So… as some of you will know I’ve started a new job this week with a pretty big English Company. It has however raised a couple of questions.
The vehicle that I have been allocated to drive on a regular basis is an 11t box body, on my first day driving this particular vehicle I diligently did my vehicle checks and discovered a large chunk missing from the tyre. Obviously this is glaringly obvious as a problem, I pointed it out to the guy who is “puppy walking” me this week, and who this vehicle has been previously allocated to (he’s retiring). He told me that as non of the fabric is visible its ok… the guys a blithering idiot and instinctively I knew that this wasn’t right. I got back to the depot that night and marked it up in the defect book and retained my copy then verbally spoke to the head of maintenance also.
Thing is… It was my third day with the company, first time in this vehicle and I’m starting to make noises and complaining about things. the thing is, obviously its a defect, but is it serious enough to warrant a refusal to drive the vehicle, is it something that can be attended to at its next check up? I know what you’re all going to say… its my licence that’s at risk etc etc and yes I total agree 100% but as a newly qualified driver having been given the chance to prove myself, politically how do I go about a situation like this. Is it a case of pulling the mechanic aside and asking for advice? But then how do I trust him not to fob me off and not want to increase his work load? the tracking also seems to be off on the opposite side and I’m starting to have concerns about that tyre to. Its due in for its service next Thursday afternoon so I think ill probably monitor it and sit tight until then, but what if a similar situation arises again?
Also my route on a Friday takes me into a very small town with a very clear and unmissable 7.5t weight limit, there is no other access to this shop. The sign does not have any exceptions attached; it is a 24hr no questions asked 7.5t limit and I’m in a vehicle that could possibly pass for a 7.5t but that’s no matter as they are still prohibited. My thoughts are to pull the boss aside and have a quiet word, but if there is no positive response forthcoming… does anybody have any thoughts and how I should continue.
As a newly qualified driver having landed a full time permanent job with zero experience, I don’t wanna start issuing ultimatums as I’m grateful for the opportunity, but at the same time I don’t want to loose my licence.
Ailsa:
P.S. I have a pic of the tyre but cant work out how to upload pics onto this!
upload pics to a hosting site such a photobucket then copy the img link and paste on here
When uploading to such a site check that the size of the pics is not too large - 480x600 seems to be a good size to choose before uploading to the picture hosting site
Newbie or not - if you thinks its unsafe or illegal then take the apropriate action = end of
If the staff at the Stafford hospital had done what was right then there would not be the problems there
hi, glad things are going well for you I can’t really pass an opinion on the tyre without being able to see it
but as for the weight restriction, I assume its in a restricted area and the only way to access it is by going through the restricted zone? if that’s the case, you are fine. just go there as normal. you have the paperwork to prove you are there for loading/unloading and not shortcutting. you won’t have a problem the only exception to this is if you have to cross a weak bridge etc.
Unfortunately some drivers are just plain lazy when it comes to vehicle checks. I always make a song and dance about things that aren’t right before I go out in a vehicle and if it has a defect which could have a serious impact on my licence, I won’t drive it!
If that means I will be late for drop offs, tough luck. If they did their job right in the first place then I’d be able to do mine. Quiet simply if you were in an accident and the result was serious injury or death because of that chunk missing, it would be your ■■■ on the line and you can almost guarantee the company would plead innocence.
If you are not happy with a defect, get the fitter to check it out, then if he’s happy with it get him to sign the defect sheet, if he won’t sign it there’s your answer ‘Don’t take it out’. He’s going to have to fix it before you leave the yard.
The 7.5t weight limit is usually for Nimby’s, but if you’ve got a delivery, you need to go through it, in theory you should go through it at the nearest point to the delivery, taking into account weak bridges, low bridges & width restrictions (8ft wide lorry’s don’t fit through 6’6" restrictions very well ) As long as you’ve got paperwork to prove that you are delivering, you shouldn’t have any problems.
There’s one place I deliver too almost weekly that is down a 6’ 6" width restriction. It’s a bloody tight squeeze in a 8’ 6" wide vehicle. Most of the time I will pull the wing mirrors in slightly to get a little more clearance but so far people have been parking sensibly so its been fine.
martinviking:
The 7.5t weight limit is usually for Nimby’s, but if you’ve got a delivery, you need to go through it, in theory you should go through it at the nearest point to the delivery, taking into account weak bridges, low bridges & width restrictions (8ft wide lorry’s don’t fit through 6’6" restrictions very well ) As long as you’ve got paperwork to prove that you are delivering, you shouldn’t have any problems.
I think you’ve got that wrong, unless it says “except for access” you can’t go through it, the OP stated that the signs didn’t have any exceptions.
martinviking:
The 7.5t weight limit is usually for Nimby’s, but if you’ve got a delivery, you need to go through it, in theory you should go through it at the nearest point to the delivery, taking into account weak bridges, low bridges & width restrictions (8ft wide lorry’s don’t fit through 6’6" restrictions very well ) As long as you’ve got paperwork to prove that you are delivering, you shouldn’t have any problems.
I think you’ve got that wrong, unless it says “except for access” you can’t go through it, the OP stated that the signs didn’t have any exceptions.
Can I nick an “except for access” sign from elsewhere and stick it up myself?
The rules on tyres are pretty generous, you’d be surprised what would get through MOT. Also retread cappings can look pretty messy but doesn’t mean they’re unsafe. I would have to reserve judgement until I saw a picture. The general rule would be a cut or tear which would be deep enough to reach the cords of more than 25mm or 10% of the tread section for an MOT failure, any lumps, bulges or cords visible are a failure regardless of size. What you’re saying is pretty arrogant effectively 'I’ve just started the job but know better than someone who’s spent their career doing it and is retiring presumably without killing themselves or anyone else - this is a fairly good indication they might have half a clue.
VOSA men get a good salary and pension deal I think quite a few new drivers seem a bit too keen on doing voluntary work for them. When drivers bring trucks in, after doing their dailies, it is in reality incredibly rare for the defect to be such as to represent an immediate threat to road safety.
Own Account Driver:
The rules on tyres are pretty generous, you’d be surprised what would get through MOT. Also retread cappings can look pretty messy but doesn’t mean they’re unsafe. I would have to reserve judgement until I saw a picture. The general rule would be a cut or tear which would be deep enough to reach the cords of more than 25mm or 10% of the tread section for an MOT failure, any lumps, bulges or cords visible are a failure regardless of size. What you’re saying is pretty arrogant effectively 'I’ve just started the job but know better than someone who’s spent their career doing it and is retiring presumably without killing themselves or anyone else - this is a fairly good indication they might have half a clue.
VOSA men get a good salary and pension deal I think quite a few new drivers seem a bit too keen on doing voluntary work for them. When drivers bring trucks in, after doing their dailies, it is in reality incredibly rare for the defect to be such as to represent an immediate threat to road safety.
I would appreciate for you to re read my post and see that arrogance was exactly what I was trying to avoid by seeking advice here. As a new driver I have no idea just how strict vosa have the potential to be, I have no idea what is acceptable and what is not, I have all the theory but no real idea how to implement that successfully into practice. If you read the post carefully you will see that I suggested speaking to mechanics informally and asking advice on what I should do in an attempt at seeking knowledge from people more experienced than me, but remaining mindful at being phobed off.
As for doing VOSAs work I find your comments irresponsible. I am liable for prosecution for driving an unfit vehicle, as are the company and if I am unhappy/unsure of something I will defect it and have a paper trail or seek advice till the cows come home for both my and the company’s sake. What would you have me do… Ignore defects/overloads and let VOSA find them for me?
Take time to read and understand a post before making rantable and ever so slightly offensive posts.
Incidentally it was in for its service today and the 3rd party company have confirmed it needs a new tyre. Which will be fitted during the night tonight, by another compmay. So no profit Intrest in a change of tyre. I will endeavour to post a pic.
) As long as you’ve got paperwork to prove that you are delivering, you shouldn’t have any problems.
So the longer it gets taken to fix it the more Im making