A trucking company, K&L Trucking, from Delta, Ohio, has been granted a five-year exemption by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to secure metal coils using a unique single-strap tie down method.

What's new: K&L Trucking can now use a two-ply nylon-Kevlar strap attached to a custom metal carrier on their trailers, as opposed to the standard multiple-tiedown system.

• This exemption permits the company to transport metal coils over short distances, not exceeding two miles, and speeds under 30 miles per hour.
• The company previously received this exemption in 2020 and has seen no safety issues since then.

The details: Under FMCSA rules, metal coils over 5,000 pounds typically need multiple tie downs. However, K&L’s method is deemed equivalently safe, according to a Federal Register notice.

• The exemption applies only to specific routes in Delta, Ohio, with plans for K&L to maintain strict safety checks on their equipment.
• K&L must inspect their securement system before each trip and replace straps every six months.

This approach allows for safer short-distance hauls of heavy loads without incidents so far.