Form library · Health and safety
Loading unloading checklist
For people coordinating loading and unloading operations. Record task and responsibilities, before movement and completion and release. Try the form below, see every question or download a blank PDF or Word copy.
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What risks should loading arrangements address?
HSE guidance covers segregation, stable vehicles, suitable load distribution, equipment and preventing premature movement during loading or unloading. Assess the actual load, site and people involved.
Last updated . Facts checked by the SiteSurvey team on 6 October 2026 against HSE loading and unloading and HSE workplace transport safety.
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Want to see one filled in? See a completed loading and unloading check report (PDF), made by SiteSurvey from a fictional site visit.
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Your team completes the loading and unloading check on site in the SiteSurvey app on iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets. The project name and address fill in for them, it works without signal, and it syncs when the device is back online with photos kept against the question they answer.
Customers and subcontractors do not need the app: send them a link and they can fill it in from any browser.
Every question in the loading and unloading check template
A loading and unloading readiness record covering vehicle position, segregation, load information, equipment, communication and controlled departure. 5 sections and 38 questions. Follow-up questions and guidance appear only when an answer calls for them, so the person on site never sees the ones that do not apply.
Make it your own: every question is editable
This is a starting point, not a fixed form. Once it is in your SiteSurvey account you can reword any question, add or remove questions, sections and answer options, and add your own logo, so it fits the way your team works and the jobs you do.
Details you only enter once
Add this form to a project in SiteSurvey and it fills in what the project already knows, so nobody on site retypes it and every form on the job uses the same names. Anything filled in can still be changed.
- Project: the project name
- Site or premises address: the site address, from the space or the project
- Client or organisation: the project's customer
Record details and scope
- ProjectShort answer
Filled in from the project in SiteSurvey.
Fills in from the project name - Site or premises addressShort answerFills in from the site address, from the space or the project
- Client or organisationShort answerFills in from the project's customer
- Record date*Date
- Person completing the record*Short answer
- CheckThis is a task readiness check, not a lift plan, dangerous-goods declaration, load-restraint design or automatic permission to move a vehicle.
- CheckHSE guidance covers segregation, stable vehicles, suitable load distribution, equipment and preventing premature movement during loading or unloading. Assess the actual load, site and people involved.
Task and responsibilities
- Load, vehicle/trailer and bay reference*Short answer
- Driver, loading lead and equipment operators*Short answer
- Risk assessment and agreed loading method*Short answer
- Load mass, dimensions and handling information*Short answer
Before movement
- Area segregated and uninvolved people clear*Choose one
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- Action, limitation or reason not applicable*NotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Ground, bay and vehicle deck condition checked*Choose one
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- Action, limitation or reason not applicable*NotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Vehicle brakes, stabilisers and movement prevention arranged*Choose one
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- Action, limitation or reason not applicable*NotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Handling equipment and load compatibility confirmed*Choose one
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- Action, limitation or reason not applicable*NotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Driver waiting place and communication agreed*Choose one
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- Action, limitation or reason not applicable*NotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Loading sequence and safe unloading considered*Choose one
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- Action, limitation or reason not applicable*NotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
Completion and release
- Separate load security check referenceShort answer
- Damage, instability or other concernsNotes
Describe a change or exception from the agreed plan and the resulting hold or review. Keep the observation separate from departure authority.
- Departure status*Choose one
- Held
- Ready for authorised departure review
- Hold reason and responsible person*NotesShown when “Departure status” is “Held”
- Departure authority, person and timeShort answer
- Load and area evidencePhotos
Actions and review
- Are further actions required?*Choose one
- Yes
- No
- Further actionRepeat for each further action. Each one asks:Shown when “Are further actions required?” is “Yes”
- Action and evidence reference*Notes
- Person responsible*Short answer
- Target dateDate
- Action status*Choose one
- Open
- In progress
- Completed
- Completion evidence*NotesShown when “Action status” is “Completed”
- Outstanding limitations and information to pass onNotes
- Record status*Choose one
- Ready for review
- Further work needed
- Work or use stopped
- Reviewed byShort answer
- Review dateDate
- Author signature*Signature
- CheckSigning records the information entered. It does not itself certify legal compliance, remove a limitation or authorise unsafe work.
Scope and responsibility
This is a task readiness check, not a lift plan, dangerous-goods declaration, load-restraint design or automatic permission to move a vehicle.
What a useful entry looks like
Damage, instability or other concerns
Describe a change or exception from the agreed plan and the resulting hold or review. Keep the observation separate from departure authority.
Load configuration differs from the recorded plan. The change has been referred to the responsible person before the release decision.
Fictional example of record wording. Use the actual evidence and approved arrangements for your job; this is not a completed report or an instruction to carry out the work.
See it filled in
A completed loading and unloading check report, made by SiteSurvey from a fictional site visit: every answer, the photos, the guidance that applied and the sign-off, ready to send as a PDF.
Loading and Unloading Check FAQs
How should I record “Damage, instability or other concerns”?
Describe a change or exception from the agreed plan and the resulting hold or review. Keep the observation separate from departure authority.
Does this calculate a safe lifting capacity?
No. Use the applicable equipment information and separate lifting plan where needed.
How is premature departure prevented?
Record the agreed site control and communication; this form does not interlock the vehicle.
Does the departure status authorise driving?
No. The responsible people must complete the actual release and load-security process.
What are the limits of this template?
This is a task readiness check, not a lift plan, dangerous-goods declaration, load-restraint design or automatic permission to move a vehicle.
Can I complete this form on site and share the record?
In the SiteSurvey app the form works offline, with photos and signatures recorded against the questions. Share the completed record as a PDF or a link. Dates and action owners are recorded fields; this form does not send reminders or update other systems.
Related
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An HGV walkaround record covering vehicle and trailer identification, driver checks, defect reporting, restrictions and authorised rectification references.
A trailer walkaround record covering identification, coupling, braking connections, wheels, lights, bodywork, loading and defect reporting.
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