ANY QUESTIONS?
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QHaving spent the past 20 years in road transport as a HGV I night driver and the past two years as a transport night supervisor and tachograph officer, I feel as though I've come to the crossroads in my working life.
I am 40 years of age, and I think I still have a lot to offer. I would like to work within the Department of Transport, preferably within the tachograph hours enforcement area. I don't know what qualifications are required or age limits the Ministry excepts.
I hold my CPC certificate, but I feel I am in need of a challenge. Could you give me any information regarding where to apply and what qualifications are required? In my area, I never see the Dip advertising for enforcement officers. My main concern now is my age, I have a well-paid job as a night supervisor and yet I lack job satisfaction.
GC, Stoke-on-Trent.
AThe requirement of Traffic Examiners is handled, ironically enough, by the Vehicle Inspectorate. I do not think that you are too old at 40, but for more information write to Traffic Examiners Personnel Department, The Vehicle Inspectorate, Berkley House, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, Avon or phone (0272) 661419.
QI am a driver and my company has refused to fit reversing bleepers or any other reversing devices. I want them to because I am worried that I will be liable if I run over someone while reversing my van. Please advise me. KL, Coventry.
AA reversing alarm is defined as a device fitted to a motor vehicle and designed to warn persons that the vehicle is reversing or is about to reverse. There is no require ment to fit reversing alarms, but if they are fitted they must not be strident, and need not emit a continuous sound.
The responsibility for safe reversing is entirely yours, and you would be liable if negligence could be proved. I would have hoped that in the interests of road safety your employer would have them fitted.
QI deliver regularly to a warehouse where there is a great deal of open storage of salts and similar products. When its windy the air is full of a bitter tasting substance — many of the other drivers complain but the warehouse company seems disinterested.
GH, Basildon AIts disinterest will cost it dearly. The company is committing an offence under the "Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1989". I suggest you report it to the local Health & Safety Executive office.
QCould you set a few things straight for me. I sat and passed my CPC on 23 June, 1989, But I understand there has been a few changes since then. Could you please let me know what they are. As an agency driver! find it a little difficult to get accurate knowledge, especially regarding driving hours. As! also have a HGV I licence. I wish to improve my job prospects by obtaining a Hazchem and Hazpak certificate.
Could you tell me if a home study course is recognised by haulage companies or the RTITB as they are much cheaper (as agency work doesn't pay much). If so, have you the names and addresses of such companies? Also, does a Hazchem Hazpak certificate need to be renewed at certain intervals? RD, Mid-Glamorgan. A Hazfreight certificates are issued following attendance at an approved training course, which cannot be undertaken as a correspondence course. There are recognised courses at authorised centres, details of which can be obtained from your local training agency or RHA office.
It is recognised that occasional refresher courses are undertaken, although this is not compulsory.
QLost Wheels! In the last year we have lost two sets of twins. The first set was on the A34 — fortunately no one was hurt but the strange thing is that the wheels came off at 20:30hrs and I checked the wheel nuts myself in the yard at 14:30hrs the same afternoon.
I always torque the nuts to the manufacturers specifications. The other set came off in a tip when the vehicle was travelling at about lOmph. It was a different type of vehicle and again the wheel nuts had been checked by our fitter the night before.
Why do we and others A There are situations under which a taxi can become a PSV. However, under normal circumstances driving a private vehicle which is non-PSV or HGV does not count towards driving time.
Your employer, while adopting internal disciplinary policies, which it is perfectly entitled to do so, is wrong in stating that your driving of a taxi or minicab counts towards drivers' hours.
have to be put at risk? If the problem is a widespread one, as alleged, then why don't our lawmakers legislate on wheel nut fixings.
DRH, Sunderland AThree years ago I became very involved in the "Lost Wheel Mystery" and had a number of wheels and studs tested for fatigue and elemental degradation. The results were inconclusive. Commercial Motor needs voluntary funds for further research.
The EC shied away from the problem but I personally would like to see all European truck and trailer manufacturers set up a joint working party to solve the problem once and for all.