OOSC, Part II, Item 2. Coupling Devices, f. Safety Devices, (4)
| Entry Date | November 8, 2011 |
|---|---|
| Issue Number | 11-059-VEH |
| Name | Warren Reynolds |
| Agency | Ontario Ministry of Transportation |
| Address | 3rd Floor, 301 St. Paul StreetSt. Catharines, ON, L2R 7R4CanadaMap It (opens in a new tab) |
| Phone | 905-704-2168 |
| [email protected] | |
| Committee | Vehicle Committee |
| Status | Closed |
| Summary of Issue | Our enforcement officers have found U-Haul using a quick link to attach trailer safety chains (see attached picture). These quick links are not marked by the manufacturer in respect of the WLL. Section 2.f.(4) of the OOS criteria for Safety Devices direct us to use the criterion in the "Securement of Cargo-Tiedown Defect Table" to determine if any safety chain is defective. The Tiedown Defect table shows that a quick link is "prohibited for all applications" U-Haul has provided the attached documentation indicating they have done performance testing and the quick link has a breaking strength of 8,541 lbs. U-Haul had indicated that this quick link is being used across North America and had no other problems except in B.C. but that B.C. had accepted the testing. (see letter) |
| Justification or Need | The concern is whether the use of the Tiedown Defect table is appropriate for safety chains. Why are quick links excluded as either a repair link or connector. If the quick-link was rated and marked by the manufacturer, would it be acceptable to be used for both safety chains and tiedowns. |
| Request for Action | I require a decision as to whether the use of the U-Haul quick-link is acceptable to attach safety chains as displayed in the attached picture. |