The Specialized Carriers & Rigging Assn. (SC&RA) has just released a new video designed to help trucking companies enhance safety and comply with the North American Standard for Protection Against Falling and Shifting Cargo.

The rules, published by the U.S. Department of Transportation in September 2002 become effective in January 2004.
The 30-minute video:
-- Addresses new federal regulations for securing freight in vans, on flatbeds and on other specialized hauling equipment.
-- Outlines the general regulations that apply to all loads and "commodity specific" regulations that detail securement procedures for distinct loads like equipment and machinery, concrete pipe, metal coils, lumber and building products, paper rolls and more. The new regulations specify securement procedures for eleven types of cargo.
-- Highlights the differences between the former and the new regulations.
-- Focuses on the cargo securement inspection priorities of enforcement personnel.
-- Outlines new formulas that must be used to determine the number and placement of tiedowns and the amount of force-resistance cargo must be able to withstand, as well as how to properly secure tiedowns and the rules for unmarked tiedowns.
"The enforcement community is geared up for full inspections of cargo securement and it’s up to carriers and our drivers to enhance safety by understanding and complying with these new rules. The new SC&RA video is a great tool to help us enhance safety, comply with the rules and avoid costly out-of-service violations and fines," said Allen Koenig, president of Midwest Specialized Transportation Inc., and chairman of the SC&RA Transportation Safety Committee.
To order the Cargo Securement and Protection video, contact Katie Palmer at SC&RA at (703) 698-0291 or visit SC&RA’s online store at www.scranet.org .