If your delivery work requires you to operate heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), it’s important that they are in tip-top shape each and every time you drive them. This means that you should complete a pre-drive check before you begin your journey – and yes, you should do this prior to every trip you take. Taking a few extra minutes to give both the inside and outside of your lorry a once-over will ensure that you are driving safely and prevent serious issues from developing without your knowledge.
Wondering what you should put on your checklist? The rest of this article will give you a cheat sheet so you can make sure everything goes without a hitch.
Outside
Before you begin your deliveries you should check the outside of your vehicle. As you walk towards your HGV, make sure that it appears to be level, that there are no leaking fluids and that the trailer is connected. You should also keep an eye on the following:
Inside
Once the outside of your lorry is deemed up to scratch and has been cleared for delivery work, it’s time to check the inside of your cab. Make sure that:
Make a List
It’s a good idea to make a list of what you will need to check before you head off to complete your delivery work. That way, each time you check to make sure your HGV is running up to scratch, you can be sure you won’t accidentally forget to have a look at something.
If your job requires you to operate an HGV to complete your delivery work, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Make yourself a list of all the things you need to check before you drive off (and feel free to add on any more specifics you’d like) and always remember to go through them before each and every trip. Those few extra minutes could be all you need to catch a potential problem and nip it in the bud.
Author Plate
Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry. Connecting logistics professionals across the UK and Europe through their website, Haulage Exchange provides services for matching delivery work with available drivers, and is now the fastest growing Freight Exchange in the UK.