1991 AGN JAN 03 I14 - Laserfiche WebLink

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operation. Questionab{e steering, suspension, brakes, or connecting devices are not to be continued in service for the purpose of "forcing a failure" in order to diagnose its cause.) Supervisors should continue training drivers in vehicle inspection and improving the skills of both drivers and mechanics in working with one another. necessary in any preventive maintenance program. Good communication between drivers, mechanics, and supervisors is absolutely Poor communication, or worse, personal f~icti.on between those personnel can virtually shut down the best preventive maintenance program, sending maintenance costs higher while producing inadequate results. DRIVER'S DAILY VEHICLE_ INSPECTION A driver need not be a mechanic or even mechanically -inclined to be a valuable part of the company's preventive maintenance pr -gram. Persons with no more knowledge of a motor vehicle than how to -drive =t often notice when a strange noise develops, or when the brakes feel differ6A from normal, or that it has become harder to steer in one direction than in the other. These are all examples of clues that the condition of the vehicle is changing. The driver shouldreport any unusual conditions to the mechanic or to his supervisor, so that a knowledgeable person can look into the matter. For this reason, 13 CCR 1215 (a) requires drivers of trucks and buses to inspect their vehicles prior to operation each day to determine that they are in safe condition, are equipped as required, and that the required equipment is working properly. There is no official list of items to inspect for most vehicles, except certain buses. Spelling out what to inspect in most cases is the responsibility of the employer. Drivers are not normally expected to perform an in-depth inspection such.as a mechanic would do, but certain items can be inspected by drivers without their having to receive extensive mechanical training. 13 CCR 1215 (a) reads, in part: 1215. Vehicle Condition. It shall be unlawful for the driver to drive a vehicle that is not in safe operating condition or is notequippedas required by all provisions of law and this subchapter. The driver is specifically responsible for the following: (a) Daily Inspection. Prior to operation, the driver shall inspect each vehicle daily to ascertain that it is in safe condition, it is equipped as required by all provisions of law, and all equipment is in good working order. The requirement to Perform a daily pretrip inspection applies to all drivers i of all vehicles, listed in 34500 CVC, without exception. Thereis no legal ' provision for this task to be delegated to someone other than the driver, such) as to a mechanic who may arrive at work early to start all of the trucks or + buses and "check them out". There is nothing wrong with having a mechanic or j 2-7 HPG 84.6