How to transfer items to and from your van safely using your van ramp

Using your van ramp to transfer items to and from your van raises several potential risks. Although our serrated slip-resistant flooring provides safety when it comes to potential slips in any weather conditions, other safety precautions need to be considered. Here's how to transfer items to and from your van safely.

Make sure your van ramp is secure.

For rest-on ramps, make sure that the flat top is resting evenly and completely on top of the van floor, and make sure that the ramp is resting evenly against the ground as well. This avoids ramp movement and shaking as you walk up and down, reducing the risk of a fall.

For fitted folding van ramps, make sure that your ramp is fully extended and is resting flat against the ground.

Adhere to the SWL (safe working load) of the ramp.

It is crucial that you adhere to the SWL which can be found on a sticker on the side of your ramp. For rest on van ramps, our most common SWL is 750kg, however, for fitted ramps, the SWL is most often 500kg. If adhered to, it prevents damage to the ramp from heavy load, and provides safety for the users.

Loading and unloading areas should be clear of traffic or pedestrians.

When you're loading and unloading your van, it's important to keep other traffic and pedestrians clear of the area. Make sure you're in an area clear of traffic, and that there are no pedestrians walking nearby.

Parked on level ground to maintain stability.

The van should be parked on level ground so that it maintains its stability, as well as the stability and security of your ramp. Additionally, make sure that the ground is not muddy or wet before parking your vehicle, as this can make for an unsafe situation for both you and others.

Loads should be spread as evenly as possible.

You should also spread your load evenly and secure it in place. Tie-downs or straps will help you do this, as will using a cargo net to cover the load.

If you're using a tarp to cover your load, make sure that it's long enough to completely cover the area. If possible, use a van liner that protects things from getting dirty when they're travelling, which also acts as extra padding.

Ensure the van has its brakes applied.

If you're moving items to and from your van using your van, make sure that the van is stationary and that you've applied the brake before opening its tailgate or any other doors. This is crucial to avoid any movement to the van and to avoid the van completely rolling away while you're loading and unloading goods.

Vehicles must never be overloaded, as they can become unstable.

You should never overload your vehicle. Overloaded vehicles can become unstable, which could lead to an accident. Drivers should not exceed the maximum legal weight limit of their van.

It can be easy to forget about these things, but taking time to do them right will keep everyone safe and make sure your load stays secure throughout its journey.