Cargo Securement Exemption Approved by the FMCSA

FMCSA Grants K&L Trucking a 5-Year Exemption for Cargo Securement

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has granted K&L Trucking, Inc. a five-year exemption. The exemption allows the company to continue using a different method to secure large metal coils on its trailers. This method does not follow the standard federal cargo securement rules.

The new exemption took effect on April 21, 2025, and will remain in place until April 21, 2030. It builds on a previous five-year exemption that was first granted in 2020.

Why K&L Requested the Cargo Securement Exemption

K&L uses a special securement system to haul metal coils in Delta, Ohio. In 2020, the FMCSA approved their request to use this system instead of the method outlined in federal regulations. Now, K&L has expanded the request to cover additional routes and facilities in the same area.

The FMCSA reviewed the request and found that K&L’s system is likely to be just as safe—if not safer—than the standard rules.

How the Alternative Cargo Securement Method Works

Federal law (49 CFR 393.120(c)) outlines how heavy metal coils must be secured during transport. For example, if a coil weighs more than 5,000 pounds and is positioned with the eye facing the sides of the trailer, it must have specific tiedowns.

K&L’s system uses a custom steel cradle mounted directly onto the trailer bed. This cradle is held in place with sixteen 5/8-inch Grade 8 bolts. Each bolt has a working load limit of 27,611 pounds.

To secure the coil, K&L uses a two-ply strap made of nylon and Kevlar. The strap has a working load limit of 44,800 pounds. It goes through the eye of the coil and attaches it to the cradle.

This setup is only used for short trips. All trips must stay under 40 miles per hour. The routes are limited to specific locations in Delta, Ohio. These include North Star BlueScope Steel, Fulton County Processing, Worthington Industries, Nova Tube & Steel, and BlueScope Recycling & Materials.

FMCSA’s Safety Review and Public Comment

The FMCSA reviewed K&L’s safety record during the initial exemption period. It found no crashes or incidents related to the cargo securement method. Based on this record, the FMCSA believes the system is safe to use.

One member of the public submitted a comment during the review. The person expressed concern about using Kevlar straps instead of chains or steel binders. They said, “Chains or steel binders are a better choice than Kevlar.”

The FMCSA responded by saying that the strap material used by K&L is already approved in the regulations. “The synthetic material used for the strap is listed in the Web Sling & Tie Down Association standards that are incorporated by reference in the regulations,” the agency said.

Cargo Securement Conditions K&L Must Follow

The exemption includes several conditions K&L must meet. These include:

• The securement system must be inspected before each trip.
• The nylon-Kevlar straps must be checked for wear, damage, or UV exposure.
• Straps must be replaced every six months, even if they show no signs of damage.
• Drivers must carry a copy of the exemption during each trip.
• K&L must report any incidents involving the securement system to the FMCSA once per year.

The FMCSA can cancel the exemption at any time. This could happen if K&L fails to meet the conditions or if the system is found to be unsafe.

The full text of the exemption is available on the Federal Register.