May 28, 2009 11:30 AM

American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) Safety Management Council has released Practical Cargo Securement, a 405-page resource for drivers, carriers, shippers, and law enforcement on how to properly secure cargo for transport. The book is part of the ATA Business Solutions line of products, events, and services.

Distributed by ATA and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, this reference guide covers not only the basic principles and governing regulations of load securement, but also provides hundreds of diagrams, graphs, and other visuals for better comprehension of weight distribution, gravitational pull, load positioning, and correct use of restraint devices. Part 2 of the book covers the securement of 12 commodities, including logs; dressed lumber and building materials; metal coils; paper rolls; concrete pipe; intermodal containers; automobiles, light trucks and vans; heavy vehicles, equipment and machinery; crushed cars; roll-on/roll-off and hook-lift containers; and boulders. Also included are the US and Canadian Cargo Securement regulations.

This publication is used by commercial vehicle inspectors. It is based on the North American Cargo Securement Standards that served as the model for the regulations adopted by the United States (49 CFR Parts 392 and 393) and Canada (NSC Standard #10).

Purchase this guide for $20 (ATA members receive a discount) at www.ATABusinessSolutions.com or call toll-free 866-821-3468.