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OOSC, Part II, Item 2. Cargo Securement - Polyester Straps WLL

Entry DateMarch 28, 2018
Issue Number18-012-VEH
NameMatthew Peck
AgencyNew York State Police
Address1220 Washington Ave, Building 22Albany, New York, 12226-1799United StatesMap It (opens in a new tab)
Phone5184573258
Email[email protected]
CommitteeVehicle Committee
StatusClosed
Summary of Issue

Currently there is no assigned WLL in FMCSR that addresses polyester straps or strapping utilized to secure heavy items to pallets or unitize a load. The attached file from one manufacturer shows an approximate breaking strength of this type of strapping. The Cargo Securement Harmonization sub committee addressed this issue and determined the strapping was adequate if the load in question, transformers, did not shifted.

Justification or Need

Currently, we often see metals coils weighing 4000+ lbs. secured to pallets with two 7/16" wide polyester straps (550 lbs breaking strength according to the manufacturer attached pdf file), then placed on friction mats (attached pictures). The strength of these straps cannot be determined roadside.

Request for Action

We need uniform guidance and / or a standardized WLL table for this strapping. Until a WLL is established under FMCSR, guidance can be as simple as: When utilized to secure objects, unmarked polyester straps or strapping will have a WLL of 50 lbs. for every 1/8 inch of strap width.