This guide is part of a series of loading guides that provide tips and tricks to help you understand good load restraint. More detailed information on the principles covered by this guide can be found on page 218 of the Load Restraint Guide 2018.

What is lashing angle?

Lashing angle is the angle between the lashing and the vehicle’s loading deck. The lashing angle affects the number of lashings required, which can be calculated using tables in the load restraint guide.

In tie-down restraint the aim is to increase the lashing angle to increase the clamping force (pre-tension) on the load.

In direct restraint the aim is to keep the angle low and in the direction of the movement.

Why is lashing angle important?

When designing a load restraint system, understanding the lashing angle and the affect it has on the force applied by the lashing is very important. It will assist you in determining the number of lashings required to safely restrain the load.

Tie-down method

In the tie-down restraint method, a poor angle effect might require you to add additional lashings to increase the clamping force to prevent the load from moving. In the table to below you can see a lashing at 90° is 100% efficient and will provide maximum clamping force to the load.

As the angle decreases, so does the effect it has on the clamping force. Example, one lashing at 90° provides the same clamping force as four lashing at 15°.

Table: Tie-down angle effect

Approximate angle	Tie-down angle effect	Tie-down effectiveness
90°	1.00	100%
60°	0.85	85%
45°	0.70	70%
30°	0.50	50%
15°	0.25	25%

Direct attachment

When calculating the angle effect for direct attachment it’s important to note that the more vertical the lashings, the less effective they are in providing horizontal restraint. This is the opposite to the tie-down method. When using direct attachment, a poor angle effect might require the use of higher capacity lashings or even additional lashings to correctly restrain the load.

As the lashings become more vertical, they become less effective in providing horizontal restraint.

Example, the working capacity of a 3.8 tonne rated chain angled at 25° is reduced to 2.85 tonne. The same chain angled at 60° is reduced to 1.90 tonne. Also, the capacity of lashings that pass over sharp edges like coaming rails, is reduced by a further 25%.

Table: Direct attachment angle effect

Approximate angle	Direct lashing angle effect	Direct lashing effectiveness
25°	0.90	90%
30°	0.86	86%
45°	0.70	70%
60°	0.50	50%

How do I measure lashing angle?

Tie-down method

One of the simplest methods for measuring the angle effect in tie-down is to use an app on your smart phone. Some companies produce small credit card templates the that fit in your wallet. You could also use a spirit level with built in angle indicator.

Regardless of the method, compare the lashing angle to the tables in the load restraint guide to calculate how many restraints are required.

Direct attachment

Measuring lashing angle for direct attachment is a little more complicated. There are a number of measurements needed in order to do the calculations for direct attachment.

Read the example below for the simple rule and then read the case studies 5, 6 and 7 in the load restraint guide for larger equipment such as plant.

Additionally training providers and engineers that specialise in load restraint can assist with loading plans and advice on compliance.

Lashing angles, direct attachment, and the simple rule.

The example to below is known as the simple rule in direct attachment and can be found on page 219 of the load restraint guide. It is less accurate and makes some assumptions that may be incorrect.

In this example it assumes the lashings are angled at less than 60° to the appropriate direction of movement. However, lashings used in this way will in most cases be stronger than necessary.

Lashing Angle Poster (PDF, 716KB)

The tips below are available as a poster that can be printed out and displayed in your workplace or placed in loading manuals as a quick reference.

Tips

Lashing angle affects the clamping force and the capacity of the restraint system.

As the lashing angle diminishes so does the angle effect, meaning more lashings or higher pre-tension devices are required.

As the lashing angle increases so does the angle effect. Less lashings are required.

Risks

Good practice

With direct restraint the steeper the lashing angles the less effective the lashing becomes.

Lowering the lashing angle increases the effectiveness of the lashing.

Risks

Good practice

Shallow lashing angles provide less forward and backward restraint.

Increasing the lashing angle improves the ability of the restraint system to control forwards, sideways and backwards movement.

Risks

Good practice

Narrow side angle lashings provide less sideway restraint. Crossing over lashings provides the best of both worlds or in this case all directions.

Risks

Good practice