Proper Cargo Securement of Fruit Bins

Background Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) new cargo securement rules, January 1, 2004 Letter to FMCSA from WSP seeking guidance as to proper method of securement of fruit bins FMCSA response in conjunction with decision on New Mexico chili pepper issue

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations pertaining to cargo securement CFR …cargo must be secured to prevent load from leaking, spilling, blowing or falling from the motor vehicle. CFR – Securement systems must provide a downward force equivalent to at least 20% of the weight of the article of cargo… CFR – Cargo must be firmly immobilized or secured on or within a vehicle… CFR the minimum number of tiedowns required to secure an article, or group of articles against movement depends on the length of the article.

Current Method of Fruit Bin Securement 3/8 inch wire cable that criss- crosses at the front and rear of the load.

Current Method of Fruit Bin Securement (cont.) Cable hooked to corner iron then to side of load.

New Fruit Bin Securement Method - Option 1 Continue to use 3/8 inch cable criss-crossed in front and rear with cable running the length of the top row of bins. In addition, one tiedown for every 10 feet of article length or fraction thereof (with headerboard).

New Fruit Bin Securement Method - Option 1 One extra tiedown within the first ten feet if no headerboard or bulkhead. 3/8 inch cable

New Fruit Bin Securement Method - Option 2 Without 3/8 inch cable configuration, you will need tiedowns on every stack of bins (with headerboard).

New Fruit Bin Securement Method – Option 2 Tiedowns on every stack of bins. One extra tiedown on first stack (without headerboard).

Fruit Bin Securement Method - Loaded Tiedown every 10 feet; plus Tiedown over each 3-high stack of bins; plus 3/8 inch cable longitudinal securement

Front End Structure (Headerboard) CFR feet high Width of the vehicle Strength – Ability to block forward movement of article of cargo equal to one half (1/2) of the weight of the article. Additional information – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website:

WSP Fruit Bin Securement Enforcement Present through July 31, 2006 – Educational period (No citations/no warnings). August 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006 – Warnings only (Repeat violators – Stricter enforcement) January 1, 2007 – Normal enforcement (Warnings, citations and out-of-service)

Any Questions?

Website Information Website – –Click on “Quick Search Topics” –Click on “Commercial Vehicles” –Click on “Fruit Bin Securement Presentation”

Contact Information WSP Yakima – Lt. Jeff Jones – (509) WSP Headquarters – CVEO 4 John Nicholas – (360)