Some of the regulations are beyond belief…
Shotton Steelworks… sit through a 30 minute H&S/ load security induction… then drop the trailer for a shunter to load… Why ■■?
Llanwern… you cant load your own coils, but you can load your own plate… I would have though it should be the other way around, plate being the more challenging deal with, according to their rules 
Still, as they’re paying my wages in a roundabout way, I’ll sit through as much “Training” as they like 
Not done Shotton but have set thru various safety videos. Funny thing is they didn’t mind sending us out 4t overweight tho. Seems to depend which yard you’re loading out of.
Worked for RJ Jones out of cardiff docks for a spell and gotta admit never used chains once. Pulled cut n bent coils prefabricated cages straight bar etc. If you’re unsure of anything ask someone till you’re happy. Take ya time and treat the load with a bit of respect and be fine.
Thanks for all the advice.
Hopefully i will know this week if i have got the job.
I must be mad…leaving an office job to go back on the road! Trouble is the office is as boring as paint drying, the company is looking at swinging the redundancy axe across my department, and the money is pretty poor for the role that i do.
Actually looking forward to getting back driving…
My couple tips are
Always carry plenty of dunnage (timber) and use it to block inbetween packs of sheets .
Look out for old tyre inner tubes and cut them into short strips that you can use under straps or chains to protect the straps or the steel.
Put on enough lashings that you think will hold it on, then add a couple more
Ignore anyone that says “it will be fine as it is- that’s how we have always done it” - load and secure and pack it out it until you are happy
I work for a steel stockholder have done for the past 15 years ,do all steel on slider flex and flat trailers ropes and sheets . 1st things first really load security never b afraid to ask and always use more straps/chains if in doubt.try 2 b as smooth as u can ,take your time ,avoid harsh breaking especially if u are carring sheet.this type of work can b very dangerous so forget about flying about it can be dirty as well .apart from that it’s piece of ■■■■ …enjoy