Quarry Management Magazine (April 2009) features the tougher penalties issues raised by aide automotive. Find out more at Quarry Management or for more information on products that help businesses overcome issues such as faulty tyres or brakes visit aide automotive.
VOSA have stated that new powers will come into effect later this year, enabling VOSA examiners and the police to issue on the spot penalties for drivers who are breaking the rules!
Fixed penalties and possible points on driver’s licenses will be issued for defects such as faulty tyres and brakes. This emphasises the need for companies to invest in items such as Brake Testers and Tyre Pressure Monitors which will identify any defects rather than leaving discovering these problems to chance. These products reduce risks by avoiding costly repairs and saving lives!
The death of a lorry driver, set alight when a truck overloaded with molten steel slag tipped over, was a “disaster waiting to happen”, a judge has said.
Carl Parsons’ employer, Short Brothers Plant Ltd, admitted breaking health and safety laws and was fined £100,000. Mr Parsons was engulfed in flames when the truck tipped over and the 800C slag ignited diesel spilling from the tank. The 55-year-old father-of-two from Pontprennau, Cardiff, died two days after the accident in April 2002.
Cardiff Crown Court heard Short Brothers had not done proper health and safety checks on its vehicles at its site at the former Allied Steel and Wire (ASW) works on Rover Way, where Mr Parsons was working. The truck had been modified to carry the scorching hot slag. But the extra weight affected the brakes, which were not tested regularly, the court heard.
Sentencing, Judge Gerald Price QC said the accident could have been avoided as Mr Parson’s death happened “following the defendant’s failure to ensure his safety”.
Prosecutor Bryan Thomas described how part of the truck’s rigging was badly maintained and had seized. He said the brakes were capable of working, but to a reduced effect and the chain on the petrol cap had been broken and not replaced.
“The brakes failed as he drove up a slope to release the waste metal. But the truck rolled back and tipped over igniting the truck’s diesel fuel which had escaped through the leaking cap. .
HSE principal inspector Steve Scott said: “This is a most tragic case, and must serve as a warning to all companies engaged in potentially hazardous activities of the need for thorough and robust health and safety measures to protect their employees.”
Faulty brakes are a common cause of accidents not just in the UK. Regular brake testing can help prevent such incidents as;
Sierra Leone
HGV accident in Freetown
At least 4 people died and many others were injured following a lorry collision early on Thursday in east Freetown. Mechanical failure saw an advancing lorry fail to brake, and then collide with a stationary lorry, laden with coal and timber, awaiting fuel. Neither lorry was displaying lights and most of the dead and injured were travelling on the back of one of the lorries. 10th October 2008
Luxembourg
HGV customs checks find shortcomings
In the last week HGV technical inspections at the Mertert customs check point in eastern Luxembourg have revealed 21 vehicles with 34 mechanical failings, primarily brakes, steering and suspension. The deficiencies of 3 German lorries saw them immediately banned and towed back to Germany. One lorry with 54 tonnes was 37% over its legal capacity, another notable finding was the number of drivers failing to adhere to mandatory rest periods. 29th October 2008.
USA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported
That in 2004, 416,000 large trucks were involved in traffic crashes in the U.S., that a total of 5,190 people died (12% of all the traffic fatalities reported in 2004) and an additional 116,000 were injured in those crashes. One out of eight traffic fatalities in 2004 resulted from a collision involving a large truck. In a widely cited study it was reported that brake defects were common and were found in 56% of the tractor-trailers involved in crashes. In the more recent Large Truck Crash Causation Study sponsored by DOT, it was concluded that 29.4% of all large truck crashes involved brake failure, brakes out of adjustment, or other brake related issues.
aide automotive is proud to become the UK distributor for a Tyre Pressure Monitoring product called, PressurePro™.
PressurePro™ is a system that monitors tyre pressure, which alerts the driver through an in cab LCD screen when pressure falls below the recommended PSI. Pressure Pro enables the driver to take corrective action before a dangerous low tyre pressure situation occurs.
Simple to install and easy to operate PressurePro™ is a proactive solution that takes the ownership away from people checking their tyres on a regular basis. This device gives both a visual and audible alert!
Phillip G. Zaroor President, CEO and Founder of Advantage PressurePro states “PressurePro™ has been a huge success in the US and we’re now looking forward to working with aide automotive as the UK Distributor”
Follow this link for testimonials of companies who’ve been using PressurePro™ in the states.
Or contact aide automotive for further information on this product.
Tyres Incorrectly Infated could cost you £150 per year!
AirAlert the money saving gadget
One of the main causes of vehicle breakdowns is dangerous tyres. Both incorrect tyre pressure and tyre tread will cause your vehicle to be unsafe on the road. Not only is it unsafe but the average driver loses £150/yr from driving on under-inflated tyres.
Problems Caused – Under inflation can lead to your tyres overheating. Over inflated tyres will lead to rapid wear of your tyres. If you are caught with illegal tyre tread you will incure a hefty fine of up to £2,500 per tyre.
What to do?
Always keep a spare wheel and jack in your boot, and know how to change a tyre.
Check pressure level of your tyres. To find out what level your tyres should be at take a look at your vehicle handbook or speak to your main dealer.
AirAlert is a fantastic gadget that will alert the driver to a loss of pressure, low cost and with an expected life of up to 4 years this device has a payback opportunity.
aide automotive have introduced a lockable cap for the AdBlue tanks fitted to all trucks.
Following reports of contamination and incorrect fluids being poured into the tank, customers started asking for a cap with lock, with aide automotive’s experience of dealing with anti syphon devices and caps for fuel tanks we were able to quickly source a cap that was perfect for the job. This cap also improves the quality of existing caps as some have been prone to corrosion.
aide automotive’s AdBlue caps can be supplied with single key sets or individual keys. Caps are available for DAF, Scania, Renault, Volvo, MAN, Iveco & Mercedes.
Priced at £35.95 + VAT this cap could save a transport company from downtime due to contamination or hundreds of pounds in workshop time.
Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471
Tests ABS sensors on trucks & trailers
Vehicle Diagnostics are an essential tool in the running of an efficient business. Any workshop requires fast, accurate and effective tools to diagnose faults easily and quickly. A high percentage of brake EBS/ABS faults are around the sensor or the sensor itself.
The EBS/ABS Sensor Master clears 90% of EBS/ABS faults by testing three points of the system, the tester will work on Wabco, Knorr Bremse and Haldex systems. It’s easy to use for any technician wether that be the new apprentice or a time served fitter. Most importantly it saves workshops time and money by diagnosing the route of the problem rather than having to pay for outside diagnostic work.
aide automotive is running a special promotion on the EBS/ABS Sensor Tester for March 09 only!
£205.00 each on any quantity,
Terms and Conditions
Valid until 31 March 2009 for any quantity
VAT not included
Determined to prevent fuel theft becoming a problem for its 250-strong vehicle fleet, R Swain & Sons Ltd recently became the latest large transport company to begin fitting TP Anti Syph units to its vehicles.
Although the company says fuel theft was only an occasional problem that occurred from time to time whilst vehicles were parked-up in lay-bys and truck parks, it was nevertheless keen to stamp it out altogether. The only problem to date with this plan was that it had been unable to find a device that worked effectively and that didn’t interfere with daily operations in the process.
Commenting on the decision, Barry Miller, the company’s Workshop Manager, said: “We were starting to use a competitor product when the TP Anti Syph had claimed to have the solution we were looking for, so we decided to give them a try.
“I was immediately impressed at how easy the TP Anti Syph units were to fit and delighted the units could be quickly transferred from fuel tank to fuel tank without damaging the tank neck. But most of all, I liked the fact that they stopped fuel theft immediately and didn’t in any way interfere with fuel filling operations. We have a fast filling pump here and the units cope well with its speed. There is never any splashback, nor any spillage.
The National Association of Police Fleet Managers Conference and Exhibition is now one of the most important emergency service transport events in Europe.
Matthew Burke Sales Director of aide automotive ltd stated ” to exhibit the miss fuelling device to all the emergency services is a ideal, also we intend of promote all our tyre pressure monitoring devices and our latest driver monitor “Driver Eye”.
aide automotive will be exhibiting the latest Miss Fuelling device for desiel vehicles, the RightFuel is a universal device for most diesel vehicles, simple to fit and 100% prevention of mis fueling the RightFuel is bound to be a hit at the NAPFM.