4. Road vehicle operations

ROAD VEHICLE OPERATIONS

4.1       Daily Vehicle Checks

4.1.1.   Vehicles must be kept in a safe and roadworthy condition to comply with the Company Operators Licence

4.1.2    Driver must carry out daily walk around checks prior to any vehicle being used and complete the Driver Daily Check Sheet (See ANNEX M)

4.1.3    The completed Daily Check Sheet must be left at the depot. The completed form must not be carried in the vehicle cab

Daily Vehicle Check Procedure

• Oil, Water, Fuel…

• Lights and indicators.

• Tyres and wheels. Tyres must have a minimum tread dept of 3mm.  Check for rust or bright metal around the wheel nuts and report to depot manager.  Ensure all nuts have a plastic indicator attached (please see attached Wheel Loss leaflet from Brake).

• Check quantities of product on board. Utilise fall protection to make manual dip or double check previous days paperwork for that vehicle.  (This is vital if taking over a different tanker from previous day or if someone else had been using the tanker).  Do not just look at the spy glass float.  If your tanker has been pre-loaded by another person please double check volumes on paperwork and grade label indicators.

• Check footvalves and all outlet faucet vales are closed.

• Visually inspect hoses for:

• Weather cracking on hose jacket.
• Deep cuts and abrasions.
• Missing or defective gaskets.
• Blisters on outer rubber jacket.
• Signs of weeping.

• Ascertain which product in hose reel. (If Wet Line System)

• Check loading authority against customer tickets and check that load will fit compartments.

• Check that vehicle can legally carry the weight of the product to load (see weight spreadsheet).

• Ensure that your vehicle is displaying the correct HAZCHEM product codes.
  • 1202 Gas oil and Derv
  • 1223 Kero
  • 1203 Petrol
  • 1978 LPG

• Ensure that the product grade indicators are matching the product grades within the compartments (including hose reel indicator).

• Ensure that the correct ‘Instructions In Writing’ are displayed within your cab.

• Ensure your fire extinguishers are in date and are showing pressure on gauge.

• Ensure that you have all your personal protective clothing. e. overall, safety boots, gloves, hard hat with visor.

• Ensure that the vehicle has a full spill kit on board.

• Wear your seatbelt.

4.2       Vehicle Defect and Rectification Procedure

4.2.1    If a Vehicle Defect is found during the daily walk around checks, the defect should be annotated on the Driver Daily Check Sheet and handed to a supervisor as soon as practical.

4.2.2    The driver must annotate any and all defects found.

4.2.3    If a defect is found on route or at delivery, driver must update the Driver Daily Check Sheet accordingly and hand to the supervisor as soon as practical.

4.2.4    Any defect which deems the vehicle non roadworthy must be rectified before the vehicle is returned to service.

4.3      Vehicle Low Pressure Warning Indicator

4.3.1    Under NO circumstances move or operate vehicle until the low pressure brake audible warning has stopped and the low pressure warning light has gone off.

4.4      Equipment and Fittings

4.4.1    All equipment and fittings must be kept in vehicle external toolbox – NEVER in the cab

4.4.2    Loose items that could cause injury in event of accident must not be carried in cab.

4.5       Semi Trailer Safety

Specific care must be taken when coupling / uncoupling trailer to tractor unit.

4.5.1    When coupling trailer:

1. Check trailer brake (ratchet type or air button) is applied.
2. Reverse tractor unit under trailer and listen for locking mechanism to engage.
3. Check fifth wheel locking mechanism is fully engaged (pull forward in low gear)
4. Apply tractor unit parking brake
5. Visually check fifth wheel is fully engaged and depending on type of mechanism apply safety clip
6. Fully connect all air and electrical lines
7. Wind up landing legs fully and stow handle securely
8. Release trailer parking brake
9. Check all lights and brake operation and listen for air leaks

 4.5.2    When uncoupling trailer:

 Do not drop part-loaded trailer if load is to the front of trailer

 Apply parking brake on tractor unit

1. Disconnect all air and electrical lines and stow away on tractor unit
2. Apply parking brake on trailer, do not rely on emergency air brakes – they will leak air over time.
3. Provide supports under landing legs (i.e. railway sleepers) if on soft ground, wind down landing legs fully and stow handle securely
4. Undo safety clip on fifth wheel and pull out locking mechanism.
5. Pull away from trailer in low gear.

4.6       Roadside Checks – PG9

4.6.1    VOSA (Vehicle & Operator Services Agency) enforcement officers or Police Officers have the authority to stop your vehicle for roadside checks. Inspection is carried out by Vehicle Examiners who check compliance with the following:

1. Roadworthiness of vehicle
2. Drivers Hours
3. Operator and Driver Licensing
4. Documentation
5. ADR Compliance

4.6.2    If after inspection you are issued with a PG9 prohibition notice for the vehicle, immediately contact your Depot Manager; advise of precise terms of PG9 ‘immediate’ or ‘delayed’ and the nature of defect. Your Depot/Manager will contact the Transport Manager who will issue instructions as to the action required.

4.6.3    Equally, you must advise your line manager of any vehicle stop by the police or VOSA enforcement, even if they have passed you and/or the vehicle as fit to carry on with your journey.

4.7       Delivery Hose

4.7.1    Check vehicle hose daily for cuts, bulges, loose fittings/gun, and evidence of leaks.

4.7.2    Use vehicle defect report to notify Supervisor of any defects to hose or fittings.

4.8       Ladders

4.8.1    Ladders are provided on vehicle for access to storage tanks as required.

4.8.2    Driver must check ladder and access route is safe before ladder use.

4.8.3    See Product Delivery Risk Assessment (Annex H) for safe use of ladders.

4.8.4    Ladders to be inspected annually by workshops.

4.9       Signs, Emergency Information & Equipment

4.9.1    Vehicle must display suitable ADR hazard panels for products carried and these must be kept legible and clean.

4.9.2    The vehicle is fitted with a lockable box that contains road transport emergency information, including instructions in writing, for products and additives carried and the Consigners Declaration for products carried.

4.9.3    The hazard panel emergency number displayed must match the details in the instructions in writing.

4.9.4    The following ADR safety equipment must be carried and kept in good working order:

1 x       Wheel chock.
2 x       Self standing reflective warning cones or triangles
1 x       Reflective vest (part of driver P.P.E.)
1 x       Working torch (ATEX standard part of driver P.P.E.)

4.9.5    Any company authorised passenger must also be in possession of:

1 x       Working torch (ATEX standard)
1 x       Reflective vest.

4.10    Fire extinguishers

4.10.1    A minimum of two dry powder fire extinguishers are fitted to the vehicle, one 3kg in the cab and one 9kg mounted on the chassis. A total of 12kg per vehicle is the minimum.

4.10.1    Vehicles are not permitted on the road unless both extinguishers are fitted and available for use and in date. Fire extinguishers must be serviced at least annually by a competent person or supplier.

4.11    Oil Absorbents and Spill Kits

4.11.1    Spill kits is fitted to vehicles, where applicable to contain / clean minor spills. Your onboard spill kit should contain at least the following items:-

• 25 x Pads
• 1 x Sealant Putty
• 4 x Socks
• 2 x Cushion
• 1 x Dammit Putty Drain Mat
• Gloves, Goggles and a bag with ties for contaminated items.

4.11.2    Spill Pads:     Blue or white absorbent pads.  Size 50 x 50 cm.  Each pad should be capable of absorbing 1 litre of oil, which is suitable for:-

• Placing on top of any oil spillage on land or water.
• Placing under minor leaks in pipe work or under leaking drums and machinery.
• Placing on floating oil in contained areas, in front of seals/cushions in burns/ditches, on still ponds, bunds, interceptors, and gullies etc.
• Wiping down oil surfaces.

4.11.3   Spill Cushions:     Grey pillow with eyelet in one corner.  Size 50 x 45 cm.  Each cushion should be capable of absorbing 12 litres of oil, which is suitable for:-

• Placing under leaking pipes and machinery, ruptured drums, etc.
• Placing in vulnerable gullies.
• Placing in manholes, interceptors or deep gullies with rope attached to cushion eyelet.
• Forming containment carriers in small ditches, in drains, etc.
• Collecting large pool of oil on ground, in sumps, etc.

4.11.4  Spill Socks:    White/light blue thin containment booms.  Size 125 x 7.5 cm diameter.  Each sock should be capable of absorbing 3 litres of oil.

4.12    First Aid Kit & Eyewash

4.12.1    First aid kit and eyewash bottles are kept in the vehicle cab.

4.12.2    These items to be checked as part of daily vehicle check, including expiry dates. Used and expired items are to be replaced

4.13    Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

4.13.1  Company Policy

4.13.1.1    It is the intention of the Company to ensure that employees are provided with the necessary equipment to protect them from hazards encountered in carrying out their duties and maintain a safe working environment.

4.13.1.2   The main areas to which these instructions are directed is the filling of  oil/gas tanks, delivery of cylinders or drums and any processes involving lifting, stacking or handling, where such processes could be of a hazardous nature or involve a noisy environment.

4.13.1.3    In addition, all operational staff must wear the “company uniform” bearing the company logo. This promotes a consistent and professional image to customers, visitors to site and the general public.

The wearing of the uniform is mandatory at all times.

4.13.1.4    PPE is issued by the Company at start of employment and replaced when required. However, any items lost by the driver will be replaced and invoiced to driver for payment.

4.13.1.5    Clothing items are issued by the Transport Office.

4.13.1.6   The use and care of PPE is part of driver induction training. Driver PPE is listed below:

Safety helmet (with visor)
Ear defenders
Overalls or trousers / jacket
Safety boots
High visibility vest & jacket
Cold / wet weather clothing
Torch (ATEX standard)

THE COMPANY RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CARRY OUT SPOT CHECKS ON ALL DRIVERS PPE TO ENSURE CORRECT EQUIPMENT IS BEING CARRIED

4.13.1.7    Cleaning of all PPE will be the responsibility of the wearer. Fit tests of all PPE items should be completed where appropriate, and complaints regarding PPE should be registered with the appropriate Manager for investigation.

4.13.1.8    It is the responsibility of all operators referred to in this policy to adhere to the instructions laid down on the wearing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and their Supervisors/Managers to ensure this is implemented and maintained. Designated areas for the wearing of PPE will be signed accordingly, e.g. “Hard Hat Area”, etc, and will be adhered to at all times.

4.13.1.9    The wearing of PPE will be subject to “Mandatory” and “Discretionary” requirements as detailed in this policy. Where mandatory instructions are not observed, disciplinary procedures will be adopted.

4.13.1.10         All PPE issues will be recorded on the Personal Protective Equipment Register. It is the responsibility of the Transport Manager to ensure that there is a register for each member of staff and that it is kept up to date.

Use of PPE – Affected Operations

 

Cylinder / Barrel Loading, coal stacking & Deliveries	Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Discretionary Discretionary Discretionary	Safety footwear Protective gloves Company uniform Hi Viz Jacket / Vest Protective eyewear Safety Helmet Ear defenders
Product Loading	Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Discretionary Discretionary	Safety footwear Protective gloves Company uniform Hi Viz Jacket / Vest Safety helmet Protective eyewear Ear defenders
Oil Deliveries	Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Discretionary Discretionary Discretionary	Safety footwear Protective gloves Company uniform Hi Viz Jacket / Vest Protective eyewear/visor Safety Helmet Ear defenders

4.13.1.11  The nature of this job has a wide variety of operations, and as such, it is difficult to enforce the wearing of certain PPE. However, it is therefore of paramount importance that each and every task is given serious consideration as to the discretionary wearing of additional equipment.

4.13.1.12  Drivers engaged in work on customer/supplier sites, where PPE requirements are more stringent than those listed above, will strictly adhere to local regulations as required.

4.14    Loading & Delivery Paperwork

4.14.1  The following legal documents are held and maintained by the driver.

Consignor’s Declaration – Gives UN Number, Proper Shipping Name, UN Class Packing Group and product descriptions.

Loading note/Bill of laden – Load by grade, Vehicle compartment, Vehicle registration, Driver and date

Delivery ticket – Customer reference and name, Account number and address, Delivery note number, Grade and litres to be delivered, Any special delivery instructions

Loading, collection and delivery running sheet – Date, load details, Vehicle details, Products carried, Transfers / Returns, Distance travelled, Number of deliveries made including ticket number