Loss Prevention
Load Securement for Fleet Vehicles
Secure every load properly to prevent public injury, cargo loss and DOT violations.
6 min Frank Marlow Reviewed by Rachel Kim, CHST, CSP v1.0 · reviewed 2026-08-05
The Problem
Unsecured loads cause public injury lawsuits, DOT fines, and lost or damaged material.
Root Causes
- Straps and chains not inspected before use
- Working load limit exceeded
- No corner protectors on sharp edges
Correct Procedure
- 1Inspect every strap, chain and binder before loading
- 2Verify the aggregate working load limit exceeds 50% of load weight
- 3Use corner protectors and secure loose items in tool boxes
- 4Re-tighten binders within 50 miles of the start
- 5Cover dust-generating loads
Discussion Questions
Use these to engage the crew and connect the lesson to today's site conditions.
- 1How do we inspect a strap for retirement?
- 2What's the minimum number of tie-downs for our load today?
Sources & Review
Author: Frank Marlow (28+ yrs) · Reviewed by Rachel Kim, CHST, CSP.
Published 2024-07-08 · Last technical review 2026-08-05 · Version 1.0 · Languages: EN, ES
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