What legislation should fleet managers be aware of?
Poorly maintained tyres can cause commercial fleet managers a number of challenges ranging from a duty of care for their drivers and other motorists involved in a tyre failure incident, health and safety risks for those making roadside wheel changes through to vehicle downtime, premature tyre wear and higher fuel consumption.
Fleet operators have a duty of care to their drivers and must ensure they are provided with a safe working environment, including the provision of safe and roadworthy vehicles. Since the Health and Safety Offences Act came into force in January 2009, UK courts have greater authority to prosecute businesses for committing offences such as fitting illegal tyres or faulty brakes. The maximum penalty has increased from £5,000 to £20,000.
Duty of care
Not only is the safety of the fleet's own drivers put at risk from a tyre failure, but other motorists can also be put at risk by any debris left on the carriageway. Furthermore, as any tyre fitter can testify, fitting a replacement tyre on a motorway hard shoulder is an activity fraught with risk and danger. Correct tyre maintenance can greatly reduce these risks and provide a safer working environment for drivers and fitters.
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Truck Tyre Safety
Why are tyres important?
In 2007, defective or under-inflated tyres were a contributory factor in the death of 43 motorists in the UK, and played a part in a further 984 accidents. In the HGV sector, statistics recorded by VOSA reveal an MoT failure rate of 36.5 percent in 2007/8, with ‘condition of tyres’ ranking as the second most common failure defects . The VOSA statistics reveal that the percentage of failure defects attributed to tyres rose from 4.9 percent in 2006/7 to 5.6 percent in 2007/8 among HGV motor vehicles.
Tyres are of fundamental importance to road safety as they provide the only contact a vehicle has with the road. Basic checks such as making sure tyres are correctly inflated can make all the difference, as the pressurised air inside an HGV tyre has to support the weight of the vehicle and its load. Tyres must also be well maintained in order to keep the vehicle stable as it travels around corners, work in harmony with the vehicle’s main suspension system and help the vehicle accelerate and brake effectively.
TyreSafe aims to raise awareness of the importance of driving on safe and correctly maintained tyres among road haulage communities and commercial vehicle users.
Top tips for correct tyre maintenance
Tyre Pressure
- Check the pressure of HGV tyres before they leave the workshop, or once a week if the vehicle is a frequent visitor.
- Check the pressure in all tyres not forgetting to check any spare tyre(s) as well.
- Tyre pressure should be checked against the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure for the axle loads (or the tyre manufacturer's recommended operating pressures).
- Check the pressure when tyres are cold or when the vehicle has travelled less than two miles.
- Use a reliable and accurate pressure gauge.
- Ensure that valve extensions are fitted and working for inner twins.
- If you are unsure on any aspect of tyre pressure or tyre condition take your vehicle to an approved fitting centre and speak to the experts.
Tread depth
TyreSafe recommends that drivers consider changing their tyres before the legal limit of 1mm. The same regulation applies to regrooved tyres. Tyre tread depth should be checked at least once a month or at every fleet inspection, using an accurate tread depth gauge.
Condition of tyres
- Clean the dirt from the valves and make sure that valve caps are fitted to each wheel
- Remove any stones and other objects embedded in the tread. Look out for any bulges, lumps or cuts to the tread & sidewalls.
- Steering alignment should be corrected if front tyres show signs of excessive or uneven wear.
- If the tyres have been regrooved, check that there are no exposed cords and advise the fleet manager immediately as the tyre is unsafe for use.