What Safety Standards Do Ratchet Straps Have to Meet?

Ratchet straps are all about safety - it’s their whole raison d'etre. Built to help transport and haulage firms safely transport cargo from A to B, these versatile cargo straps can be used in a whole host of different ways - and there are now a range of different designs available to suit every application you can think of.

But there’s much more to ratchet strap safety than simply choosing the right strap. Users of ratchet straps must adhere to a number of different regulations, which we’re going to run through in this blog.

So What Safety Standards Do They Need to Meet?

European Standard, EN 12195-2

For starters, all ratchet straps should comply with the current European standard, EN 12195-2. Typically, a label is attached to the webbing of the strap to confirm this, along with a number of other technical specifications, like elongation, length, webbing material and lashing capacity.

The Highway Code, Road Traffic Act & Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations

These well-known publications each say the same thing about ratchet straps at a fundamental level: that any cargo secured using them must be just that - secure - and that it must not fall off the vehicle or destabilise it.

The regulations also state that the driver and their employer are responsible for the safety of the load.

Health & Safety At Work Act

This one’s not specific to ratchet straps, but applies nonetheless. In sections two and three of the act, it’s made clear that all employers (and the self-employed) are legally required to do their bit to ensure the health and safety of their employees and those who could be impacted by any accidents involving a load.

Risk assessments must be completed where appropriate, suitable equipment (i.e. ratchet straps with the correct load rating) must be supplied, and any employees involved in securing loads should be adequately trained.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)

The 1998 PUWER regulations state that all work equipment must be…

• Fit for purpose
• Inspected regularly for defects
• Maintained correctly
• Used only by those with the appropriate training

It’s vital that all of the above regulations and guidelines are adhered to. Sure, accidents happen - but by doing your bit to maximise safety, you’ll drastically reduce the likelihood of being involved in any of the 5,200 ratchet strap-related accidents that occur each year in the UK.