RESOURCE - Load Security Manual

Mon, 2012-07-02 20:55 - DriveSmartBC

Ratchet StrapThe Driver's Handbook on Cargo Securement is a guide to the North American cargo securement standard. While it is meant for commercial vehicle drivers it is equally useful to the drivers of light vehicles as well. Load security serves three purposes: keeping the load securely attached to the vehicle carrying it, preventing an escaping load from harming others and preventing an escaping load from harming the occupants of the vehicle carrying it.

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Comments

What about carrying vehicles?

CompetentDrivingBC - 2020/08/05 - 13:26

I was thinking about this the other day, as I drove west along Marine in North Vancouver. In the adjacent (right hand) lane was a Unitow flatbed truck, carrying a late model Cadillac SUV with no plates on it, looked pretty new. Probably going from one dealership to another, is my guess.

The driver who had loaded the vehicle had anchored the front and rear wheels in the usual manner, using those straps; but every time he braked for something ahead such as a red light, the vehicle would roll forward a few inches along the bed of the truck; once he accelerated away again (and this was not a smooth driver, I have to say) the vehicle would then roll back again, until the straps stopped the movement.

So, the stupid bugger who loaded it up and was now driving it along the road:

  • Failed to put the vehicle in Park
  • Failed to apply the vehicle's Parking Brake
  • Failed to use any blocks at the wheels (they were available right there on his vehicle)
  • Failed to use any end straps as a backup for the wheel straps

All in the name of efficiency, I guess? I sure wouldn't call that company if I had an expensive vehicle to transport somewhere.

And yet, after looking (quite quickly) through that handbook on load securement, I'm not seeing anything specific to this situation; it appears that (so long as the vehicle doesn't fall off), the driver has met the requirements - even though he obviously could, and should have, secured that load far better than he had bothered to attempt.

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