Trailer safety: The ‘root’ to success

The Tilly Pass has been working with other industry experts to create a safety group, ‘Root to Success’, to talk about the importance of root crop carting.

Together they have created a trusted source of shared information covering all aspects of safe towing, giving farmers and contractors a clear understanding of essential requirements for operators and users to develop an up-to-date on-farm ‘safety portfolio’.

Members of the group shared some advice on safely transporting root crops this season.

Risk assessment

As our workplace changes with the seasons, it’s essential that new hazards are assessed. This could not be more relevant than at the start of the root crop season.

Making a risk assessment around this or indeed any hazard is an essential part of everyday agriculture, and the person making and sharing these must have the appropriate qualifications, knowledge and experience.

This should then be part of every business’ safety portfolio.

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland said a safety portfolio is an essential part of farming in a professional and responsible way, for all farms, whatever the size.

Maintenance

Inspections and record keeping are required to meet the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regs 1992 (PUWER) regulation 6 along with the new British Standard 14200/2023.

The Tilly Pass Scheme is an accessible way of meeting these requirements with on farm inspection, service and central trailer database; these documents can then be added to your safety portfolio.

Manufacturers’ daily checks

These should always be accessed, used and recorded – download the free safety app Head to Tow at the Tilly Pass website.

Knowing your machine

Angus Western, managing director at Richard Western, advises: “You understand the capacity of the trailer you’re towing when you know the actual capacity of the wheel equipment.

“For professional farmers and contractors requiring a flotation tyre, 26.5 rims would be the minimum.”

Load security

The DVSA published the revised version of the load security guidance in July 2023 with the requirement to sheet loose loads.

This seems to have caused some issues, a load security spokesperson said.

The requirement to do this was in the previous DFT code of practice, but DVSA made it more explicit in the update, due to some high-profile incidents where people had lost their lives due to loads bouncing off the back of trailers.

“The fundamental requirement to sheet loose loads has not changed since a loose load does present a danger to other road users if the load is not restrained in some way.

“The only concession we will be making will be in circumstances when the load is assessed (by the user) to be sat sufficiently low enough in the trailer, to the extent that it is secured by the structure of the vehicle, i.e. the vehicle’s sides, front and rear without the need to cover the load.”

DVSA said its examiners will continue to take action when they assess that the load, and the way it is secured (or not) presents a danger to other road users, irrespective of what a driver/operator risk assessment states.

General safety advice

Suffolk Police stressed the importance of having a good understanding of the weights and speeds of your combination, good visibility around the vehicle, displaying a number plate, working lights and the appropriate use of an amber flashing beacon.

“Trailer weights are set at 18.29 tonnes with a tractor not exceeding 12.71 tonnes; this makes a combination of 31 tonnes train weight.

“A tractor and trailer should not tow faster than 25mph/40kph. […] Trailers should be sheeted if fully loaded or sufficient ullage so the load cannot fall.

“Items such as sugar beet can cause damage to vehicles or collisions from drivers swerving to avoid when falling off trailers,” a spokesperson said.

Cymru Farm Safety added that it’s important to remember to check the vehicle and trailer condition before use, from ATV to a larger tractor and trailer. All loads must be secured, from bales to feed.

Respecting the roads

Andrew Chalk, rural road safety specialist at NFU Mutual, said it’s important for people to respect rural roads to the agricultural industry – but farmers and contractors also “need to respect the right of other people to enjoy the countryside safely”.

“[…] The Highway Code makes it clear that those vehicles which can do the most harm must take the most responsibility for keeping roads safe.

“As well as regular maintenance of trailers and vehicles and carrying out checks before heading out, farmers need to adapt their driving when towing.

“Remember that trailers will swing out when turning so indicate in plenty of time, and plan your routes to minimise disruption.

“Likewise, traffic build-up can be dangerous, so allow vehicles to pass when it’s possible and safe to do so.”

Sharing best practice

British Sugar, which is part of the Root to Success campaign, said it prioritises safety throughout its operations and supply chain, from farm to factory. 

“We work together with a number of stakeholders, including the DVSA and police forces within 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.

“We are excited to be part of the Root to Success campaign to help share best practice and make sure we can all look forward to a safe and successful campaign this year.”

The Farm Safety Foundation recently launched its new Little Book of Farm Safety (available on the Yellow Wellies Website) which includes a special chapter on transport.

Issues covered include trailer safety and trailer brakes.

Given that moving vehicles have been the cause of an average of seven deaths every year on farms over the past five years (HSE), trailers and their brakes should never be overlooked and must be given the same level of attention as the tractor itself.

Cymru Farm Safety concluded by saying: “Towing safely is everybody’s responsibility to ensure the safety of all road users. Dewch i ni gyd gwenud gwahaniaeth (let us all make a difference).”

Further information:

HSENI workplace transport health and safety

Business Wales vehicles and machinery health and safety