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Driver's Handbook on Cargo Securement - Chapter 2: General Cargo Securement Requirements

General Cargo Securement Requirements

Components of a Securement System - Continued

For articles of cargo placed beside each other and secured by side-to-side tiedowns:

Either place them in direct contact with each other,

Or prevent them from shifting towards each other in transit by using blocking or filling the space with other cargo.

Some articles have a tendency to roll. To prevent rolling, provide more than one point of contact:

Lift the cargo off the deck AND/OR

Place chockes, wedges, a cradle, or other equivalent means that prevent rolling. These must be secured to the deck.

The method used to prevent rolling must not become unfastened or loose while the vehicle is in transit.

Prevent tipping or shifting by bracing the cargo.

Immobilizing, and Securing Cargo: Restraining the cargo correctly.

How many tiedowns are required?

If cargo is not prevented from forward movement (for example, by the headboard, bulkhead , other cargo, or tiedown attached to the cargo), secure the cargo according to the following requirements:

• If load is 5ft or shorter, 1,100 lbs or lighter:

  Minimum number of tiedowns: 1

• If load is 5ft or shorter, over 1,100 lbs:

  Minimum number of tiedowns: 2

• If load is more than 5ft but less than 10ft:

  Minimum number of tiedowns: 2

When cargo is prevented from forward movement (for example, by the headboard, bulkhead , other cargo, or tiedown), secure the cargo according to the following requirements:

All Cargo:

1 tiedown for every 10 ft, or part thereof.

Note: A vehicle transporting one or more articles of cargo such as, but not limited to, machinery or fabricated structural items (e.g., steel or concrete beams, crane booms, girders, and trusses, etc.) which, because of their design, size, shape, or weight, must be fastened by special methods.

However, any article of cargo carried on that vehicle must be securely and adequately fastened to the vehicle.

How should tiedowns be attached?

Tiedowns can be used in two ways:

• Attached to the cargo:

  • Tiedowns attached to the vehicle and attached to the cargo.
  • Tiedowns attached to the vehicle, pass through or aroundan article of cargo, and then are attached to the vehicle again.

• Pass over the cargo:

  • Tiedowns attached to the vehicle, passed over the cargo, and then attached to the vehicle again.

Tiedown placement:

Place the tiedown as close as possible to the spacer.

Position the tiedowns as symetrically as possible over the length of the article.

Position the tiedowns to preserve the integrity of the article.