Hauling an unsecured load may have serious consequences. Do you want to risk a traffic citation (which could affect insurance premiums)? Could your company survive the litigation of a potentially fatal accident?

Trucks, trailers and loads that weigh 10,000 pounds or more are considered commercial motor vehicles under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and must comply with its regulations, including having U.S. Department of Transportation markings on the truck, stopping at roadside inspection stations and more—including properly securing cargo.

• Components used to secure cargo must be in proper working order with no damaged or weakened components that could adversely affect their performance (i.e., no damaged chains or frayed web straps).
• Cargo must be firmly immobilized or secured on or within a vehicle by structures, such as tiedowns. Cargo that’s likely to roll must be restrained by chocks, wedges, a cradle or other equivalent means to prevent rolling.
• Understand the aggregate working load limit of tiedowns (see Step 2) and the minimum number of tiedowns. You need one tiedown for articles 5 feet or less in length and 1,100 pounds or less in weight. Two tiedowns are required if the article is 5 feet or less in length and more than 1,100 pounds in weight or if it’s greater than 5 feet but less than 10 feet, regardless of weight.

Step 1: Inspect the tiedowns for damage and dispose of any damaged chain or web straps.

Step 2: Understand the working load limit of your tiedowns. New web straps bear a tag that shows the working load limit (WLL).

Step 3: Consider making load securement as easy as possible with ready-to-go tiedown kits made for equipment with wheels (such as Fastrap), so employees don’t get lax. DOT places the responsibility for load securement on the person in control of the loaded vehicle when it leaves a property.

Illustrations: Fiverr.com/artist_team

Sources: Professional Landcare Network Safety Sense newsletter; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; “Securing the Load,” Purdue Extension