Know your oversize rules
THE TRANSPORT OF OVERSIZE LOADS REQUIRES COMPLIANCE with a raft of extra requirements, in addition to all those required in the transport industry, such as loading weights, road user charges, worktime logbooks and so on.
Operators regularly engaged in the transport industry get to know the rules for oversize loads almost like the back of their hand – but when undertaking a different type of load, or working outside their normal operating area, it certainly pays to check the rules.
For overdimension loads the rules are contained in the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule, and while this document is not exactly riveting night-time reading, it is necessary to be across it – to ensure that drivers comply with the various requirements.
There are easier to read summaries of the Rule – such as the New Zealand Heavy Haulage Association’s Driver Guide – but each operator involved in the transport of overdimension loads should obtain and read a copy of the Rule. There are some common areas that operators need to be aware of, such as: travel requirements. In addition, for larger loads there are different travel zones. Apart from the region south of Christchurch, these haven’t changed for some time…but operators still need to get familiar with this.
In conjunction with the travel zones, then there are restrictions in terms of times when overdimension loads can be shifted in each of the zones. Generally, in the more builtup areas, the larger the load, the less time options there are available for travel. Drivers need to work out the dimensions of their load and then what this means in terms of the available travel times in the area that they’re working in. This particularly applies if you’re travelling from a rural area into an urban area.
Once you exceed a width of 3.1 metres, generally you need a pilot. But there are also other situations when you need a pilot – or should consider a pilot. For example, a Category 2 load at night needs a Class 1 pilot in addition to the Class 2 (pilot).And if the rear overhang exceeds 7m there are requirements for extra pilots. For other types of loads – for example those that are only over-height – you’ll need a pilot if you have to deviate outside your lane, or if the route that you’re travelling on means requires you to cross the centre line. The precise details are in the VDAM Rule, so get reading.
The point that I’m getting to is that there are detailed requirements for transporting oversize loads – so get yourself a copy of the Rule and find out for any load what the requirements are….and think about the route that you’re travelling on.
If you don’t do this, there are not just legal ramifications….but also potential safety risks for other road users, drivers and other staff. T&D