| Load Securement Notice - August 2004 |
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| Tiedowns sharing anchor point |
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Two individual tiedowns may share one anchor point on a piece of cargo (normally seen on equipment), or one anchor point on a vehicle, as long as the anchor point meets the performance standards of Federal Regulations, Part 393.102.
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| Single chain as two tiedowns |
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A single chain may be used as two tiedowns when the chain acts independently on each side of the cargo. Each side of the tiedown must have two attachment points, and an adjustment mechanism.
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| Indirect tiedown systems |
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Per new guidance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Working Load Limit assigned to a tiedown depends on whether the tiedown is indirect securement or direct securement.
Indirect Securement: The tiedown goes from an anchor point on the vehicle, through, over, or around the cargo and then attaches to another anchor point on the vehicle.
The assigned Working Load Limit is the entire limit noted in Federal Regulations, Part 393.108, or marked on the cargo securement device.
The assigned Working Load Limit of all tiedowns must be at least one-half times the weight of the article or group of articles being secured.
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| Direct tiedown systems |
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Per new guidance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Working Load Limit assigned to a tiedown depends on whether the tiedown is indirect securement or direct securement.
Direct Securement: The tiedown goes from an anchor point on the vehicle to an attachment point on an article of cargo.
The assigned Working Load Limit is one-half the limit noted in Federal Regulations, Part 393.108, or one-half the Working Load Limit marked on the cargo securement device.
The assigned Working Load Limit of all tiedowns must be at least one-half times the weight of the article or group of articles being secured.
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| More about load securement |
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Rules
Load securement rules apply to trucks, truck tractors, semitrailers, full trailers, and pole trailers. Each commercial motor vehicle must, when transporting cargo on public roads, be loaded and equipped, and the cargo secured, to prevent it from leaking, spilling, blowing or falling from the vehicle. Cargo must also be contained, immobilized or secured to prevent shifting upon or within the vehicle to such an extent that the vehicle´s stability or maneuverability is adversely affected. The rules are spelled out in Federal Regulations, Parts 393.100 through 393.136.
For a guide to the rules, check the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Driver's Handbook on Cargo Securement
Background
New cargo load securement rules took effect on January 1, 2004. The comprehensive federal regulations, which were originally announced in December 2002, arise from years of research and the evaluation of U.S. and Canadian regulations, trucking industry best practices, and recommendations presented during a series of public meetings with industry experts, enforcement officials, and interested parties.
Read the final rules regarding Development of a North American Standard for Protection Against Shifting and Falling Cargo.
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