agree legally there probably isn't anything the police or vosa would do if the van wasn't overweight there must be an agreement or safe systems of work that says the maximum yorks on a van is 15.

Would also like something official about the correct loading of 7.5 tonne hire vans.

Thanks in advance

[GT750rider]

Pages 123 / 124 of the Driver's manual ( which every RM driver should have ) goes part of the way on this. As regards a 7.5 tonne hire vehicle, these are usually longer than the RM 600's, and I was taught to put 3 empty yorks at the front. This is to avoid overloading - - if you put 18 full yorks on, that would be illegal. That didn't stop some of the clever lads at my old office doing it though.

[ballsup]

Thanks I'll check my drivers manual if I can find it

With regards to hire vans I have seen 20+ yorks on them if they are turned, be under 7.5 tonne and both axle's be under weight as well, with the increase in the use of hire vans there needs to be something in writing about the correct way to load them so drivers know when managers are taking the piss

[ianprise]

It depends a lot on what you are loading. If you have 10 yorks of heavy flats at 250kgs a York you are nearly at capacity. With yorks of large packets you are usually way underweight. Just remember it is your licence and don't let a manager pressure you to overload just to save him the bother of arranging another run.