Exemption approved for metal coil haulers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has granted a two-year exemption from certain commodity-specific cargo securement rules for motor carriers transporting metal coils.

The Flatbed Carrier Safety Group applied for an exemption to allow motor carriers transporting metal coils to secure coils grouped in rows with eyes crosswise and the coils in contact with each other in the longitudinal direction. This method wasn’t covered in the current regulations.

The group requested the exemption so all commercial motor vehicle operators will be able to use FMCSA’s pre-Jan. 1, 2004 cargo securement procedures for transporting metal coils with eyes crosswise. FMCSA said it believes permitting motor carriers to haul metal coils in this manner will maintain a level of safety that is equal to, or greater than, safety achieved without the exemption.

For more information, go to www.regulations.gov; the docket number is No. FMCSA-2010-0177.