Release vehicles for the transportation of loads

This standard is about releasing vehicles for the transportation of loads. It involves checking that an appropriate driver has been allocated and all pre-journey routines have been completed.

This standard is relevant to all those who are responsible for the release of vehicles for the transportation of loads as part of their job role.

1.    maintain the health and safety of yourself and others at all times, in line with the relevant legislation and organisational requirements
2.    identify hazards and assess risks as you carry out the activity and wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), where required
3.    confirm that the relevant training has been received to carry out the work, recognise the limits of your competence and seek access to further training where required
4.    obtain and confirm the details of the loads to be collected or delivered
5.    confirm the routing and scheduling information for the transportation of loads
6.    confirm the driver, vehicle and equipment are suitable, road worthy and meet the legal requirements for the transportation of loads
7.    maintain records of the driver, vehicle and equipment allocated for the transportation of loads, in line with legal and organisational requirements
8.    maintain effective communication with colleagues when carrying out the work 
9.    authorise the use of resources and complete required documentation to release vehicles for the transportation of loads in line with organisational procedures
10.    issue the relevant documentation to drivers in relation to consignments and collection or delivery details in line with organisational procedures
11.    confirm that drivers have relevant resources and documentation which comply with legal requirements and organisational procedures
12.    deal effectively with issues that arise within the scope and limitations of your responsibilities and competence and report issues which cannot be resolved, in line with organisational procedures

1.    your responsibilities under the relevant health and safety legislation and organisational requirements
2.    how to identify hazards and assess risks as you carry out the activity and the requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE)
3.    the type of load and characteristics of the consignments to be transported
4.    the different modes of transport and vehicles used by the organisation for the transportation of loads
5.    the types of vehicles and equipment used for carrying different loads and the organisational procedures for releasing them
6.    the relevant skills, qualifications and licences required by drivers within the organisation
7.    the organisation’s policies and procedures and the relevant legal and organisational requirements relating to the release of vehicles for the transportation of loads
8.    the route, destination, collection and delivery schedules for the transportation of loads
9.    the roles and responsibilities of colleagues and why it is important to maintain effective communication with colleagues when carrying out your work 
10.    the information and recording systems used by the organisation and the legal and organisational requirements for maintaining records, including data protection legislation and organisational procedures for data security

Documentation: manifests, delivery notes, hazardous goods information 

Health and safety includes mental and physical wellbeing

Legal and organisational requirements could include:

• Driving, vehicle and transport regulations
• Machinery and equipment regulations
• Workplace safety regulations
• Working time regulations
• Codes of practice
• Organisational requirements
• Environmental, ethical and social considerations

Load could include: containers; sealed loads or trailers; palletised goods; cages; individual boxes/packages; casks/kegs; bulk materials; liquids, powders or grains; food; temperature-controlled goods; livestock; hazardous goods; vehicles, plant or machinery; timber; customer’s removal goods; goods for return/repair etc

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) could include: high-visibility clothing, hard hats, protective clothing, eye protection, masks, gloves, safety footwear