CHAINS ALREADY?Posted by Kevin Snobel at 06:44 AM
That's correct folks they are already required on trucks going out west. Yes the driver has to have them they have to know how to put them on correctly, and of course the company if the truck has your name on it, should be supplying the chains.
Chains though are only 1 of many things we should be doing at this time of year. Just like changing the battery in your smoke detector at home, it should be second nature to prepare the trucks for WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS. Show the drivers and retrain them again and again on ADVERSE DRIVING CONDITIONS, Spend the money and REPLACE EVERY WINDSHIELD WIPER ON EVERY TRUCK, FILL UP EVERY TRUCK WITH WINTER WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID. ENSURE YOU HAVE A LOT OF EXTRA WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID IN THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY, HAVE THE MECHANICS CHECK EVERY TIRE EVERY TIME A TRUCK GOES THROUGH THE SHOP. HAVE THE MECHANICS TALK WITH THE DRIVERS.
The drivers are in the truck every day. They know of have a pretty good idea what is wrong. They put their lives at risk every day in the truck. They are on the road every day. Positive reinforcement can never be beat. Listen to them, fix what they concerns are, at the same time do a little and let them know what was done without them having to ask. Oh by the way WE TOPPED OFF YOUR WINDHSIELD FLUID WITH THE NEW WINTER WASHER FLUID THAT IS OUT. Oh by the way your right rear inside Tractor tire was a little low on air we put it in and checked all the tires for you. Soon it becomes second nature not just for the drivers but for the maintenance people as well.
For all of the Fleets CSA 2010 has started to enforce infractions, even the most minor to raise infractions numbers against even the best of fleets out there.U.S. D.O.T. enforcement agents are out there doing everything they can to find problems. Do what ever you can to avoid any problems.
Comments
I've been running B.C. since 76, and have never been asked to see tire chains. I've been ask twice now since Oct 1st at the Kamloops west scale.
Posted by: Doug Brown | October 17, 2010 09:42 PM
U.S. D.O.T. enforcement agents ? I have been inspected in several U.S. states but the Ontario M.O.T. inspectors are much more strict and unreasonable when determining when to put a vehicle out of service .
Posted by: Rick Gaskill | October 19, 2010 03:29 AM
Doug, Thanks for the information, as Most I beleive think I am just rambling on. However folks, here is the proof. Rick, there is no doubt in my mind or many of my peers Ontario are the worst/best at enforcement practices.
I guess the adage if we pull you over you must have something wrong, or the truck just does not look maintained, stands to reason. I participated in ROADCHECK 2010 and went to the weigh scales, and participated in the Inspections. Once properly trained what the inspectors find, I am quite honestly glad they do. I do not want 80,000 lbs of truck behind me with some of the defects that continue to be found. It is a shame though that our system does not mirror the U.S. and the Inspectors can see a Canada wide, company wide history. After all they are really only going to get the BAD ONES AREN'T THEY?
Posted by: Kevin Snobel | October 20, 2010 06:59 AM
Not about preparing for winter but rather CSA 2010. By now many carriers have heard about it but have they conveyed the message to the drivers or are they leaving that up to to he CB Radio, Truck Stop Lawyers and of course the trucking publications.
In your previous comment you mentioned a reason for pulling the trucks over or the the legal term of "Reasonable Cause". Some of the common reasons might be defective lights, a driver drifting on the road, speeding, poor tire conditios or a wobbley wheel.
There is always the old truck that looks like it is going to fall apart at the next pot hole as well. Another one that I do not think anyone has give too much thought to is the fuel spilled all over the fuel tank! If I were an inspector I would have to be concerned is this a fuel leak? Or is this a driver that does not take pride in his/her job.
For your sake, the benifit of the carier whose name is on th truck and the people you share your workplace with please make sure your truck is safe/
Posted by: Mike Kroestch | October 22, 2010 10:08 AM