23.10.2026 | When Standards Hit the Road

„How do standards for load securing and lifting technology hold up when theory becomes practice?“

Members of the Web Sling & Tie Down Association (WSTDA) explored this question in early October during their fall conference.

The event featured a special first. For the first time ever, a WSTDA standards meeting took place outside of the Americas – specifically in Germany. Following the committee’s technical session in Cologne, participants traveled on to the Research and Technology Center for Load Securing (F&T) in Selm. F&T is one of the leading providers of driving and safety training for commercial vehicles and operates a test and research track for load securing that is unique in Europe. Here, guests were able to experience firsthand what is otherwise described in standards, guidelines, and calculation tables.

After a brief introduction to the facility by Dolezych managing directors Tim Dolezych and Karl-Heinz Keisewitt, Dolezych expert Uwe Schöbel kicked off the technical session. He outlined the differences between European requirements for load securing and the U.S. FMCSA guidelines. It quickly became clear that both sides of the Atlantic share the same goal: safe transportation. However, the approaches and calculation methods differ.

Next, the group headed to the test track. In a series of driving demonstrations, the experts from F&T showed the stresses to which loads are subjected while driving and how various securing methods work, making the theory immediately visible and easy to understand.

„You can’t fully understand load securing just by sitting at a desk. Only when you experience the forces at work firsthand does it become clear why standards, calculations, and proper application are so important for safety in everyday transport operations,“

explains Karl-Heinz Keisewitt.

Another highlight was the driver safety training. Guests were able to ride along in vehicles driven by Dolezych employees and experience the course up close, turning a theoretical topic into an experience that will be remembered for a long time to come.

„Our fall conference takes place at a different location every year. Being able to visit F&T in Germany this time was something special. The combination of technical expertise, realistic demonstrations, and direct interaction with the Dolezych experts opened up valuable new perspectives for our members,“

says Rob Snyder, Managing Director of the subsidiary Doleco USA.

During the closing gathering at the food truck, participants shared experiences and strengthened their connections. The meeting vividly demonstrated the value of international dialogue for the continued development of safe transportation, while at the same time providing an opportunity to discuss different approaches to load securing and to learn from one another.