Ratchet straps are among the most commonly-used load restraint systems in road transport. However, some operators fail to fasten their ratchet straps correctly before setting off, reducing the straps' effectiveness and increasing the risk of load movement during transit.

A properly-fastened ratchet strap goes a long way towards keeping your goods safe while also protecting other road users and helping you to meet your legal responsibilities for load security.

Ratchet straps that are manufactured and labelled to BS EN 12195-2:2001 are specifically designed for load restraint applications on road vehicles and should always be used in accordance with good load securing practices. Here's a typical example of what such a strap might look like:

Read on to learn how to fasten a ratchet strap correctly.

Before You Start

You should always inspect a ratchet strap before using it. Check for:

• Cuts or tears in the webbing

• Excessive abrasion

• Heat or chemical damage

• Bent or damaged hooks

• Corroded or damaged ratchet components

• Missing or unreadable labels

A strap with a damaged webbing section or an unreadable label should be removed from service.

Here are some examples of how a damaged ratchet strap might look:

Step 1: Position the Load

Before fitting any restraints, make sure the load is positioned correctly on the vehicle. It should be nice and stable, with even weight distribution to minimise the risk of movement.

Remember: your ratchet strap is only one part of the complete load-securing system. For example, you might also consider placing a friction mat under the load for extra security.

Step 2: Connect the End Fittings

Attach the strap's hooks or end fittings to suitable lashing points on the vehicle. Be sure to:

• Use designated load anchor points only.

• Check that the hooks are on securely and won't detach during the journey.

• Avoid side-loading the hooks.

You must NEVER fit hooks to lashing points whose diameter is too large for the hook. See our previous article Choosing the Correct Hook Size for more information on this.

Also, you should NEVER attach a ratchet strap to bodywork, curtains or components that are not designed for loadbearing.

Step 3: Route the Webbing

Pass the webbing over or around the load depending on the securing method being used.

For a typical over-the-top lashing:

• Route the strap over the top of the load.

• Ensure the strap remains flat.

• Protect the strap where it passes over edges.

For direct lashing:

• Attach the strap between the lashing point on the vehicle and a suitable securing point on the load.

• Ensure the straps remains flat, without any twists.

• Protect the strap where it crosses with others or contacts sharp or abrasive edges.

Whichever method you're using, take care to avoid twists in the webbing. Twisted straps don't perform as well and can result in uneven loading.

WARNING: Watch out for sharp corners and edges!

A ratchet strap's webbing can easily become damaged when tensioned against sharp corners/edges and subjected to the vibration of a vehicle in motion.

Always use corner protectors and wear sleeves when securing loads with sharp corners or exposed edges.

Step 4: Open the Ratchet Fully

Pull the ratchet handle until it is fully open. This exposes the centre spindle where the webbing is inserted.

The slot in the spindle should be clearly visible.

Step 5: Thread the Strap

Feed the free end of the webbing through the spindle slot from underneath.

Pull the strap through until most of the slack is removed by hand.

The webbing should:

• Lay flat

• Be centred in the spindle

• Not be twisted

• Have sufficient tail remaining

Correct threading is essential for efficient tensioning.

Step 6: Remove Slack by Hand

Before operating the ratchet:

• Pull as much webbing through as possible.

• Remove unnecessary slack.

• Position the ratchet where it can be operated safely.

Many users rely on the ratchet to take up large amounts of slack. Doing so wastes time and can result in the spool becoming overloaded. Ideally the ratchet strap will be correctly tensioned when there have been at least 2.25 complete turns of the spreader bar after threading.

Step 7: Apply Tension

Operate the ratchet handle back and forth. Each stroke wraps the webbing around the spindle and increases tension in the strap.

Continue until:

• The load is secure.

• The strap is tight.

• The restraint force required has been achieved.

Note: excessive force can damage equipment and overload vehicle anchor points.

Do not use extension bars or 'levers' on standard ratchets unless specifically authorised by the manufacturer.

Step 8: Lock the Ratchet

Once adequate tension has been applied:

• Close the handle fully.

• Make sure the locking pawls engage.

• Check that the ratchet will not open accidentally.

A correctly-closed ratchet should sit in its locked position with the handle flat against the frame.

Step 9: Secure the Loose Tail

One of the most commonly-overlooked steps involves securing the loose end of the webbing.

Tie or retain any excess webbing so that it cannot flap in the wind, become entangled, cause damage to the load or distract other road users.

A truly professional operator should always secure any loose tails before setting off.

Step 10: Final Checks Before Departure

Walk around the vehicle and confirm that:

• All hooks are engaged

• Ratchets are locked

• Webbing is untwisted

• Edge protection is fitted where required

• Loose tails are secured

• The load is stable

After travelling a short distance, stop and recheck tension. Loads can sometimes re-settle during the first few miles of a journey.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Twisted Webbing

Twists reduce effective contact with the load.

Using Damaged Straps

Damaged straps should be withdrawn from service immediately.

Over-Tensioning

More force does not always mean better restraint.

Ignoring Sharp Edges

A strap can fail rapidly if it is tensioned against an unprotected edge.

Using Ratchet Straps for Lifting

Ratchet straps manufactured to BS EN 12195-2 are load restraint products only. They must NEVER be used for lifting, hoisting, recovery or suspending loads. For more information, see Can You Use Ratchet Straps for Lifting?

The Bottom Line

Fastening a ratchet strap correctly is more than simply pulling a handle. Proper inspection, threading, tensioning and protection of the webbing all play a vital role in keeping loads secure.

A correctly-fastened ratchet strap should be:

• Undamaged

• Properly labelled

• Correctly threaded

• Tensioned appropriately

• Locked securely

• Protected from sharp edges

Getting these fundamentals right will help to prevent damage and make everyone on the road safer.

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Author's Note: This guide relates to load restraint straps manufactured to BS EN 12195-2:2001 and should be read alongside vehicle-specific load securing procedures and BS EN 12195-1 load restraint calculation requirements where applicable.

The safest and most accurate way to measure the combined height of your vehicle and its load is to measure from the ground to the highest point of the vehicle or load after everything has been fully loaded up and secured.

Height measuring sticks (telescopic load height poles) are commonly used in the transport industry specifically for this purpose.

According to Network Rail, bridge strikes cost the UK economy about £23 million every year, with an average cost of £13,000 for each individual incident. Network Rail now tries to recover 100% of these costs from the transport company or driver responsible. Investing a few hundred pounds in equipment and training significantly reduces the potential risk.

The following pages have some useful information on this topic:

• Wise Up, Size Up (Network Rail safety campaign)
  
  
• How to prevent vehicles from hitting bridges (UK government guidance)

Method 1: Telescopic Height Pole (Recommended)

1. Park on level ground.
   
   
2. Load and secure the vehicle exactly as it will travel.
   
   
3. Extend the height pole beside the vehicle until it touches the highest point.
   
   
4. Read the measurement directly from the scale.
   
   
5. Record the height in the cab and on any transport documentation if required.

This is the quickest vehicle/load height measurement method for flatbeds, curtain-siders carrying awkward loads, plant trailers and abnormal loads.

Method 2: Measure Vehicle Height + Load Height

If you don't have a height stick that would allow you to measure the full height of the loaded-up vehicle, you can use this method instead:

1. Measure the trailer deck height from the ground.
   
   
2. Measure the load height from the trailer bed to the highest point of the load.
   
   
3. Add these two measurements together

For example, if your trailer deck height is 1.35 metres and the load height is 2.5 metres, the total height of your loaded-up vehicle will be 3.85 metres.

Best Practices

For haulage operators, we normally recommend:

• Measuring every unusual or high load.
  
  
• Writing the overall height on a dashboard card or display, and keeping this within sight for quick reference against bridge road signs.
  
  
• Checking for route restrictions before departure (see below for advice).
  
  
• Re-measuring to confirm your vehicle height if it's close to 4.95m or any route restriction.
  
  
• Bearing in mind that suspension changes and tyre pressures can alter vehicle height slightly.
  
  
• Ensuring that all equipment is securely lashed and locked in position so that (for example) booms and jibs can't extend during the journey.

Route Restrictions

Before setting off with a loaded vehicle, these are the key route restrictions that should be checked:

1) Bridge Height Restrictions

This is the most critical check for high loads. Look for...

• Low bridges
• Railway bridges
• Footbridges
• Temporary bridge works
• Locations of past bridge strikes

Your measured vehicle height must be lower than the posted clearance. Bridge strikes are a significant cause of infrastructure damage and transport incidents, so don't drive under a bridge unless you know for sure that the combined height of your vehicle and load is low enough to fit.

2) Overhead Services

Bridges aren't the only overhead hazard you need to be mindful of. You should also check for...

• Power lines
• Telephone and data cables
• Pipe bridges
• Conveyor crossings
• Overhead gantries

These can be lower than standard road structures, particularly in industrial estates, ports and construction sites.

Here at Tensys Direct, we stock height sticks with imperial and metric scales to help you measure your vehicle's height easily and accurately. Click the button below to browse and buy.

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When purchasing ratchet straps and other types of load restraint equipment, buyers are often told to look for a CE mark as evidence of compliance and safety. While that may be good advice for some products, it doesn't apply to web lashings manufactured to BS EN 12195-2:2001.

In fact, for transport operators, fleet managers and procurement teams, focusing on CE marking can distract from the information that actually matters when it comes to securing loads safely and demonstrating compliance.

What to Look for Instead

Web lashings used for load restraint on road vehicles are covered by BS EN 12195-2:2001, the recognised standard for web lashings manufactured from man-made fibres. This standard specifies requirements for design, manufacture, testing, marking and traceability.

When a driver secures a load, the important information is not whether a CE logo appears on the strap. What matters is whether the lashing has been manufactured and labelled in accordance with BS EN 12195-2.

Why CE Marking Isn't Relevant

The CE mark is only needed where specific legislation requires it. Not every product sold in the UK or Europe falls within this framework.

BS EN 12195-2 is a widely recognised product standard for load restraint equipment, but it is not a CE harmonised standard that requires manufacturers to apply a CE mark to their web lashings. Industry guidance and manufacturer documentation consistently recognise that lashings should demonstrate compliance through the requirements of BS EN 12195-2 rather than through CE marking.

For transport operators, this means that a strap without a CE mark is not necessarily non-compliant. And a strap that does have a CE mark is not automatically superior or safer.

Questions to Ask When Buying Ratchet Straps

Rather than asking suppliers whether their straps are CE marked, buyers should focus on the information that's directly relevant to load security and compliance.

1) Is the strap clearly labelled?

BS EN 12195-2 requires lashings to carry specific information, including:

• Lashing capacity (LC)
• Standard tension force (STF)
• Standard hand force (SHF)
• Strap material
• Manufacturer details
• Traceability information
• Reference to EN 12195-2

This information allows operators to verify that the lashing is suitable for the application and provides the data needed for load securing calculations.

SEE ALSO: How to Read the Information on a Ratchet Strap Label

2) Is the manufacturer traceable?

Every professional transport operation should be able to identify where its restraint equipment came from.

Traceability enables:

• Product recalls if required
• Investigation of failures
• Verification of test records
• Demonstration of due diligence

3) Can the supplier support performance claims?

Buyers should be looking for:

• Documented testing
• Quality assurance procedures
• Consistent manufacturing standards
• Product traceability

These factors provide far greater assurance than the presence of a CE mark or any other logo on the label.

Why Label Information Matters During Roadside Inspections

During DVSA inspections, enforcement officers are interested in whether appropriate load securing equipment is being used.

The key information is normally found on the BS EN 12195-2 label. If a strap's label is missing, damaged or illegible, essential information such as the lashing capacity cannot be verified. Industry guidance notes that lashings without proper identification should not be used because compliance cannot be established.

For fleet operators, maintaining properly labelled restraint equipment is therefore far more important than
seeking out unnecessary product markings.

Avoid Being Misled by Marketing Claims

The transport industry has become increasingly familiar with terms such as:

• "CE approved"
• "CE certified"
• "CE compliant"

But for ratchet straps and web lashings, these claims often create confusion rather than clarity.

As a buyer, your responsibility is to ensure that restraint equipment is fit for purpose and compliant with the relevant load restraint standard. The correct question is not "Is it CE marked?" but rather "Is it fully compliant with BS EN 12195-2 and correctly labelled?". That's what will give you meaningful assurance about the suitability of the product for load securing operations.

The Bottom Line

For transport operators, logistics companies and procurement professionals, the safest purchasing decision is to focus on compliance with BS EN 12195-2:2001, not on CE marking.

A quality lashing should provide:

• Clear EN 12195-2 identification
• Declared LC, STF and SHF values
• Full traceability
• Manufacturer information
• Evidence of testing and quality control

These are the features that help keep loads secure, drivers safe and operators compliant.

When buying ratchet straps, don't ask for a CE mark. Ask for compliance with BS EN 12195-2. That's the standard that matters.

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To keep your ratchet buckles in optimum condition, we recommend regular lubrication after cleaning.

Recommended lubricant

Use a light dry silicone spray or PTFE dry lubricant on pivot points, gear teeth and the release mechanism. These sprays are commonly available and you may already have a supply in your workshop. Popular brands are WD40 Dry Lubricant (not standard WD40), GT85 and Action Can SP90 etc. Avoid heavy grease or over-application, as excess lubricant can attract grit and contaminate the webbing.

Apply a light spray to hinge pins, pawl, ratchet wheel teeth and release mechanism. Diagrams below shows the key areas to spray.

Lubrication tips

• Operate the handle several times to distribute lubricant through moving parts
• Wipe away all visible excess lubricant, especially near the strap path
• Re-lubricate if the ratchet feels stiff, after heavy outdoor use, or after washing

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The biggest misconception is that a 10 tonne ratchet strap can secure twice the load of a 5 tonne strap. In practice, the difference is more nuanced.

Strength

A 10 tonne strap is manufactured with heavier webbing and a larger ratchet, giving:

• Higher breaking force
• Higher lashing capacity
• Higher standard tension force (STF)

This means it can apply more restraining force when tensioned.

Practical Example

For...

• Palletised goods
• Building materials
• General curtain-sided loads
• Small plant and machinery

...a 50mm 5 tonne strap is usually the industry standard.

For...

• Excavators
• Large plant equipment
• Steel fabrications
• Abnormal loads

A 75mm 10 tonne strap is often preferred because it provides more restraint force and is more resistant to damage from sharp edges and abrasion.

Size & Handling

A 10 tonne strap is considerably:

• Heavier
• Bulkier
• Harder to throw over loads
• More expensive

Many operators prefer to use several 5 tonne straps rather than one 10 tonne strap because they are easier to handle and often provide better load distribution.

Compliance

Under BS EN 12195 load securing calculations, simply fitting a stronger strap does not automatically mean you can use fewer straps. The required number is determined by:

• Load weight
• Friction coefficient between load and truck/trailer
• Securing method
• STF value
• Load dimensions

This is why STF-based lashing calculations are important for determining the actual number of straps required.

Rule of Thumb

Choose a 5 tonne strap when:

• General haulage loads are being secured
• Ease of handling is important
• Standard UK transport applications are involved

Choose a 10 tonne strap when:

• Securing heavy plant or abnormal loads
• Higher STF is required
• Extra durability and robustness are needed

For most UK haulage operators, a quality 50mm 5 tonne ratchet strap remains the go-to restraint product, while 10 tonne straps are generally reserved for specialist heavy-duty applications.

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Ratchet buckles are a simple mechanism but aren't maintenance free.

Maintaining ratchet buckles properly ensures they stay safe, functional, and long-lasting.

Here's a straightforward guide to help you keep them in good condition:

1. Regular Cleaning

• After use, especially in dirty or wet environments, clean the buckle and strap.

• Use warm water and mild soap to remove dirt, grease, or salt.

• Avoid harsh chemicals that could degrade the metal or strap material.

• Dry thoroughly to prevent rust or mildew.

2. Lubrication

• Apply a light lubricant (like WD-40DRY, PTFE or silicone spray) to the moving parts of the ratchet mechanism.

• Wipe off excess to avoid attracting dust and debris.

• Do this periodically or if the ratchet feels stiff.

3. Inspection

• Check for fraying, cuts, or excessive wear on the strap.

• Inspect the ratchet teeth and handle for damage or deformation.

• Ensure the release mechanism works smoothly.

4. Storage

• Store in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight.

• Avoid leaving them exposed to the elements for long periods.

• Coil the straps neatly to prevent tangling or creasing.

5. Usage Tips

• Don't over-tighten as this can damage both the buckle and the cargo.

• Always align the strap properly in the ratchet to avoid jamming.

• Use the correct strap rating for the load you're securing.

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about how to look after your Tensys ratchet straps. You may also want to download our handy maintenance checklist and log (PDF opens in new window).

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If you've ever looked closely at one of our ratchet strap labels, you may have spotted the term BFmin. This is short for minimum breaking force – a very important measurement, and one that's often misunderstood.

Basically, the minimum breaking force is your brand new ratchet strap's absolute limit. If the strap is subjected to forces equalling or exceeding the BFmin, the strap will fail.

BFmin should not be confused with the strap's lashing capacity (LC), which refers to the maximum force your ratchet strap is designed to sustain in actual working conditions.

Read on to learn more about BFmin and what it actually means in relation to our ratchet straps.

Storing your ratchet straps correctly is crucial if you want to prevent premature wear and minimise the risk of a dangerous accident caused by a strap failing.