The confusion stems from how Council Regulation EC 3821/85 was enacted in the UK back in 1986.
Under Article 15.3 the use of the different mode switch setting is defined as;
(b) ‘crossed hammers’ all other periods of work
(c) ‘square box’ other periods of availability namely;
- waiting time, i.e the period during which drivers need remain at their posts only for the purpose of answering any calls to start or resume driving or to carry out other work.
- time spent beside the driver whilst the vehicle is in motion.
- time spent on a bunk whilst the vehicle is in motion.
Article 15.4 says; ’ Each member state may permit all the periods referred to in Paragraph 3 second indent (b) (crossed hammers) and (c) (square box) may be recorded under the sign ‘square box’ on the record sheets used on vehicles registered in its territory.
All the suggestion under RTD is that we revert to the original use of the mode switch under 15.3;
crossed hammers = work eg physical loading/unloading, fuelling, washing the vehicle, paperwork etc.
square box = time spent on duty, when not working and not able to freely dispose of you time (the definition of ‘rest’) eg periods of availablility, sitting in the passenger seat of a double manned vehicle.
What Penfold said about using the bed symbol to record loading/unloading is correct,. Provided that you take no part in the process and are free to walk away and go and get a coffee/ bacon butty etc.