Loading Requirements
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration · May 23, 1995 · Reference No. 95-0296
Interprets: 49 CFR § 177.834
Reggie’s quick take
Someone asked how to keep hazardous materials containers from moving relative to each other during transport. The agency said §§ 177.834(a) and (g) do not dictate how containers must be braced or secured. But containers shrinkwrapped to a wood or plastic pallet that is not itself kept from moving relative to the vehicle do not meet those sections. Containers wedged at the nose of the vehicle without rear support also do not meet them.
Written by AI (Claude) on Oct 22, 2026. Robots make mistakes and leave things out, so the letter below is what counts. Not legal advice.
This is in response to your letter requesting clarification of the loading requirements to prevent relative motion between containers of hazardous materials. I regret the delay in responding and hope it has not caused any inconvenience.
Sections 177.834(a) and (g) do not prescribe the means by which containers are to be braced or secured. Containers secured by shrinkwrapping to a wooden or plastic pallet that itself is not prevented from movement relative to the motion of the transport vehicle, or containers wedged at the nose of the vehicle without rear support, do not meet requirements prescribed in § 177.834(a) and (g) for being secured against movement within the vehicle.
A letter of interpretation applies the regulations to the facts the requester described. It isn’t a regulation and isn’t legal advice. The agency’s copy.