What 393.116E means in plain language
When you haul an intermodal container—a standard shipping box that moves between ships, trains, and trucks—it must be properly fastened to your chassis or platform. This isn't optional. The regulation requires that containers remain secured throughout transport, preventing them from shifting, tipping, or falling during normal driving and braking.
Securement means your container locking pins, twist locks, or other approved devices must engage fully with the chassis corners. If an inspector finds that your container is loose, incompletely locked, or fastened to an unsuitable surface, you'll be cited under 393.116E. The violation covers the entire securement assembly—the pins, the chassis attachment points, and the connection between container and vehicle.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 393.116E has been cited 16 times all-time. In the last 12 months, we logged 5 citations; in the last 90 days, 1 citation. All 16 of those citations resulted in out-of-service orders—a 100% OOS rate. This is dramatically higher than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, meaning inspectors almost universally remove equipment from service when they find unsecured containers. The code ranks #2026 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, making it a relatively uncommon violation in the national dataset, but one that carries maximum enforcement consequences when it does occur.
The rarity of citations paired with the certainty of out-of-service placement tells us that inspectors prioritize container securement as a safety-critical defect. When they find it, they stop the vehicle immediately.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show that North Carolina accounts for 2 citations over the last 180 days, with both resulting in out-of-service orders (100% OOS rate). The limited geographic concentration in our data reflects the low overall volume of this violation.
At the carrier level, our data shows fleets such as Bitt's Landscaping and Bushogging Service Inc with 2 citations all-time. Other carriers cited for 393.116E include Becton Timber LLC, Rolison Trucking Co LLC, W M Whittington Trucking LLC, Swain & Temple Inc, Darrel Jones, Thompson Logging LLC, Lewis Timber Inc, Jamie Valentine Logging LLC, and Gaskin Logging LLC, each with 1 citation in our records. These citations do not imply systemic negligence; they reflect the enforcement pattern across the carrier base.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the Vehicle Maintenance category, 393.116E's 100% OOS rate is extraordinary. Compare this to 393.9(a)—Inoperable required lamps—which has been cited 660,737 times with a 15.4% OOS rate. Similarly, 396.3(a)(1)—Inspection/repair/maintenance general—has 236,919 citations but a 45.3% OOS rate. And 393.47E—Slack adjuster defective—has 180,363 citations with a 0.0% OOS rate.
The contrast is stark: codes dealing with lighting, general maintenance, or brakes are cited far more frequently but are placed out of service at lower rates. 393.116E's absolute enforcement rate is low, but its OOS consequence is categorical. When inspectors identify unsecured containers, they treat the violation as equipment unsafe to operate under any circumstance.
How to avoid it
Securement of intermodal containers is a pre-trip responsibility that requires deliberate inspection and verification:
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Inspect all four corner locking points before departing the facility. Manually check that twist locks or pins are fully seated and rotate them to confirm they engage. Do not rely on visual inspection alone; physically test the mechanism.
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Verify the chassis is rated and configured for your container size and weight. Mismatched chassis (wrong corner castings, damaged attachment points, or worn pockets) cannot safely secure a container. If the chassis has cracks, corrosion, or missing components around the corner fittings, refuse the load.
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Check for visible damage to the container itself that might prevent proper locking—bent corner posts, warped structure, or debris blocking lock engagement. Notify dispatch if the container or chassis cannot achieve full securement.
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Document your pre-trip securement check with photos or notes, especially on long hauls. If you're cited, evidence that you verified securement before departure protects your record and demonstrates due diligence.
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If you experience rough road conditions or severe braking, pull over at a safe location and re-verify container securement. A heavily loaded intermodal container can shift under extreme deceleration or impact.
The data shows this violation is rare but catastrophic when it occurs. Treating securement as a non-negotiable pre-trip step, with active physical verification rather than assumption, is the most effective prevention strategy.