When it comes to keeping Vehicle Maintenance BASIC scores low, vehicle pre-trip and post-trip inspections are crucial. These inspections ensure vehicles are in road-ready condition and help identify problems before they lead to violations or safety issues. Thorough inspections should not be rushed and should take place regardless of the weather and schedules. The following are some best practices related to vehicle pre-trip inspections. Pre-trip inspection protocols should occur before every trip, but will vary depending on the type of vehicle, location, company and requirements. Best practices include checking the functionality and condition of:
- Service brakes, trailer brake connections, parking/hand brake
• Steering mechanism
• Lighting devices and reflectors
• Tires
• Horn
• Windshield wipers
• Rear vision mirrors
• Coupling devices
• Wheels and rims
• Emergency equipment
• Safety equipment
After the trip is completed, the post-trip inspection protocol should be identical to the pre-trip inspection protocol, and the driver should fill out a driver vehicle inspection report (DVIR). In addition to the driver, the technician and the next driver should sign off on the report. The organization should create a binder for each vehicle’s DVIRs and keep it in the truck or they can use app-based technologies such as a mobile safety inspection software app to support this process. Post-trip inspections are just as important as pre-trip inspections in minimizing potential issues and maximizing safety.
Get Management Involved
Vehicle Pre-trip and post-trip inspection protocols are more effective when drivers, mechanics and management are actively involved. Management should make inspections a priority by holding regular safety meetings and demonstrations that are understandable to all participants. Management can consider implementing an incentive and/or discipline system to ensure that comprehensive pre-trip and post-trip inspections are routine.
Vehicle Pre-trip and post-trip inspections do not replace preventative maintenance schedules. Preventative maintenance programs must be reviewed and adjusted regularly to remain effective. Managers of preventive maintenance programs should seek input from stakeholders to discover what is and what is not working.
Keeping Insurance Costs Low
Clearly, there are significant benefits to keeping your carrier’s Vehicle Maintenance BASIC scores low. Pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspection programs constitute a significant component of Vehicle Maintenance BASIC scores. Vehicle Pre-trip and post-trip inspections help keep vehicles in service, lower BASIC scores, cause fewer accidents and lower commercial automobile insurance costs.
To ensure your organization receives the best risk management advice and access to commercial automobile insurance coverage, you should work closely with your trusted insurance
and risk management advisors. Your advisor can help manage your insurance strategies, help with your risk management programs, provide information on compliance and legislative updates, and suggest ways to reduce commercial insurance costs.
IMEC Technologies provides Safety Management Software to increase worker safety and aid compliance. IMEC’s Safety Management Software will manage inspections and audits, provides hazard identification, incident reporting, management of corrective and preventative actions from generation to closure. IMEC provides lock out tag out software solutions that will allow users to create lockout tagout procedures using an intuitive Mobile App and Manage Lockout Tagout Procedures, also the Review and Execution of those Lockout Tagout Procedures using the Mobile App. Annual Lockout Tagout Procedures audits are conducted using a Mobile App. The Mobile Inspection App allow users to perform inspections and audits, for example the system can be used as a Fire Extinguisher Barcode Inspection Software system to manage monthly fire extinguisher inspections and general fire safety inspections and also to record safety observations and manage corrective actions, anywhere and anytime. The solution can be used as a fire extinguisher barcode inspection software system or life safety inspection system to aid compliance in Higher Education, Healthcare, Industrial and Commercial Organizations. Benefits from a Fire Extinguisher Barcode System include the elimination of paperwork and reducing the burden of compliance with regulations such as NFPA, The Joint Commission. The Incident Reporting App allows users to easily and quickly report incidents, hazards and near-misses, these are then sent to the appropriate people for action and are managed to closure. Web Apps provide features such as, setup, management, scheduling tools, analysis, reporting and dashboards etc with the ability to report incidents to government bodies such as OSHA and RIDDOR. HazMat T&T is a hazardous waste management software solution designed for Environmental Service Companies and companies who generate a large quantity of hazardous waste. The solution tracks hazardous waste from cradle to grave aiding compliance, providing accurate waste inventory, increasing waste handling efficiency, reducing risk and also helps manage waste costs. HazMat T&T Hazardous Waste Management Software can be deployed in a number of deployment scenarios, from Large Hazardous Waste Generators, tracking their hazardous waste at their site to Environmental Service and Waste Management Companies using it track and manage hazardous waste at transfer and disposal sites. For more information visit our website www.imectechnologies.com