TC warns new firm over ‘S’ prohibition
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Haulage business told that TC pays particular attention to ‘S’-marked prohibitions issued to new operators
By Roger Brown
A HAULAGE FIRM has received a warning from a Trafic Commissioner (TC) after one of its trucks picked up an ‘S’-marked prohibition for having insecure wheel nuts, an underinlated tyre, and holed and leaking exhaust.
In a written decision, following a public Inquiry (PI) in Edinburgh in May and June, Joan Aitken, TC for Scotland, said any future O-licence application from MAP Plant and Vehicle Hire, based in Bathgate, West Lothian, seeking an increase in vehicles would be “scrutinised very carefully”.
The company, which employs three mechanics, was granted a licence for three vehicles and one trailer in September 2009.
MAP picked up the ‘S’-marked prohibition in October 2010, following a VOSA check.
A delayed prohibition was also issued to one of the irm’s vehicles in February 2011 for having fractured brake discs.
Director Marc Allan told the inquiry the company recognised the potential for outright wheel loss that the ‘S’marked prohibition had lagged up, and that it took safety very seriously.
An adverse VOSA maintenance investigation found that the wheel security defect should have been detected by the driver at his walk round check.
According to Allan, the driver was disciplined, and subsequently dismissed following use of a vehicle with inoperable rear lights.
The company has now put in place new wheel torqueing procedures and driver awareness training systems. An extra paid 15 minutes has also been added to the drivers’ day for daily walkround checks of the vehicles.
Allan said all three current full-time drivers had been booked to attend a training course in September, and the company provides regular toolbox talks.
From time to time, the mechanics will randomly select one of the vehicles to see if there are any defects that a walkround check should have spotted.
The TC said that in issuing her warning, she wanted to be assured that new operators such as MAP know that licence undertakings are more than a tick box on an application form and are there to secure road safety and vehicle roadworthiness.
She added: “This operator is in the irst year of operation and I pay particular attention to ‘S’-marked prohibitions when issued to new operators. I also want to be assured that the operator understands the regulated environment into which the operator has entered.
“However, any variation seeking an increase in authorisation will be scrutinised very carefully in relation to vehicle and driver encounters, and annual test pass rate. Favourable consideration will be assisted if there is proof of actual attendance at the [training] course and any other evidence the operator pro-actively can provide to show commitment to compliance.”