What 173.24(b) means in plain language
FMCSR 173.24(b) addresses a straightforward but critical requirement: any package containing hazardous materials must maintain structural and protective integrity throughout transport. This means the container, closure system, and overall packaging must be sound enough to contain the hazmat safely and prevent leaks, spills, or exposure during normal handling and transit.
In practical terms, an inspector citing you for 173.24(b) found evidence that the package itself—the box, drum, bag, or other container—was compromised, degraded, or otherwise unable to reliably hold and protect the hazardous contents. This might involve visible cracks, holes, corrosion, faulty seals, or damage that compromised the barrier between the hazmat and the outside environment.
Why this matters: a failure in package integrity doesn't just expose you to a citation. It puts at risk the cargo, your truck, and everyone on the road. Hazmat regulations exist to prevent spills and accidents that can cause injury, environmental damage, and federal enforcement action.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, we have documented 92 all-time citations for 173.24(b), making it ranked #1443 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. In the last 12 months and the last 90 days, our database shows zero citations for this code, indicating it is not currently a frequent enforcement focus at roadside.
When 173.24(b) violations do occur, they carry serious consequences. Our data shows a 37.0% out-of-service rate for this code—meaning inspectors placed the vehicle out of service in 34 of 92 citations. This is notably higher than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, underscoring that inspectors treat package integrity failures as significant safety issues. Of the 92 all-time citations, 58 were not placed out of service, but the elevated OOS rate reflects the hazmat-related severity.
The CSA severity weight for this code is 7, a moderate-to-high rating that factors into your Safety Management System (SMS) profile if you are a fleet operator or if citations accumulate under your USDOT number.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records do not identify top states for 173.24(b) in sufficient detail to name specific jurisdictions. However, the carriers in our database with the most citations for this code are notably concentrated in towing and emergency roadside service operations. HOVANWIL INC (USDOT 2442521) appears most frequently with 7 all-time citations. This pattern suggests that roadside recovery vehicles and smaller haulers account for a disproportionate share of package integrity violations—likely because these operations frequently transport partial loads, mixed hazmat shipments, or loads that have been exposed to weather and handling during recovery or redistribution.
Other carriers with multiple citations include GIRARD & PETERSON INC (USDOT 2621350) with 4 citations and ALL STAR TOWING INC (USDOT 2692036) with 3 citations. Our data shows fleets such as these have faced citations, but this does not imply systemic negligence; rather, it reflects the operational reality that towing and roadside service carriers often inherit damaged or compromised loads.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
173.24(b) sits within the Hazardous Materials category, alongside several peer codes that address related packaging and transportation compliance issues. By volume and enforcement intensity, it ranks significantly lower than several comparable violations.
For example, 177.834A-HMC (General loading/unloading hazmat) has 3,954 citations with a 99.2% OOS rate—far more frequent and almost universally resulting in out-of-service action. Similarly, 177.834(a) (General loading/unloading hazmat) totals 3,839 citations at a 97.9% OOS rate. These codes address loading and unloading practices, which are more commonly inspected and more frequently violated than package integrity alone.
177.817(a) (Placarding violation) shows 2,274 citations with a 75.1% OOS rate, still substantially higher than 173.24(b) in both volume and enforcement stringency. By contrast, 172.602(c)(1) (Maintenance/accessibility of Emergency Response information) has 1,464 citations but a 0.0% OOS rate, indicating that documentation violations are typically not grounds for out-of-service placement.
In summary, 173.24(b) is a lower-volume code relative to other hazmat packaging and placarding violations, but its 37.0% OOS rate confirms that when inspectors do cite it, they view it as a material safety defect.
How to avoid it
Prevent a 173.24(b) citation by building a pre-trip and load-acceptance routine focused on package condition:
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Inspect all hazmat containers before loading. Look for visible damage, corrosion, dents, cracks, leaks, or deterioration in seals and closures. If you see compromised packaging, reject it or document the refusal and report it to your dispatcher and the shipper.
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Check RAM and Ford vehicles especially carefully. Our data shows RAM vehicles (18 citations) and FORD vehicles (5 citations) are the top makes cited for this violation. If you drive these makes, pay extra attention to cargo restraint and how the load sits in the bed or cargo area; loose or shifting hazmat packages are more likely to sustain damage in transit.
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Verify closure integrity. Ensure that drums, containers, and boxes are properly sealed and that any caps, bungs, or closure mechanisms are tight and undamaged before you accept the load.
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Document the condition of incoming loads. Take photos or notes of package condition at pickup. If damage occurs en route due to road conditions or accidents, your documentation protects you from liability and false citation claims.
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Secure the load properly. Use appropriate blocking, bracing, and restraint to minimize movement and vibration during transport. Movement can open seals or create stress fractures, especially in older or marginal containers.
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During transit, protect your load from weather. Use tarps or covers where appropriate to shield hazmat packages from exposure to rain, snow, or extreme temperature swings that can degrade seals and container materials over time.
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If you must transport a damaged package, document why and notify all stakeholders. In emergencies, if a shipper insists you move a compromised package, get written authorization and keep a record. Do not simply accept a damaged load and hope inspectors do not notice.