lets do this is plain english
a driver reports a defect (door hinges need replaceing)
6 weeks go by and it is still not fixed
VOSA pull the vehicle for a spot check and identify this fault
NOW WHAT?
does the driver get in trouble or will VOSA go straight to the TM about this?
[removed before I get into trouble] 
What hinges unit or trailer■■?
I would of said if it was unit door hinges they must of been in very very poor condition for Vosa to pick up on them unless they were tipped off, Or if it was trailer hinges then they was of been swinging about for vosa to have seen them in which case the driver shouldnt have took the vehicle out
Either way if its been reported in the defect book its down to the Tm
simon
SimonRS2K:
What hinges unit or trailer■■?I would of said if it was unit door hinges they must of been in very very poor condition for Vosa to pick up on them unless they were tipped off, Or if it was trailer hinges then they was of been swinging about for vosa to have seen them in which case the driver shouldnt have took the vehicle out
Either way if its been reported in the defect book its down to the Tm
simon
Nooooooooo 
, Scanny wouldn’t have dropped it into the conversation …
drivers door hinge. i got stuck at a drop because the door weight has pulled the hinges down which has caused wear and tear on the door catch. this particular day, the catch wouldnt…catch! i couldnt close the door and since i was on a customers premises in banbury, i put a couple of ratchets on the door and drove to cherwell valley. rescue bloke came out, did a temp repair and noted the fact that the hinges needed replacing (common fault apparently). i finished the rest of the day and expected the work to be carried out. that was around 7 weeks ago now and the door is still hanging down. it was a temporary repair and it still hasnt been fixed.
there is a chance that this (among god knows how many other faults in our fleet) WILL be brought to light as the union rep is talking about a drivers strike. normally he doesnt bother with us but this time he wants to involve the drivers from both sides, not just bulk.
where do the drivers stand with situations like this? ie we are driving vehicles that have defects outstanding. i know one of the rigids has no way of pulling the curtains fully tight as the mechanism is knackered on both curtains
Why don’t you just leave Scanny? You’re clearly not going to change anything there and are obviously unhappy so instead of moaning, just leave and get a job elsewhere? 
i am NOT heading this one. the union rep is! i am concerned about the repercussions on my colleagues and myself so i am asking where we stand. if you cant answer constructively (or even relevantly), dont bother!
scanny77:
did a temp repair
Scanny just so you know when a fitter tells you its a “temporary” repair what he really means is when it breaks again thats when he might renew it unless he can get away with another “temporary” botch
scanny77:
expected the work to be carried out.
Expected and fitter should never be used in the same sentance
scanny77:
union rep
Dont trust one of these people ever they are only in the job for their own benefit 
simon
Scanny
according to VOSA’s Categorisation of Defects book a door with badly worn hinges such that it is not possible to close it securely or it is likely to fly open will attract an Immediate Prohibition. If the Examiner feels that the defect should have been spotted by the driver on their walk around check then the Prohibition could be ‘S’ marked to show a serious failure of the maintenance system. This usually gets’ the TMs attention BIG STYLE as it usually results in a visit from the man with the little hammer.
As far as the driver is concerned there shouldn’t be too much problem, but the question has to be asked as to why people were using the vehicle in that condition?
quite simple Geebee, it did go wrong, it was given a quick roadside repair and that is how it stands now. the door does close properly at the moment but that temp repair will not last forever and next time it does go, it may not be a simple roadside job. the hinges need replacing and now the door catch has worn due to the extra stress of the extra work caused by the door hanging slightly too low at the open end. they will not fix it as they cannot afford to lose the unit. the way i see it, leaving it will create a bigger problem and therefore it will mean even more downtime while parts are ordered, delivered, time to fit them etc. whereas at the moment, they could book it in and have it off the road for less than a day. hey, what do i know? im just a driver
Even if it has been reported already in a defect book you should now keep reporting it until someone (TM or Fitter) signs the defect book as repair done and vehicle fit for road. If you are still in doubt over road worthiness of the vehicle then VOR the wagon and refuse to take it out until a fitter has said it is safe to use. Don’t take the TM’s word for it, not many are trained fitters!!! Remember you will get a fine from VOSA as well as the company, but I bet they won’t pay it for you!!
its easy enough to spot mate. when you close the door as far as just touching the body, it doesnt line up properly and it lifts when you push it shut. at the moment, it is safe but for how long? the original fault caused a problem which rendered the vehicle undriveable, THAT was repaired but the original problem hasnt. the door needs new hinges and i dont know if it will be roadside repairable next time it goes. you can only bodge when you have something there to work with, once its worn away, tough!
You really have to forget about the past history of it and think is it safe at the moment? If it is not then VOR it and refuse to take it out. If it is safe to drive at the present time and in its present state for the duration of your shift then drive it. If you think it may fail during your shift then refuse to take it out until a fitter has seen it and ok’d it. Basically CYA (cover your arse) but don’t drive it if you think it is unsafe. There really is not much else you can do, you can’t force them to take preventitive measures.
We have numerous “little” faults that have been on the trucks for a while. They are put in the defects report book, and eventually get done in a batch.
I would agree with reporting it EVERY time the vehicle is used. I know I will probably get slammed for that but I should be doing it myself really…
i was under the understanding that by law if a defect report was made out 3 times for the same thing it had to be fixed.
or pretend you fell out of the lorry cos the door swung open have a couple of weeks on the sick put it in the accident book and i guarantee when you go back your hinges will be fixed.
jessicas dad said;
i was under the understanding that by law if a defect report was made out 3 times for the same thing it had to be fixed.
Afraid not so. Although some things will get fixed quicker than others, especially if the TM thinks that a PG9 will be heading his way!!