Commercial vehicles are the backbone of our country as they transport all of our much-needed food and resources to the places where they are needed.
HGVs are essential in this, and so it is vital to make sure that they are safe and roadworthy in order to avoid accidents, breakdowns or having them taken off the road, which can be both costly and dangerous.
That means that regular checks need to take place to ensure that each HGV is safe and ready to be on our roads, so in this article, Walker Movements, specialists in used trucks for sale, have put together a checklist of some of the most important things that you should be keeping an eye out for.
Brakes
An HGV is a massive piece of machinery that is capable of causing untold levels of damage if it is unable to stop, which is why the brakes need to be kept under close scrutiny. It is for this reason that there should be a regular and thorough check of the whole brake system, including measuring the width of the brake pads. Anything which is less than an eighth of an inch thick should be replaced immediately. For obvious reasons, it is also vital that the emergency brake is tested regularly.
Tyres
Your tyres will provide vital grip, especially in adverse weather conditions, so you need to make sure that they have sufficient tread and that this is roughly even all around the vehicle. You should also keep a look out for any cracks or breaks, as well as anything that might be embedded in the tyre such as stones or nails. While you are looking at the tyres, make sure that you pay close attention to the wheel alignment as well as checking that the spare tyres and the tools for changing a tyre are all in good order.
Lights
In a large vehicle like an HGV, it is incredibly important that you can see where you are going and that other people can see you, so your lights need to be inspected. Make sure that you check the high and low beams, as well as the taillights and brake lights and look for any signs of condensation in the lighting case and for any visible cracks. You should also check the hazard lights and any bulbs around the registration plates.
Mirrors
Amn HG driver needs to be able to see all around them, so checking exterior and interior mirrors on all sides is important. You should ensure that they are securely attached and that there are no scratches or cracks.
Vehicle interior
It is easy to think that any HGV check should just focus on the mechanical workings, but the interior of the vehicle can be just as important. You need to be sure that important safety features such as seat belts and the horn are all working and in good condition and ensure that the defrosting system is operating properly. The cooling and heating systems should also be checked, and if your HGV is required to carry any specific emergency equipment then you will also need to add this to your checklist.
When performing these checks, it is important to record when they were done, who did them, what was found and what action was taken. This allows other people in the business to know what has been done and can prove to be an important record should a breakdown or accident occur in the future. By making sure the vehicle is roadworthy before a journey, you can help to ensure the safety of both the driver and everyone else on the road.
