Securing Loads and Cargo

DRV-9.2

If a load of cargo falls off a vehicle, it can damage the cargo itself, the vehicle carrying it, or other property. Worst of all, dropped loads can injure or kill drivers or passengers in other vehicles. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates that approximately 50,000 automobile crashes every year can be attributed to road debris, including material from unsecured or improperly secured loads. The North American Cargo Securement Standard, created by the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), establishes procedures for securing loads during transit on highways in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Learners who successfully complete this course should be able to recognize requirements of the standard and other cargo regulations, and identify approved securement systems and their characteristics. Learners should also be able to identify recommended practices for loading and transporting cargo, and recognize requirements for cargo inspections.