Pre-Trip Inspections, Continued…
Last time, we talked about the importance of pre-trip inspections. I hope you gave some thought to the idea and that in addition to it being required, it’s also just good business. I know it seems like extra time in the morning but it really can save you hours down the road.
So, you’ve decided you’re going to take the leap and start disciplining yourself and the rest of your team members to do the same. What are the things you need to have on board while doing your pre-trip inspection?
First of all you need a good pre-trip inspection booklet. You can find these on various websites like JJ Keller, who has inspection booklets designed specifically for refuse trucks. They will have carbon copies so that one copy will stay with the booklet in the truck and the other copy can be handed in after the post trip inspection. We’ll talk about that soon as well!
Last time we talked about inspecting tires, lights, hoses and belts. I also want to touch on some important safety items. You need to have an approved type ABC fire extinguisher on board that is fully charged and has been Inspected by a certified fire professional in the last year. If you have never experienced a fire on your truck, good for you! It can be a devastating event to your business.
You will also want to have a set of three DOT approved triangle reflectors. Any local truck dealer or heavy duty parts shop should have these. In the event of a breakdown, you will need to have these on board so you can display them facing oncoming traffic.
The next thing you will need to make sure of is that your license plate registration is up-to-date along with your insurance certificate. Check the dates on the paperwork on board to make sure they are current. This is the first thing a motor carrier officer will ask for.
The officer will also ask to see the paperwork on your annual DOT inspection. This inspection needs to be performed by a licensed heavy duty mechanic. It will include a check sheet of all of the FMVSS (federal motor vehicle safety standards)items that were inspected. Also, an annual DOT inspection sticker needs to be posted in a conspicuous area on the cab of the truck.
If you don’t have maintenance software that logs the renewal information, make sure you come up with a system for reminding yourself to have this done. It can be as simple as a Google calendar reminder 2 to 3 weeks prior to the expiration date.
I hope this helps to give you a framework of what you need for a good foundation for a pre-trip inspection program. If you’d like to talk more, please contact us at vantholenassociates.com. I look forward to helping you!
Ed Dryfhout
ed@vantholenassociates.com
#afriendinthebusiness