Is Cargo Securement Important?

You may be surprised to learn that the following cargo securement OOS violations account for more than a half of violations on US roads (2014 International Roacheck, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance – CVSA).

1. Failing To Secure Vehicle Equipment
2. Failing To Load/Equip Vehicle To Prevent Load Shifting/Falling
3. Leaking/Spilling/Blowing/Falling Cargo
4. Insufficient Tiedowns; Without Headerboard/Blocking
5. Failing To Secure Load

Surprisingly, these are also the easiest to avoid.  Here is what you need to know about cargo securement. Firstly, there is an assumption that items loaded onto a vehicle will stay on the vehicle until they are ready to be removed. How many times have you seen a service truck, pickup, trailer or semi with loose or badly secured cargo?  It’s easy for a piece of improperly secured cargo to fall off a vehicle and become a hazard to other motorists or pedestrians.

Fleet managers and their companies are responsible for ensuring that items are transported safely. Items that have not been secured property often result in property damage, injury but occasionally also in fatality. Claims from such incidents often go into hundreds of millions dollars each year. These incidents are however, totally preventable.

The 2017 CVSA International Roadcheck, scheduled for June 6-8, focuses particularly on Cargo Securement, to reduce the amount of accidents caused by incorrectly secured shipments.

The Basics Of Cargo Securement

To proactively deal with the impact on operating costs, insurance and liability, transportation companies must implement a cargo securement process which includes training drivers on cargo securement for the specific class of vehicle they operate.

The first step in cargo securement starts with cleanliness.  A clean, tide vehicle projects a positive company image and is associated with higher safety standards on the roads. Take simple steps before your load departs:

• Complete a thorough pre-trip vehicle inspection, including all components and accessories.
• Remove all debris from the vehicle bed or trailer deck. These areas regularly sustain damage from everyday use. Make sure they are always in good repair.
• A key precaution is to secure a vehicle from movement while it is being loaded. The parking brake may be adequate on smaller vehicles while larger vehicles may require parking chalks.
• Ensure the vehicle is correctly sized for larger or bulky items

Cargo Inspection, Securement Devices & Systems

Under FMCSR regulation 392.9, companies and drivers transporting goods are required to:

• Properly distribute and secure cargo
• Secure all vehicle load securement devices (chains, straps, and tarps) and cargo
• Ensure drivers have clear visibility on all sides of the vehicle
• Ensure drivers have free movement of their arms and legs
• Provide driver access to emergency equipment and easy vehicle exit
• Inspect the load and devices to secure the load prior to beginning trip
• Inspect the load within the first 50 miles and adjust load securement devices as needed
• Re-examine the load and securement devices during the trip, adjusting as needed
• Re-examination intervals must occur whenever a change-of-duty status occurs and when the vehicle has been in operation more than three hours or driven 150 miles (whichever occurs first)

States Regulations Of Vehicle Loads and Axle Weights

Remember that individual states may have their own cargo weight restrictions and regulations. It is your company’s responsibility to provide training for your fleet managers and drivers to ensure they have the knowledge about all respective restrictions and regulations for each state their cargo will travel through.

In summary, an improperly loaded vehicle is difficult to operate, can cause excessive wear and poor fuel economy, but most importantly, it can cause damage and injury affecting all parties – companies, drivers, customers, and the motoring public. Visit https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ for full details.

How-To Videos To Help You Secure Cargo Properly

In advance of this year’s CVSA roadchecks, Mid-States Utility Trailers have put together how-to videos to help you and your company secure your cargo correctly, using a range of industry-leading products by Kinedyne. With the correct cargo securement steps, your company can:

• reduce injuries
• reduce delayed deliveries and failed deliveries due to poor cargo securement
• reduce the impact on your company’s insurance rates
• reduce the consequences of a vehicle loss on business operations

Watch Our Cargo Securement How-To Videos

Cargo Securement Products – Special Offers

Mid-States Utility Trailers have also teamed up with Kinedyne to offer a range of cargo securement products at reduced prices, to help you and your company prepare for this year’s CVSA roadchecks. View the full the range of our Kinedyne Cargo Securement Parts Specials below. Place your order by 3pm for next day delivery service. Prices are good until June 8^th, while supplies lasts.

View All Our Cargo Securement Special Offers