Imagine the result ARCADIS DOT Program Commercial Motor Vehicles Imagine the result

Part 7: Load Securement

Imagine the result General Load Securement Requirements Loads in CMVs are to be evenly distributed, and properly secured - Loads can’t obscure driver vision of front and sides of vehicle, keep emergency equipment from being readily accessible, keep cab exit doors from being functional, or interfere with the free movement of the driver’s arms or legs - Securement devices must be in good operable condition Loads must be prevented from moving or shifting - Small amounts of shifting may be allowed if it does not undermine securing devices or cause the vehicle to become unstable

Imagine the result General Load Securement Requirements Securing devices, like tiedowns, tarpaulins, blocking, etc. must also be secured when not in use and in good operational condition Place heavy articles in the front of the truck or trailer bed or over axles - Approximately 60% of the cargo weight should be in the front half of the bed - Placing the load on the rear of the bed/trailer can cause stability and handling issues that might impair safe operation or undermine the securing device

Imagine the result Three Ways to Transport Cargo Fully contained - cargo is restrained against movement by being contained by a structure of adequate strength to protect against movement Immobilized by structures - cargo is immobilized by structures or a combination of structures, blocking, and bracing to prevent movement Immobilized or secured on the vehicle - cargo is secured by use of tiedowns, blocking, bracing, friction mats, other cargo, void fillers, etc.

Imagine the result The Cargo Securement System Used Must Withstand... Forward force - 80% of cargo weight when braking while driving straight ahead Rearward force - 50% of cargo weight when accelerating, shifting gears, climbing hills or braking in reverse Sideways force - 50% of cargo weight when turning, changing lanes, or braking while turning Upward force - 20% of cargo weight when traveling over bumps in road or cresting a hill unless the cargo is fully contained within the structure of the vehicle

Imagine the result Tiedowns Defined A tiedown is a combination of securing devices that forms an assembly that: Attaches cargo to or restrains cargo on a vehicle or trailer - or - Is attached to anchor point(s) There are two basic types: Direct tiedowns which attach directly to the cargo Indirect tiedowns which pass over or through the cargo There are many types (including but not limited to): Chain Synthetic strapping Rope Wire Rope Steel Strapping

Imagine the result Are There Rules for Tiedowns? Yes. For cargo not prevented from moving forward, the number of tiedowns required is based on size and weight of the cargo Edge protection to protect tiedowns required if cargo could cut or damage the tiedown This is minimum number required! ≤ 5 ft in length ≤ 1,100 pounds 1 tiedown ≤ 5 ft in length ≥ 1,100 pounds 2 tiedowns ≥ 5- ≤ 10 ft in length regardless of weight 2 tiedowns ≥ 10 ft in length 3 tiedowns (add 1 tiedown for each additional 10 ft of length) Cargo Not Prevented from Moving Forward Cargo is:

Imagine the result What if the Cargo is Prevented from Moving Forward? If the cargo is prevented from moving forward, fewer number of tiedowns are required Weight and size of the object is not a factor for number of tiedowns required Same edge protection requirements 1 tiedown for every 10 ft of length or part thereof Cargo Prevented from Moving Forward Any Cargo:

Imagine the result Blocking and Bracing Blocking and bracing used must be able to withstand being split or crushed by the cargo If wood is used: - Select a seasoned hardwood - Wood should be free of knots, rot or decay, knotholes, and splits - The grain should run lengthwise If securing blocking to truck or trailer deck: - Use new nails - Nails should penetrate deck at least 1¼ inches - Nails should be hammered in perpendicular to the deck

Imagine the result What if the Cargo Projects Over the Edge of the Truck or Trailer? Projected loads off of the side or rear of the CMV must be flagged with fluorescent red or orange flag(s) 18 inches square: ≥4 inches off the side of a CMV and load is less than 2 ft wide - 1 flag required ≥4 feet off the rear of a CMV and load is less than 2 ft wide - 1 flag required 2 flags required if projecting load is ≥ 2 feet wide (place indicating load width)

Imagine the result Examples... > 4 ft TN Semi > 2 ft 18” Square Red or Orange Fluorescent Color

Imagine the result Rules for Other Types of Securement Requirements for other types of securement methods can be found in: A copy of this document is located on the DOT Program Page of APEX. Download This is a large file (23.8 MB). It will take time to open! Acrobat.pdf

Imagine the result Are There Cargo Inspection Requirements? Yes. Cargo and securement devices must be inspected and adjusted, as necessary, by the driver: - Before starting to drive the cargo - Within first 50 miles of the trip Reexamination of cargo and securement devices by the driver is required: - At change of duty status; - The CMV is driven for 3 hours - or - - The CMV is driven for 150 miles, whichever comes first

Imagine the result Conclusion Review the Procedure Word.docx Review FAQs Word.docx Review the Fact Sheets Multiple Documents