Chock

Plain-English Meaning

Chocks are used where cargo can roll, such as pipe, wheels, reels, or round objects. They work by closing a roll path, not by adding tiedown capacity by themselves.

A chock must be placed and held so it remains useful after vibration, braking, and load settling. Its size, material, angle, and contact with the deck all matter.

For cargo with a specific federal section, chocks should be reviewed with the current source and carrier policy rather than treated as a universal shortcut.

In day-to-day freight work, the safest use of the term is narrow and factual. Confirm the current rule, equipment rating, shipment condition, and company procedure before using any glossary definition for a live securement decision.

Watchouts

• A loose chock can shift out of position.
• Material strength and shape should match the cargo.
• A chock on a slippery or weak surface may not resist the expected movement.

Related Terms

• Blocking
• Rolling Cargo
• Dunnage