OTTAWA -- Canada is now several months into a phase-out program for unmarked and unrated tiedown devices.

Prior to January 1, 2010, Canada allowed the use of such devices, granting them default working load limit ratings as published in the National Safety Code Standard 10 -- and still recognized in the U.S.

Beginning January 1, 2011, though, the default ratings will no longer apply. Each unmarked device in a cargo securement system will be zero-rated.

Between January 1 and December 31, 2010 verbal direction and/or written warnings will be issued to raise awareness of the change.

Violations will not be recorded unless improper or inadequate use of the required minimum number of tiedowns -- marked or unmarked -- would pose a safety risk. Using unmarked or unrated devices will not result in an Out-of-Service order unless a significant safety risk is created.

Unmarked tiedowns will continue to be assigned default Working Load Limits until January 1, 2011, when they will be eliminated from the Standard.

The bottom line is carriers have nine months to purge all the unmarked and unrated straps, chains, binders, etc. from cargo securement supply boxes.

And don’t forget, a good, rated piece of gear with an illegible marking is considered unmarked.

(For more on good cargo securement practices, be sure to check out this week's online feature, Something's Gotta Give.)

-- Jim Park