First reported 31 Mar 2014•Latest report 17 Apr 2020
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures in safety guidance, planning, loading, securing, equipment positioning, conspicuity and operational controls specifically governing agricultural bale handling and transport, including stacking or unstacking bales, loading and strapping trailers, and transporting bale chutes or comparable attachments on public roads.
Not included
Excludes generic agricultural workplace-safety, vehicle-driving or trailer-maintenance deficiencies where bale handling or transport is not the material safety condition.
Excludes ordinary vehicle or road hazards unrelated to agricultural bales or bale-related equipment.
Excludes generic guidance inconsistency without a specific connection to safe agricultural bale handling or transport.
Excludes downstream collision, collapse or injury outcomes where no continuing deficiency in bale-handling or transport controls is asserted.
Reports
2
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
5
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2014–2020
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
6
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
AGCO Limited1
Department for Transport1
Health and Safety Executive1
Ministerial department1
Private limited company1
Workplace safety regulator1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Lincolnshire
Concerns raised3
Inconsistent and uncoordinated guidance on bale safety
Lack of definitive guidance on loading and strapping loaded trailers for differing bale and trailer configurations
Lack of definitive guidance on stacking or unstacking bales
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.6
Action
Amend the DfT Code of Practice, “Safety Loads on Vehicles”, to cross-reference relevant guidance effectively.
Stated by Department for TransportStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 18 May 2020.
Action
Monitor incidents and modern farming practices and adapt bale-loading guidance accordingly.
Stated by Health and Safety ExecutiveStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 18 May 2020.
Action
Review INDG125, taking account of submitted comments and considering whether improvements can be made.
Stated by Health and Safety ExecutiveStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 18 May 2020.
Action
Work with relevant organisations, including DVSA and HSE where appropriate, to promote safe loading and unloading practices.
Stated by Department for TransportStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 18 May 2020.
Action
Produce and publish updated on-road load-securing guidance for vehicle operators.
Stated by Health and Safety ExecutiveStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 18 May 2020.
Action
Provide vehicle-loading training and specialist technical support to frontline personnel, alongside load-securing advice through agricultural forums.
Stated by Health and Safety ExecutiveStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 18 May 2020.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
Position
A comprehensive table covering every bale and trailer permutation is considered impractical because it would be overly complex and potentially confusing.
Stated by Department for TransportUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
DVSA is assigned responsibility for updating the Load Securing—Vehicle Operators Guidance, with HSE assistance.
Stated by Department for TransportRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Existing broad guidance and the legal framework are considered sufficient because risk assessment, planning and competent staff can safely manage varied bale-loading configurations.
Stated by Health and Safety ExecutiveExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Employers and those controlling loading operations are responsible for identifying risks, implementing effective controls and reviewing them.
Stated by Health and Safety ExecutiveRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin
Concerns raised2
Failure to clearly mark bale chutes for visibility on public highways
Failure to keep bale chutes in the raised position during public-road travel
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Includes failures in safety guidance, planning, loading, securing, equipment positioning, conspicuity and operational controls specifically governing agricultural bale handling and transport, including stacking or unstacking bales, loading and strapping trailers, and transporting bale chutes or comparable attachments on public roads.
