Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/634029
48 | Overdrive | February 2016 Tied down Know the cargo securement 'BASIC's C argo securement demands repetitive attention to detail, patience and consistency to earn the trust of customers who expect their products to arrive in good condition. Considering poten- tial litigation and insurance claims resulting from property damage or injury, as well as the close watch of inspectors, and the stakes are even higher. CSA's microscope Three years ago, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration made changes to its Compliance, Safety, Accountability program that affect how open-deck securement is treated. The agency changed the Cargo- Related BASIC (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category) to the Hazardous Materials Compliance BASIC to better identify more haulers with hazardous materials safety and compliance problems. FMCSA also strengthened the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC by including cargo and load securement violations from the previous Cargo- Related BASIC. Under CSA, cargo securement includes a wide array of inspec- tion points and potential violations. Beyond simple unsecured loads, improper flagging can result in a vio- lation. Similarly, a driver transporting hazardous materials can expect to be ticketed for failing to have proper sig- nage or other markings or emergency information on hand. Reefer and van operations aren't off the hook. CSA specifies that inte- rior cargo must be secured against movement in all four directions. "Drivers bear the brunt unless it is a sealed load and the driver is doing a drop and hook," says Bob Dissinger, director of U.S. sales for Kinedyne, a provider of webbing, logistic tracks, captive beams, ratchet straps and winches. If a drop-and-hook trailer is loaded but not sealed, the driver should open the trailer to see the load is secured properly, Dissinger says. On drop- and-hook flatbeds, a driver should check all cargo securement to ensure the proper amount of devices and adequate tightening, he says. In the event a citation is issued, it is entered into the fleet's BASIC. If the ticketing officer determines that the infraction is one the driver could have rectified, a separate violation will be entered into his personal database. Cargo securement laws change reg- ularly at federal, state and local levels, so continuing education is critical in fending off CSA hits. "You really need to monitor and keep up to date on cargo securement rules and regula- tions," Dissinger says. Staying on top As a carrier with a large flatbed oper- ation, Maverick Transportation finds itself under a more intense spotlight Flatbed operations bear the brunt of cargo-related CSA concerns because of the visibility of their loads and secure- ment devices. If a driver fails to secure this type of load with straps or load bars across the back, he will end up with a ticket.