LANGLEY, B.C. (April 11, 2005) — The government of B.C. has published load securement penalties in preparation for the new standard effective July 1, 2005.

The new rules mean truckers must follow a new set of tie-down standards. Cargo must be immobilized or secured so that it can’t: leak; spill; blow; fall from the vehicle; fall through the vehicle; or otherwise become dislodged, shift upon or within the vehicle so that the vehicle’s stability or maneuverability is affected.

Anybody who works in securement must also know not only how to secure a load, but also be able to explain why it is secured in a specific way. These people will be expected to use only securement devices that have a known working load limit and are in workable condition. All tie-down points must also have a working load limit as well.

The B.C. Trucking Association says the following fines will be applied for load securement infractions:

Carrier permits operation without proper equipment or with insecure cargo — $400; driver operates commercial or business vehicle without proper equipment or with insecure cargo — $250; driver operates non-commercial or non-business vehicle without proper equipment or with insecure cargo — $150; failure to stop or secure cargo — $520.

The BCTA is offering training on the new load securement standard, as well as providing driver load securement handbooks.