1. Fundamentals of Cargo Securement
Guiding Principle of Cargo Securement
What?
Cargo being transported on the highway must remain secured on or within
the transporting vehicle.
When?
The cargo must remain secured on or in the transporting vehicle:
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Under all conditions that could reasonably be expected to occur in normal
driving.
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When a driver is responding in all emergency situations, EXCEPT when
there is a crash.
Why?
An improperly secured load can result in:
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Issuance of citations/fines to driver/carrier
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The vehicle being placed Out-of-Service.
North American Cargo Securement Standard
What does the Standard cover? (Section 1.1)
Vehicles
Gross Vehicle Rating = Greater Than 4,500 kg (10, 000 lb.)
Cargo
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Any cargo and dangerous goods/hazardous materials, including:
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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.
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 require of the driver and carrier? (Section 2.3)
The following conditions must exist before a driver can operate a commercial
motor vehicle and a carrier can require or permit a driver to operate
a commercial motor vehicle.
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The commercial motor vehicle's cargo must be properly distributed and adequately secured.
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The commercial motor vehicle's structure and equipment must be secured:
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Other equipment used in the vehicle's operation
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Cargo securing equipment.
- The cargo or any other object must not:
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Obscure the driver's view ahead or to the right or left sides (except
for drivers of self-steer dollies).
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Interfere with the free movement of the driver's arms or legs.
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Prevent the driver's free and ready access to accessories required for
emergencies. OR
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Prevent the free and ready exit of any person from the commercial motor
vehicle's cab or driver's compartment.
North American Cargo Securement Standard
What does the Standard require of the cargo? (Section 1.2)
Securement Options
All cargo must be contained, immobilized, or secured.
How Well Must Cargo be Secured?
So that it does not:
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Otherwise become dislodged from the vehicle
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Shift upon or within the vehicle to such an extent that the vehicle's stability or maneuverability is adversely affected.
No rolling, tipping, sliding, or falling from vehicle.
There can be some movement if it doesn't reduce the effectiveness of
the securement system.
North American Cargo Securement Standard
How well must the securement system work? (Section 1.3)
Each cargo securement system must be able to withstand a minimum amount
of force in each direction.
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Forward Force = 80% of cargo weight when braking while driving straight ahead.
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Rearward Force = 50% of cargo weight when accelerating, shifting gears while climbing
a hill, or braking in reverse.
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Sideways Force = 50% of cargo weight when turning, changing lanes, or braking while
turning.
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Upward Force = 20% of cargo weight when traveling over bumps in the road or cresting
a hill.
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This requirement is satisfied when the cargo is "Fully Contained."
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