"Is
Your Vehicle Safe To Operate:""Is
Your Vehicle Safe To Operate:"
Vehicles Must be in condition to operate on the highway.The responsibility lies with the driver. Speed limits must be observed at all times. And hauled materials, when hanging over the sides or extending beyond the tailgate, must be red-flagged.
What other details need to be regularly observed?
- vehicle passenger capacity
- seat belts
- latched tailgate
- clean truck beds and cabs, and
- immediate attention to mechanical problems
Fact:
Each year, approximately 50,000 Americans are killed in motor vehicle accidents. During the Vietnam War which lasted roughly 12 years, 52,000 Americans lives were lost. This on-to-twelve-year comparison clearly indicates that the motor vehicle safety program needs immediate attention.Electrical Contractor Vehicles Are Unique
Our vehicles must be able to travel safely at expressway speeds to get to a jobsite. Once they arrive, they have to be rugged enough to get to a building that is surrounded by some of the worst conditions imaginable. For both of these reasons, drivers must check their trucks and trailers before leaving.
There are several things to check. Be sure trucks and trailers are road worthy by first checking:
- brakes
- lights (head, rear, and brake)
- tires (wear and pressure)
- windshield and wipers
- horn and backup alarm
- exhaust system
- steering and mechanical parts
- mirrors and
- emergency equipment
Check Load And Hitch
Is the load equally distributed and secure? Time taken at the outset may well save time over the long haul, as we all say, right?
- Be sure all rails and gates are set in place.
- Do not let drivers exceed the "payload" rating of the vehicle.
- Check the tongue weight of all trucks.
- Do not let drivers exceed the rating of the hitch.
- Use safety chains (be sure they are the same length).
- Be sure hitches are properly closed after hookup.
- Be sure all electrical connections are properly made.
- Note that for heavy trailers, a pintle hitch should be used.
The safety and schedule of drivers depend on how will they check their vehicles. Develop good vehicle habits and you'll see that your business' public reputation goes up in a direct relation.
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