Hi, My company wants to ship steel kiosks using a estate car. The kiosk would be lying in the boot with the back seats down. It wouldn't really be lashed down or anything. I'm worried it's not safe as you potentially have a 50kg missile in the back slamming into the front seats. I should specify we have a van but if it's in use they want to use the car as a backup. So far we've not had to use it but I think we shouldn't at all. Does anyone know if there's a specific law that prevents this. My boss seems to think I'm overreacting so want something to show him to prove he'd be putting employees at risk. Am I overreacting? Any help gratefully appreciated!

That would only work if it was fitted behind the rear seats wouldn't it? They'd want the rear seats folded down so the boot would be big enough to fit a kiosk in.

"A person is guilty of an offence if he uses, or causes or permits another to use, a motor vehicle or trailer on a road when— the condition of the motor vehicle or trailer, or of its accessories or equipment, or the weight, position or distribution of its load, or the manner in which it is secured, is such that the use of the motor vehicle or trailer involves a danger of injury to any person." Section 40A of the Road Traffic Act The fact that the load isn't secure means the both the drive and the responsible manager are committing an offence. I wouldn't have an opinion on what vehicle is used to transport it, but that is the law on load security. He must satisfy himself and you that the load will be secured so as not to pose a hazard to the driver. Car, van, lorry, horse drawn cart it makes no difference.

Exactly how will these be loaded/unloaded. You will also need to check out the permitted load limit for the vehicle.

I don't know what car you have, but mine, not even an estate, has fixings to which you can lash down a load. It may also be that if yours does not they could be fitted (four ring bolts is all that is needed.) Chris

Tie down load to seat belt anchors. I do it regularly!