Commercial Driver Handbook ( PDF ) - California Department of ...

Cargo should have two tiedowns in the first 10 feet
of cargo, and one tiedown every 10 feet thereafter.
Make sure you have enough tiedowns to meet this
need. No matter how small the cargo, it should
have at least two tiedowns holding it.
Rules governing the loading and securement of
logs, dressed lumber, metal coils, paper rolls,
concrete pipe, intermodal containers, automobiles,
heavy vehicles, flattened or crushed vehicles,
Roll-On/Roll-Off containers, and large boulders
are contained in the Code of Federal Regulations,
Title 49, §393.
Covering Cargo
There are two basic reasons for covering cargo:
1. To protect people from spilled cargo.
2. To protect the cargo from weather.
Spill protection is a safety requirement in many
states. Be familiar with the laws in the states where
you will be driving.
You should look at your cargo covers in the mirrors
often while driving. A flapping cover can tear loose,
uncovering the cargo and possibly block your view
or someone else’s.
Spilling loads and damage to highway. It is
against the law to operate on the highway a vehicle
which is improperly covered, constructed, or loaded
so that any part of its contents or load spills, drops,
leaks, blows, sifts, or in any other way escapes from
the vehicle. Exception: clear water or feathers from
live birds (CVC §§23114 and 23115).
Any vehicle transporting garbage, trash, rubbish,
ashes, etc., must have the load covered to prevent
any part of the load from spilling on to the highway.
Aggregate material must be carried in the cargo
area of the vehicle and be six inches below the
upper edge. The cargo area must not have any
holes, cracks, or openings which could allow the
material to escape. The vehicle used to transport
aggregate material must be equipped with seals on
any openings used to empty the load, splash flaps
behind every tire or set of tires, and fenders. Other
requirements are listed in CVC §23114. This does
not apply to vehicles carrying wet waste fruit or
vegetable matter, or waste from food processing
plants.
Any person who willfully or negligently damages
any street or highway is liable for the cost of repairing
the road or any sign, signal, guard rail, or other
facility that is damaged. The liability may include
the cost of removing debris from the roadway.
header Boards
Front end header boards (“headache racks”) protect
you from your cargo in case of a collision or
emergency stop. Be sure the front end structure is
in good condition. The front end structure should
block the forward movement of any cargo you carry.
sealed and Containerized loads
Containerized loads generally are used when
freight is carried part way by rail or ship. Delivery
by truck occurs at the beginning and/or end of the
journey. Some containers have their own tiedown
devices or locks that attach directly to a special
frame. Other containers (following the regulations
established by the CHP) have to be loaded onto
flatbed trailers. They are secured with tiedowns
just like any other large cargo. You cannot inspect
sealed loads, but you should check that you do not
exceed gross weight and axle weight limits and
that the seal is not broken.
hAnDlIng OtheR cARgO
Dry bulk tanks require special care because they
often have a high center of gravity and the load can
shift. Be extremely cautious going around curves
and making sharp turns.
hanging meat
Hanging meat suspended in a refrigerated truck
can be a very unstable load with a high center
of gravity. Particular caution is needed on sharp
curves such as offramps and onramps. Go slowly.
livestoCk
Livestock can move around in a trailer. This
shifts the center of gravity and makes rollover
more likely. With less than a full load, use false
bulkheads to keep livestock bunched together. Even
when bunched, special care is necessary because
livestock can lean on curves.
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