Load Securement – Securing Pallets Fatality File

Improper Load Securement

A worker was involved in an accident due to improper load securement occurred in 2018 in Ohio. The worker, a truck driver, was transporting a load of steel coils that had been improperly secured to the trailer during loading.

As the driver was driving down the highway, the load shifted, causing the trailer to tip over and spill its contents onto the road. The driver was trapped in the cab of the truck and had to be extricated by emergency responders. He suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized for several weeks.

An investigation revealed that the steel coils had not been properly secured to the trailer during loading. The company responsible for loading the cargo was cited for violating federal regulations related to load securement and fined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

This incident highlights the importance of proper load securement and the potential dangers that can arise when cargo is not properly secured. In addition to posing a risk to workers and others on the road, inadequate load securement can also result in damage to cargo and costly fines and legal liability for companies involved. Proper training, equipment, and protocols can help prevent these accidents and protect the safety of workers and others.