If you are an HGV driver, then you probably know that the job involves more than just taking goods from one place to another. One of your most important tasks is to ensure the safety of yourself and everybody else on the road to make sure that you avoid breakdowns and accidents that could be dangerous, costly and hazardous.
One way to prevent any mishaps is to make sure that you check your vehicle every single day. This helps to ensure that everything is in good working order and makes sure that you and your load will reach your destination without any problems or delays.
Not sure what to look for? Here, FleetEx have put together a list of things that you should include in your daily checks, so read on to find out what they are.
What is a daily check?
Even though you don’t own the vehicle, every driver is responsible for making sure that the vehicle that they are driving is safe and roadworthy before they get behind the wheel. If a vehicle is not safe and you still take it out on the road, it could lead to an accident or a breakdown, and in the worst scenarios, you could find that the vehicle’s insurance is invalid, and you could be prosecuted.
It is therefore vital to take the time to walk around the truck before you set off to make sure everything is in good order. The check should only take a few minutes and you should make sure that you keep a written record of what you have checked, what the outcomes were and whether you have done anything to remedy a problem.
The report should always include the vehicle registration, the date, details of any problems, your assessment, your name and employee number and where the problem was reported.
It should also list what rectification work was undertaken and the date that this was done. Any truck which has a problem that has been identified should not be driven until the problem has been rectified. Any problems which are flagged up should be addressed by the company immediately. These records then need to be kept for at least 15 months.
What you should check
When you first check your vehicle, you should walk around the outside and look for any signs of damage. This might be found on the outside curtain or panels. You should also check that the outline markers on the trailer are secure to ensure visibility of the truck at all times.
You should also ensure that things such as the bumper, grill, number plates, mirrors, wings, wipers, spoilers, battery, fuel cap and exhaust stack pipe are all securely in place. You should then make sure that the air, electrics and ABS are all plugged in correctly and that there are no twists in the cables or damage.
You should then move on to looking at the wheels and tyres. It is important to make sure that there are no rips or tears in the tyres as well as checking for any bald patches that could affect the grip. This means that you will also need to make sure that the tread depth is within the legal limits and that all of the wheel nuts are secure. While you are checking the wheels, you should ensure that the spray suppression is clear of any debris, is securely fixed in place and is not catching on the ground or the tyre.
When you are driving something as heavy as an HGV, it is vital that you are able to stop as quickly as possible. As a driver, you need to ensure that the brakes are all in good working order, so start by inspecting the brake discs, which should be in good condition and free of any cracks.
It is also a good idea to get down on your hands and knees and check underneath the vehicle for any leaks of oil, fuel, water or brake fluid. Then have a look at the trailer coupling and make sure that the safety locking devices are all working properly.
You also need to take a look at the airbag in the suspension of your vehicle to ensure it is fully in place, and make sure that the trailer landing leg is safe. It is also a good time to check that the under-run bars and chassis are also secure.
Once the outside checks are completed, you will need to have a look inside the cab, so make sure that the steps and handles are all secure before you make your way up there. Inside the cab, there should be nothing that is lose, and nothing that is going to impede your vision in any way, which also means checking that your mirrors are all in good condition and visible and that there are no cracks in the windscreen. You should also test that things such as the washers and wipers are all working.
Then make sure that get your seat into the right position and that it is secure once you have done so and check the seatbelt for any signs of damage. Also make sure that you test items on your dashboard such as the hazard warning switch and lights to make sure that everything is working correctly.
All of your gauges should be working and lit up, the steering wheel should be free of any damage and the stalk switches and horn should all be working. Also make sure that you check the gear stick, pedals and handbrake as well as the tachograph and ensure that the vehicle height indicator is correct.
An HGV vehicle check can be quite a simple thing, but it is also a very important one, so it is essential that it is carried out thoroughly before you embark on any journey no matter how long or short it may be. The helps to make sure that everyone is kept as safe as possible and that you are within the law.