Level I Inspection Procedure Step 21 - Inspect Rear of Trailer (Cargo Securement in Van Trailer)

In the current CVSA NASI Level I procedure, cargo securement in a van trailer is checked during step 21 (Inspect Rear of Trailer). Because the cargo is checked during this step, the driver is required to exit the cab of the truck one more time during the inspection. This increases the drivers and inspectors exposure to dangers associated with roadside traffic stop. The driver is exposed to traffic an extra time during the procedure and the inspector has another interaction with the driver that could be eliminated. Because the driver has to exit the cab and walk to the back of the van trailer to open the doors and then return to the cab it increases the amount of time it takes to complete the inspection. If inspecting cargo could be performed after step 36 or during step 37, the driver would already be out of the vehicle and could easily check the cargo as you go around the vehicle explaining the results of the inspection.

By making this change it would reduce the number of times the driver is exposed to dangers associated with a roadside stop. It also decreases the number of times the inspector has to manage the driver while they are outside the cab of the vehicle.

One option would be to continue to check cargo in van trailer in step 21 with the option to check cargo after step 36. Another option would be to remove checking cargo in a van trailer from step 21 and moving to after step 36.