By Dan Deary, posted in Phoenix vehicle safety on September 09, 2014
Properly securing your load saves you from damage to your truck, damage or total loss of your load, injury or worse to you the driver and the people around you.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was established on January 1, 2000 within the Department of Transportation. Formerly part of the Federal Highway Administration. FMCSA’s primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related injuries and fatalities. Cargo securement is within this scope of regulation. On September 27, 2002 FMCSA published new cargo securement rules. Motor carriers operating in interstate commerce must comply with these regulations as of January 1, 2004.
This driver is not working within these regulations to adjust and secure his load.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
These rules require motor carriers to change the way they use securing devices to prevent cargo from shifting on or within, or falling from commercial vehicles. The intent of these requirements is to reduce the number of accidents caused by cargo shifting on or within, or falling from, commercial vehicles operating in interstate commerce, and to coordinate to the greatest extent practicable U.S., Canadian, and Mexican cargo securement regulations.
There are many factors on how you must secure your load. To learn more check out these resource:
Cargo Securement Rules:
Driver’s Handbook on Cargo Securement:
Car falling off the back of a Tow Truck.
Although the FMCSA has regulations on securing commercial cargo. It doesn’t mean that the private sector shouldn’t take head to the importance of a properly secured load.
Sink falls out of the back of a truck on the highway.
Just because you have a truck with a tailgate doesn’t mean that the items in the back of the truck are secure. Many factors such as wind, weight, and inertia can affect the load you are carrying which can result in a catastrophic event. So remember to use tie downs when they are needed.
How to Pack a Pickup Truck for Safe Travel.
This BBQ was not properly secured…or secured at all.
As a driver it is important to be aware of what is happening around you. This includes not driving too close to a vehicle that could quite possibly lose their load. Many times things happen so fast you won’t have time to react, in this situation it is best to keep calm, drive safely, and not make yourself a hazard on the road as well.
2×4 flies through a windshield.
Random: this guy is just insane and awesome!
Note: It is the responsibility of each organization to provide its personnel with specific personal safety training.
About the author:
Dan Deary is president of All Pro Truck Body Shop, a truck body repair shop located in Phoenix Arizona, specializing in commercial body shop and fleet painting services.
Sources:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/cargo-securement/cargo-securement-rules