Workplace transport safety An employers' guide - ARRI Lighting Rental

Health and Safety
Executive
604 Inspections could range from drivers carrying out start-up safety checks before
using the vehicle (such as checking that the tyres are properly inflated) to regular
preventive maintenance inspections carried out based on time or mileage. Each
vehicle you purchase or hire should come with a handbook giving manufacturer’s
guidance on regular maintenance.
605 To help identify problems which may happen while the vehicle is being used,
the driver will need instruction or training on carrying out appropriate checks and
reporting any problems.
606 Employers may find it helpful to give drivers a list of daily checks to sign off for
their vehicles.
607 Planned maintenance is also needed to help prevent failures during use.
608 Planned maintenance should be thorough, regular and frequent enough to
meet the manufacturer’s guidelines and common sense. You should pay special
attention to:
n the braking system;
n the steering system;
n the tyres;
n mirrors and any fittings that allow the driver to see clearly (for example, CCTV
cameras);
n the windscreen washers and wipers;
n any warning devices (for example, horns, reversing alarms or lights);
n any ladders, steps, walkways or other parts that support people or make it
easier for them to access parts of the vehicle;
n any pipes, pneumatic or hydraulic hoses, rams, outriggers, lifting systems or
other moving parts or systems; and
n any specific safety systems (for example, control interlocks to prevent the
vehicle or its equipment from moving unintentionally), racking, securing points
for ropes and so on.
609 Wherever relevant, the following precautions should be taken when maintaining
vehicles:
n brakes should be applied and, where necessary, wheels should be chocked;
n engines should always be started and run with brakes on and in neutral gear;
n raised parts should be suitably propped or supported;
n a way of restraining wheels, such as a tyre cage, should be used when inflating
tyres on split-rim wheels;
n tyres should be removed from wheels before welding, cutting or heating work
begins on a wheel or wheel rim fitted with a tyre, even if the tyre is deflated.
See our guide Hot work on vehicle wheels 22 for further guidance;
n beware of the risk of explosion when draining and repairing fuel tanks, and from
battery gases. Fuel tanks should never be drained or filled when the equipment
is hot or in a confined space, nor should they be drained over a pit;
n take care to avoid short-circuiting batteries. Batteries should be charged in wellventilated
areas. Suitable personal protective equipment should be provided
and used for handling battery acid;
n measures should be taken to prevent maintenance staff from breathing
asbestos dust from brake and clutch lining pads;
n only people who have received the relevant information, instruction and training
should be allowed to carry out maintenance work.
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