What 177.848(f) means in plain language
FMCSR 177.848(f) addresses specific requirements for how hazardous materials must be secured, contained, or managed during transport or handling. The regulation sets standards for preventing spills, leaks, or other releases that could endanger public safety or contaminate the environment.
If you received a citation for this code, an inspector found that your vehicle, cargo, or handling procedures did not meet these containment or securing standards. This could involve improper placement of hazmat, inadequate barriers, unsecured containers, or failure to follow packaging and loading protocols specific to the commodity you were transporting.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 177.848(f) is exceptionally rare. We have recorded only 1 citation for this code in our entire database. In the last 12 months and last 90 days, we have recorded 0 citations.
Of the 1 all-time citation, 0 resulted in an out-of-service order. That means the OOS rate for this code is 0.0%—substantially lower than the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%. This does not mean the violation is trivial; it reflects how infrequently roadside inspectors document this specific regulation at the point of inspection. When hazmat violations are caught, they often fall under related codes with broader citation volume.
Nationally, 177.848(f) ranks #2796 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation frequency, placing it in the lowest tier of enforcement activity.
Who gets cited most
Given that only 1 citation has been recorded in our database, geographic clustering is not meaningful. Our data shows that GREEN SUNRISE B INC (USDOT 3903336) received 1 citation for this code. With such minimal enforcement volume, no actionable pattern by state, region, or fleet size exists.
If you were cited, you were part of an exceptionally small group. This rarity suggests that either the violation is uncommon in practice, or that inspectors are applying related but more commonly cited codes instead.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Hazmat violations in the 177.8xx series show vastly different enforcement profiles. Our data illustrates the range:
177.834A-HMC (general loading/unloading of hazmat) has been cited 3,954 times with a 99.2% OOS rate—meaning nearly all inspectors who cite it remove the vehicle from service immediately. 177.834(a) (also general loading/unloading) follows closely with 3,839 citations and a 97.9% OOS rate.
By contrast, 172.502(a)(1) (placarding general requirements) shows 1,820 citations but only an 18.5% OOS rate, and 172.602(c)(1) (maintenance and accessibility of emergency response information) has 1,464 citations with a 0.0% OOS rate.
The dramatic variation suggests that loading and unloading violations (177.834 series) are treated as immediate safety threats, while documentation or maintenance issues receive more lenient field enforcement. Your citation under 177.848(f)—with its near-zero OOS rate—indicates the inspector assessed it as a correctable deficiency rather than an imminent hazard.
How to avoid it
Because enforcement data for 177.848(f) itself is sparse, focus on the broader hazmat transport principles:
- Verify packaging integrity before loading. Inspect all hazmat containers for cracks, leaks, corrosion, or damage. Do not load compromised packages.
- Secure all hazmat cargo physically. Use appropriate blocking, bracing, or tie-downs to prevent shifting, tipping, or impact damage during transit. Loose or improperly stowed containers are a primary violation trigger.
- Confirm proper placarding and labeling. Ensure all required labels and placards are affixed, legible, and appropriate for the specific hazard class of your cargo.
- Review the shipper's hazmat declaration. Verify that the package, labeling, and placarding match the declared commodity. Misclassification or undeclared hazmat is a critical enforcement gap.
- Perform a pre-trip walk-around focused on the cargo. Check for visible leaks, loose straps, exposed or damaged containers, and proper ventilation (if required). This single action catches most containment issues before an inspector does.
- Know your vehicle's maximum load limits and weight distribution. Improper loading can cause containers to rupture or shift.
Since 177.848(f) enforcement is so rare in our records, compliance is best achieved by treating all hazmat transport with the rigor expected by the highest-OOS-rate codes in the category. If you are routinely moving hazmat, invest in a hazmat-specific training refresher and work with your shipper to confirm that packaging and loading procedures are current.