OOSC, Part II, Item 2. Cargo Securement, Dunnage, Chocks, Cradles, Shoring bars, Blocking and Bracing
| Entry Date | February 13, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Issue Number | 21-006-VEH |
| Name | Matthew J Meyers |
| Agency | New York State Police |
| Address | 1220 Washington AveAlbany, New York, 12226United StatesMap It (opens in a new tab) |
| Phone | 518-457-3258 |
| [email protected] | |
| Committee | Vehicle Committee |
| Status | Closed |
| Summary of Issue | Using Wood Blocks with their Short Edge Down. Currently 393.104(d) states Material for dunnage, chocks, cradles, shoring bars, blocking and bracing. Material used as dunnage or dunnage bags, chocks, cradles, shoring bars, or used for blocking and bracing, must not have damage or defects which would compromise the effectiveness of the securement system. But fails to include when blocking is used that “The width of individual spacers must be equal to or greater than the height”. Which is in regulation 393.118d.3.ii as well as mentioned in Chapter 6.4 in the CVSA Practical Cargo Securement Guide but not in any other section that mentions using blocking such as 393.104, 393.120, 393.122, 393.124 and 393.136. |
| Justification or Need | A recent inspection of a load that had a precast form on a flatbed trailer was raised on the ends to compensate for the arc of the trailer. The driver placed the blocking with the narrow ends down. (see the attached pictures) with at least 2 of the blocks being 10” x 4” with the 4” side down on the deck. Although in this case the precast forms were relatively light nothing in the regulations would prohibit the use of blocking with the short edge down on the deck. |
| Request for Action | 393.104 as well as the Defect Table in the CVSA Out of Service Guide needs to be updated to address the use of blocking with the narrow edge down when used for load securement. A suggested change to 393.104 and the defect table in the CVSA Out of Service Guide could be “When blocking is used as part of the load securement the blocking must be placed with the widest side down against the deck of the trailer and up against the load.” And add the picture used in chapter 6.4 of the CVSA Practical Cargo Securement Guide. Blocking should never be placed with the narrow side down and against the load that they are used on. This can create a situation where the blocking can tip or slip out from under the load causing in the loss of the load from the transport vehicle. |