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Driver's Handbook on Cargo Securement - Chapter 13: Large Boulders

What Does This Section Cover?

The requirements in this section apply to any piece of natural, irregularly shaped rock that:

Weighs more than 5,000 kg (11,000 lb.) or has a volume greater than two cubic meters

Is transported on an open vehicle or in a vehicle whose sides are not designed and rated for the transportation of boulders.

Boulders weighing less than 5,000 kg (11,000 lb.) may be secured in one of two ways:

1. Using the requirements for large boulders (this section)

2. In some situations, using the general cargo securement requirements (Section 2) if:

  • Transported in a vehicle designed to carry boulders.
  • Boulders are stabilized and adequately secured by tiedowns.
Rock that is formed or cut to shape and has a stable base can be secured:

Either by the requirements for large boulders.

Or by the requirements for general cargo

Positioning Boulders

Requirements

Place each boulder on the vehicle with its flattest and/or largest side down.

Support each boulder on at least two pieces of hardwood blocking (at least 10 cm x 10 cm (4 x 4 in) that extend the full width of the boulder.

Place hardwood blocking pieces as symmetrically as possible under the boulder so they support at least 3/4 of the length of the boulder.

Requirements

If the flattest side of the boulder is rounded or partially rounded, place the boulder in a crib made of hardwood fixed to deck of vehicle.

Boulder should rest on both deck and timber, with at least 3 well-separated points of contact that prevent rolling in any direction.

If a boulder is tapered, point the narrowest end towards the front of the vehicle.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

Review Questions - Click On The Picture To Begin...

When loading and securing a boulder, it should be:
  • All of these are requirements.
  • Placed on symmetrical hardwood blocking that extends 3/4 of the length of the boulder.
  • Supported on at least 2 pieces of 4in x 4in hardwood blocking, extending the full width of the boulder.
  • Placed on the vehicle with its largest or flattest side down.

Quote From The CDL Manual:

Requirements

Place each boulder on the vehicle with its flattest and/or largest side down.

Support each boulder on at least two pieces of hardwood blocking (at least 10 cm x 10 cm (4 x 4 in) that extend the full width of the boulder.

Place hardwood blocking pieces as symmetrically as possible under the boulder so they support at least 3/4 of the length of the boulder.

Next
Specific securement methods are required for boulders that:
  • Weigh more than 11,000 lbs, or have a volume of more than 2 cubic meters.
  • Weigh more than 5,000 lbs, or have a volume of more than 4 cubic meters.
  • Weigh more than 5,000 lbs, or have a volume of more than 1.25 cubic meters.
  • Have more than five distinct sides.

Quote From The CDL Manual:

The requirements in this section apply to any piece of natural, irregularly shaped rock that:

Weighs more than 5,000 kg (11,000 lb.) or has a volume greater than two cubic meters

Is transported on an open vehicle or in a vehicle whose sides are not designed and rated for the transportation of boulders.

Prev
Next
To prevent rolling, how many points of contact are required, at minimum, for a boulder resting on a rounded or partially rounded side?
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Quote From The CDL Manual:

Requirements

If the flattest side of the boulder is rounded or partially rounded, place the boulder in a crib made of hardwood fixed to deck of vehicle.

Boulder should rest on both deck and timber, with at least 3 well-separated points of contact that prevent rolling in any direction.

Prev
Next
The narrowest end of a boulder should be pointed:
  • Towards the sky.
  • It doesn't matter.
  • Towards the rear of the vehicle.
  • Towards the front of the vehicle.

Quote From The CDL Manual:

If a boulder is tapered, point the narrowest end towards the front of the vehicle.

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Page 148:
Securement Of Roll-On/Roll-Off and Hook Containers
Page 149
Page 150:
Cubic And Non-Cubic Boulder Securement

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