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SUMMARY INFORMATION
National Safety Code Standard 10 ¡V Cargo
Securement
Changes Effective January 1, 2010
. Requirement to use tiedowns marked with Working Load Limit
December 18, 2009
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Rating and Marking of Tiedown Strength
(NSC 10 - Part 1, Division 3, Section 11 (4))
Issue:
National Safety Code Standard 10 Part 1, Division 3, Section 11
(4) states:
¡§On and after January 1, 2010, a person shall not use a tiedown or a
component of a tiedown to secure
cargo to a vehicle unless it is marked by the manufacturer with respect to its
working load limit.¡¨
Background
The provision to require the strength (Working Load Limit) of tiedowns to be
provided by the
manufacturer and marked on the tiedown assembly was developed with, and
supported by, industry
stakeholders during preparation of the North American Cargo Securement Standard
from 1994 to 1999. In
these discussions it was agreed that an orderly implementation of this
requirement could be
accommodated with 5 years notice, based on the typical service life of commonly
used tiedown
assemblies.
NSC Standard 10 was approved by the Council of Ministers Responsible for
Transportation and Highway
Safety in September 2004, and was implemented by Canadian provinces and
territories by mid 2005.
The requirement to use rated and marked tiedowns will affect carriers and
shippers in Canada and the
United States who use tiedowns to secure cargo ¡V particularly those who use
flatbed trucks and trailers.
Transition and Educational Period
. Implementation of the requirement to use tiedowns which are rated and
marked with a Working Load
Limit will be phased in over a twelve month period ending on December 31,
2010
. From January 1 to December 31 2010 verbal direction and/or written
warnings will be issued to raise
awareness of the requirement to use rated and marked tiedowns (Note:
during the transition period,
use of unrated/unmarked tiedowns will not preclude issuance of a CVSA
decal).
. During the transition period, violations will be recorded in situations
where improper or inadequate
use of the required minimum number of tiedowns (either marked or
unmarked) for securement of
cargo poses a safety risk.
. During this period unmarked tiedowns will continue to be assigned
default Working Load Limits
from the tables which appear in NSC Standard 10. Using a tiedown or a
component of a tiedown not
marked by the manufacturer with respect to its Working Load Limit will
not result in Out-of-Service
unless a significant safety risk is created.
.
Default values for Working Load Limits will be eliminated from NSC
Standard 10 on January 1, 2011.
. On and after January 1, 2011, each of the minimum number of tiedowns
required under NSC 10 must
be rated and marked with a Working Load Limit.
Implementation
Full compliance with the provisions of NSC Standard 10 Division 3 Section 11 (4)
will be required and
enforced on January 1, 2011.
Rating and Marking of Tiedown Assemblies ¡V
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is there a requirement for the manufacturers of trailers to rate
the tracks that winches are mounted on?
No, there is currently no requirement to rate and mark the
strength of anchor points.
2. If a tiedown is made up of a strap, winch and chain, do all three pieces
require a rating?
If the manufacturer has provided a Working Load Limit for
the complete tiedown assembly, it is not
necessary to provide strength ratings for individual
components which are permanent parts of the assembly.
3. Some ratings on winches are on the inside, if all three pieces are
required to be rated, will inspectors
require the tiedown to be taken off the load to see the
rating on the winches?
Not for winches that serve as anchor points and are
attached to the trailer, or where a strength rating
is provided for the complete tiedown assembly.
4. What information is required for marking the WLL of tiedown assemblies? (eg
name of manufacturer, date etc)
A tiedown or a component of a tiedown should be marked in
accordance with the appropriate
standard referred to in Part 4 of NSC Standard 10.
5. Can ratings only be provided by manufacturers?
Yes, recognizing that a manufacturer would include
individuals or companies that assemble tiedowns
using components fabricated and sold by others.
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6. What are the requirements for establishing
the strength rating of a tiedown?
The Working Load Limit of a tiedown or a component of a
tiedown should be established in
accordance with the appropriate standard referred to in Part
4 of NSC Standard 10
7. Do bungee cords need to be rated and marked with a WLL?
If a bungee cord is being used as a tiedown, it must be
rated and marked with a Working Load Limit.
8. What are the requirements for rating and marking the strength of rope
tiedowns?
A rope tiedown should be rated and marked in accordance
with the appropriate standard referred to
in Part 4 of NSC Standard 10.
9. Are knots permitted in ropes used as tiedowns?
A rope tiedown should be used in accordance with the
provisions of the appropriate standard
referred to in Part 4 of NSC Standard 10, including any
restrictions on the use, or presence, of knots.
10. Do devices used in conjunction with a securing device to prevent a
tiedown from becoming loose,
unfastening, opening or releasing while the
vehicle is in transit require a WLL marking (eg. metal rod on load binder).
No.
11. Do the markings need to be a numeric marking or will a manufacture code
be sufficient?
Marking of Working Load Limits should be in
accordance with the provisions of the appropriate
standard referred to in Part 4 of NSC Standard 10.
12. Is there a durability requirement for marking by the manufacturer with
respect to its working load limit?
No, but the absence of a legible marking from
the manufacturer indicating the strength of a tiedown
will cause it to be assigned a default WLL of
zero.
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Reference: Canadian Council of Motor
Transport Administrators (CCMTA)
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