What 173.24a(c) means in plain language
173.24a(c) concerns the proper handling and control of hazardous materials during transport. This regulation requires drivers and carriers to maintain specific conditions for hazmat loads—ensuring they remain secure, properly contained, and managed according to DOT standards throughout the journey.
When an inspector cites this code, they've found evidence that a hazmat shipment wasn't being transported or managed in the manner the regulation requires. This might involve issues with how the load was secured, the condition of containment, or the way the driver was controlling the hazmat during transport.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 173.24a(c) has been cited only 4 times in total. In the last 12 months, our database shows 0 citations, and in the last 90 days, 0 citations. This code ranks #2480 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by enforcement frequency.
None of the 4 all-time citations resulted in an out-of-service order—the OOS rate is 0.0%. This is substantially lower than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, meaning inspectors have consistently allowed vehicles cited for this violation to continue operating after the citation was issued.
Who gets cited most
Our records show only 4 citations for 173.24a(c) across all carriers and jurisdictions in our database. No single state or carrier dominates the enforcement pattern due to the extremely low citation volume. The citations are distributed among carriers such as THE GROWING COMPANY INC (USDOT 2621862), PARKING LOT SERVICES LLC (USDOT 2867061), PRO OUTDOOR ENHANCEMENTS LLC (USDOT 4301473), and PRIMAVERA LAWN CARE & MORE (USDOT 4302036), each with 1 citation.
Vehicle makes cited include Chevrolet (3 citations), Freightliner (1 citation), and utility vehicles (1 citation).
How severe is this compared to similar codes
173.24a(c) sits in the hazardous materials category alongside several other codes that see far heavier enforcement. For context:
- 177.834A-HMC (General loading/unloading hazmat) has been cited 3,954 times with a 99.2% OOS rate—meaning almost all vehicles are pulled off the road.
- 177.817(a) (Placarding violation) totals 3,839 citations with a 97.9% OOS rate.
- 172.602(c)(1) (Maintenance/accessibility of Emergency Response information) has 1,464 citations but a 0.0% OOS rate, matching 173.24a(c)'s enforcement outcome.
The rarity of 173.24a(c) citations and the zero OOS rate suggest this violation is either uncommon in the field or inspectors view it as correctable without removing the vehicle from service.
How to avoid it
Before you load:
- Verify that all hazmat packaging is intact and shows no signs of damage, leakage, or structural compromise.
- Confirm that containment vessels, drums, tanks, or specialized containers are properly sealed and rated for the material being transported.
- Check that the load is properly distributed and will not shift during transit, which could compromise container integrity.
During your pre-trip inspection:
- Walk the perimeter of your load and verify all securing devices—straps, chains, or restraints—are tight and functional.
- Look for any visible signs of spillage, seepage, or leakage from the hazmat cargo.
- Ensure placards and labels are visible and undamaged (related violations like 177.817(e) are also rare but cited more frequently).
During transport:
- Avoid abrupt acceleration, hard braking, or sharp turns that could jostle the load and stress containment.
- Monitor your cargo compartment or tank during rest stops for any signs of leakage or loss of control.
- If you suspect any issue with load containment, pull over in a safe location and inspect before continuing.