People in the trades need to ensure that their loads are secured safely, after the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched a new campaign.
The Load Safety initiative has warned builders liability insurance holders that even if loads are packed carefully, if they are not secured and shifts in transit then they can present a risk on the road.
Spilled loads can lead to road closures, causing significant delays and congestion for other people and trades.
The dangers also extend to employees, with firms being told that sending someone onto the trailer bed puts them at risk of falling off.
Advice from the HSE stated that many falls from vehicles occur during the loading and unloading process.
Builders liability insurance holders have also been told that a badly-loaded lorry or van could roll, causing damage to goods, the vehicle and other cars on the road.
Last month, the Derby Telegraph reported that Ascot Drive was closed for five hours after a lorry spilled five tonnes of glass.