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Driver's Handbook on Cargo Securement
Chapter 1: Fundamentals of Cargo Securement
Guiding Principle of Cargo Securement:
Cargo being transported on the highway must remain secured on or within the transporting vehicle.
The cargo must remain secured on or in the transporting vehicle:
- Under all conditions that could reasonably be expected to occur in normal driving.
- When a driver is responding in all emergency situations, EXCEPT when there is a crash.
Consequences Of Unsecured Cargo
- Loss of life
- Loss of load
- Damage to the cargo
- Damage to the vehicle
- Issuance of citations/fines to driver/carrier
- The vehicle being placed Out-of-Service.
- A crash
It is assumed that heavy loads carried under special permits would be subject to securement standards contained in the special permit, which may differ from the North American Cargo Securement Standard. Check with your Federal, Provincial, or State government for any permit requirements.
North American Cargo Securement Standard
What does the Standard cover? (Section 1.1)
Vehicles
- Commercial vehicles (including a combination of vehicles) that are operated on a highway and have a gross vehicle rating over 4,500 kg (10,000 lb.)
Cargo
-
Any cargo and dangerous goods/hazardous materials, including:
- All general freight.
- All equipment carried for vehicle operation.
- Intermodal containers and their contents.
- Some specific commodities have additional or different securement requirements (see later sections of this Handbook).
- Additional requirements under separate regulations may also apply for transportation of certain types of dangerous goods or hazardous materials.
Note:
It is assumed that heavy loads carried under special permits would be subject to securement standards contained in the special permit, which may differ from the North American Cargo Securement Standard. Check with your Federal, Provincial, or State government for any permit requirements.
Related Cargo Securement Terms That Every Driver Should Know:
-
Anchor point:
Part of the structure, fitting, or attachment on a vehicle or cargo to which a tiedown is attached.
-
Deck:
The load carrying area of a truck, trailer, or intermodal container.
-
Wedge:
A tapered piece of material, thick at one end and thin at the other, used to help keep cargo from moving.
Multiple-Choice Questions:
Which of the following is not a reason why loads should be secured?
- Make it look pretty
- Avoid fines and citations
- Prevent damage to the cargo
- Prevent loss of load
Why secure your load? To prevent:
- Loss of life
- Loss of load
- Damage to the cargo
- Damage to the vehicle
- Issuance of citations/fines to driver/carrier
- The vehicle being placed Out-of-Service.
- A crash
The load carrying area of a truck, trailer, or intermodal container is referred to as the:
- Bulkhead
- Well
- Deck
- Headboard
Deck:
The load carrying area of a truck, trailer, or intermodal container.
What types of freight need to be secured properly?
- Equipment used for vehicle operation.
- Hazardous materials.
- Intermodal containers.
- All freight should always be properly secured while driving.
-
Any cargo and dangerous goods/hazardous materials, including:
- All general freight.
- All equipment carried for vehicle operation.
- Intermodal containers and their contents.
- Some specific commodities have additional or different securement requirements (see later sections of this Handbook).
- Additional requirements under separate regulations may also apply for transportation of certain types of dangerous goods or hazardous materials.
Cargo
The North American Cargo Securement Standard cover vehicles weighing:
- Over 10,000 lbs
- 26,001 lbs
- Less than 10,000 lbs
- Over 4,500 lbs
North American Cargo Securement Standard
What does the Standard cover? (Section 1.1)
- Commercial vehicles (including a combination of vehicles) that are operated on a highway and have a gross vehicle rating over 4,500 kg (10,000 lb.)
Vehicles
In cargo securement, a wedge is defined as:
- A rail along the side of a vehicle that protects the side of the vehicle from impacts.
- The depression formed between two cylindrical articles when they are laid with their eyes horizontal and parallel against each other.
- A tapered piece of material, thick at one end and thin at the other, used to help keep cargo from moving.
- A short piece of material, usually wood, nailed to the deck to reinforce blocking.
Wedge:
A tapered piece of material, thick at one end and thin at the other, used to help keep cargo from moving.
An anchor point is defined as:
- A vertical barrier across the front of the deck of a vehicle to prevent forward movement of cargo.
- The load carrying area of a truck, trailer, or intermodal container.
- A rail along the side of a vehicle that protects the side of the vehicle from impacts.
- Part of the structure, fitting, or attachment on a vehicle or cargo to which a tiedown is attached.
Anchor point:
Part of the structure, fitting, or attachment on a vehicle or cargo to which a tiedown is attached.
Complete!
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