Package Control outlines webbing strap benefits

By Categories: Commercial NewsPublished On: Thursday 18 August 2022

Load restraint manufacturer Package Control has said that there is still a place for the use of traditional ratchet or over-centre webbing straps as separate devices, in spite of the advent of EN 12642-XL which enables qualifying curtains to be used as load restraint devices, safety strap fall arrest systems, height safety flat-bed barriers, and internal fixed load restraint systems.

“Load restraint systems have increasingly become a very inclusive part of the body-building process in the effort to keep ahead of ever tighter safety regulations… but it all comes at a cost,” said Package Control, which has 30 years of experience in the trade.

“These systems are getting ever more costly with all the different parts needed to make them effective, especially with the rise in price of materials across the board that we have all seen. Replacement parts may also not be cheap, with availability being limited to the supplying originator, with some involving an additional labour cost and downtime to replace parts if they get damaged or worn. This all contributes to a higher cost for the systems over time, beyond the initial investment.”

At first sight, says the company, the traditional webbing strap may seem to have been ‘left behind’ to an extent.

“But it is still a very effective method to secure goods on and in trailers, that is still a very flexible solution, and can easily be stored or hooked up out of the way when not being used,” the firm continued.

“Being deployed in position is also safer with the advent of manual mounting devices; their use allows the operator to avoid leaving the ground to keep within the regulations. With this in mind, they could also be considered for use in conjunction with fitted systems as a flexible solution to some loads, as well as potentially reducing the cost of the fitted systems by not compromising any potential shortfall in their usability in certain circumstances.

“There is still the ongoing issue of trying to keep hold of the straps for use, as they have a habit of being lost or even sometimes growing legs and ‘walking’…. Various systems are available as semi-permanent locking systems to try to alleviate this issue, but again, these may not be right in certain circumstances and also come at additional cost which may or may not be clawed back in time. Perhaps the use of webbing stencilling (usually free on volume orders) bearing the company name, or even the registration number or trailer number they are used in, would help in the fight against loss. Personal issue of sets of straps to the driver/vehicle is also worth considering.

“With this in mind, the webbing strap as a separate entity is still a very integral tool that can be used to effectively restrain loads and, along with other systems or tools, can continue to be a very cost-effective solution, whilst still addressing the issues which may arise from their use to keep within the regulations.”

Package Control can advise on appropriate solutions for individual applications.

www.package-control.co.uk