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Some of the common faults detected by RSA vehicle

CAR inspectors during roadside checks include braking
defects, damaged wheels and tyres, faulty lights,
DAILY VEHICLE PRE CHECKS INFORMATION leakages and visible suspension and chassis defects.
The majority of these faults could have been found
and fixed, if the driver had conducted a vehicle pre-
There are approximately 2.5 million vehicles in check before use. The check only takes a few
national fleet in Ireland. As vehicles age they are minutes. Make sure that obvious vehicle defects
subject to wear and tear and unless attended to at that could affect vehicle safety and the safety of
regular intervals, this will eventually result in unsafe others are identified. It makes sure that vehicles are
vehicles and breakdowns. In addition, between 6- not at risk of breakdown or being delayed at a
8% of collisions causing injury in Ireland are caused roadside check. It makes sure that a reliable service
by vehicle defects. Most defects that occur on can be delivered to customers and that workers can
vehicles are maintenance related and are therefore complete journeys safely and on time.
preventable.
Business Benefits
What the Law Requires
The price of correcting unexpected vehicle failure is
Road Traffic legislation requires that vehicles are always higher than the cost of preventing that
maintained in a roadworthy condition and safe failure in the first place.
when in use on a public road. So whether you own,
lease, hire or borrow a vehicle for work purposes, Well maintained vehicles give both business and
you must make sure that it is safe for use and fit for safety benefits. Vehicles that are well maintained
the purpose for which it is intended. and regularly checked:

Under Health and Safety Legislation, a vehicle is a  are more reliable

place of work. The law requires that workplaces are
maintained in a condition that is safe and without  are cheaper to run
risk to safety and health. Vehicles must be kept safe
and fit for purpose and the driver must be able to  have higher residual value
get in and out of the vehicle safely. Employers must
The direct business benefits are;
make sure that drivers are familiar with the vehicle
they are driving and that they have been given  less downtime
appropriate instruction, information and training to
carry out required pre-checks in the correct and  better fuel efficiency
safe manner.
 more reliable customer service
Employers must also make sure that they have a
defect reporting system in place so that when  longer vehicle life span
defects are found that they are rectified. Drivers
should never be required to drive under conditions  reduced transport costs
that are unsafe or that do not comply with the law.
 better company/brand image
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Safety benefits include: anyone. If specific items are checked daily on

vehicles, it will help to identify obvious vehicle
 improved driver safety defects. When conducting pre-checks, it’s important
for the driver to follow a routine so that they don’t
 safer driver working environment miss any items. When conducting the checks, wear
(workplace) a high visibility vest or jacket and look out for other
vehicles. People being hit or run over by vehicles are
 less collisions
one of the main causes of workplace fatalities.
 fewer injuries to the driver, passengers and Each driver must be satisfied that their vehicle is
other road users safe to operate and free from defects. Any defects
found should be recorded and reported to the
Preventative Maintenance
employer or the responsible person so that
All employers, fleet operators and owner drivers appropriate action can be taken. Any safety critical
should have a vehicle preventative maintenance defects must be rectified before the vehicle is used
system in place. The aim of the system is to on the road.
maintain a high standard of roadworthiness and
The Checks
identify any vehicle defects, damage or problems at
an early stage before they become a safety issue or It is suggested that the vehicle is checked in one
a major cost. Regular planned vehicle maintenance direction covering the following main items:
will make sure that vehicles are maintained on a
year round basis and not just prepared once a year  Lights, windows and mirrors
for their annual roadworthiness tests.
 Tyres
Vehicle pre-checks, are a crucial part of any vehicle
preventative maintenance system. The driver is  Lights
often the first person to notice that there is a
problem and it’s far easier to fix a problem in  Fluids
premises rather than out on the road. Driver pre-
checks should be incorporated into daily work  Instruments
routines. It is recommended that employers prepare
their own vehicle checklist to take account of the  Car internal checks
type and level of use of their vehicles. Every driver
Check that the vehicle is sitting square and not
should carry out a check before they start their first
leaning to one side. Switch on the hazard lights to
journey in the vehicle each day. Where more than
show that there is someone working around the
one driver is using a vehicle in a day, the second
vehicle and that the lights are working. Check that
driver should conduct the same check before they
the driver’s mirrors are clean, secure and not
use the vehicle.
damaged. Check that wheels are in good condition,
As a driver, by law, you must make sure that any with no cracks or damage and that they are secure.
vehicle you drive on a public road is maintained and
Is there any damage to the tyres such as bulges,
used so that it is unlikely to cause a danger to
cracks, cuts or tears? Are they correctly inflated
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with appropriate tread depth? Tyres should have indicators are working. Check that the safety chain
sufficient tread and should not be worn to the is in place. Check that the hand brake is released
extent that the tread indicator contacts the road and that the dolly wheel is raised and secured.
surface. Check thread depth with a simple gauge.
The legal minimum tyre tread depth for vehicles is Make sure that all vehicle access is in good
1.6mm but tyres should be replaced before this. condition.
Refer to the manufacturer’s handbook for specific
information about obtaining best performance from Check the door and mirrors on the passenger side.
your vehicle. Check the windscreen washer reservoir cap for
security. Lift the bonnet and check the engine fluid
Is the exhaust secure? Make sure that the fuel tank levels. Engine fluid levels should be between the
cap is securely in place and that the cap seal is in minimum and maximum marks. Look underneath
good condition and is not leaking. Walk around the the vehicle for any signs of fluid leaks such as oil or
vehicle in one direction and check that all required coolant. Check the wipers for wear.
lights, reflectors and markings are fitted, clean and
in good condition. Check the vehicle bodywork and Check that valid tax, insurance and NCT discs (if
wings for damage. Make sure that body panels are required) are correctly displayed on the windscreen.
secure and not liable to fall off and create a hazard
Make sure that the seat and steering wheel are set
for other road users and that the bodywork has no
for comfort, posture and safety and that all controls
sharp edges.
can be easily reached. Check your driving lights.
Make sure that the number plates are fitted in the
Check that there is good visibility through all
correct position, clean and that the registration is
windows and mirrors and that there are no cracks
clearly visible and appropriately lit.
or damage. For example, is vision obstructed by any
If carrying a load or goods in or on [roof rack] the stickers or pendants? Check that the car interior is
vehicle, check that it is adequately secured, unlikely clean and that there are no loose items which could
to move, that the vehicle is not overloaded. Check cause you injury if vehicle had to brake in an
the manufacturer’s guidelines for maximum load emergency.
capacity for the vehicle. Check the load restraints
Check that the windscreen washer operates, the
for damage, wear and tear such as fraying straps,
jets are aimed correctly and that the washer bottle
cuts or tears and replace as necessary.
level warning light is not showing. Check that the
For overhanging loads, carried on roof rack, make wipers work correctly and that that the mirrors are
sure that the load does not protrude more than 3 all correctly aligned and the heater element
metres from the body of the vehicle and that it is operates. Do the demister, interior heater, interior
marked with an appropriate and visible flag to warn lights and horn all operate correctly?
other road users.
Check that all instruments, gauges and warning
Where a trailer is in use, the registration number of devices are operating correctly and following their
the vehicle must be displayed at the rear of the correct sequence, including the ABS and EBS in car
trailer. Check that the trailer coupling is secure and warning lights. If any warning lights remain on after
that the electrics are connected and the lights and start up, report them, and don’t ignore them.
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Apply the foot brake, release the parking brake and Further information
check that there is no pressure drop. Is there
excessive smoke or noise from the exhaust? The Health and Safety Authority, the Road Safety
Authority and An Garda Síochána have developed a
Before driving off, check that the steering and series of resources to help employers learn more
brakes are working correctly. about and manage vehicle risks. They include
vehicle walk-around check posters, check lists and
Continue to monitor vehicle’s roadworthiness as it instructional videos.
is driven. Check that the speedometer is working
and can be seen from the driving position. If The vehicle checks resources can be downloaded
applicable, make sure that the ABS or EBS lights do from the following websites:
not remain on after their check sequence is
complete. An Garda Síochána: www.garda.ie
Health & Safety Authority: www.hsa.ie
Recording of Defects Road Safety Authority: www.rsa.ie

Record and report any defects in accordance with Examples of the checks poster and checklist are
employer’s defect reporting systems. Remember attached on following pages.
any safety critical items must be repaired or the
vehicle must be taken out of service. Records of all
checks, repairs and services should be kept for the
vehicle. Analysis of the records may highlight a
pattern or history to the vehicle, re-occurring
defects or poor maintenance repair standards.

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