Documentation left a lot to be desired
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John Geraghty
'North Western LA Roy Hutchings took no disciplinary action against Lancashire civil engineering contractor John Geraghty after hearing of steps taken to improve maintenance and renewed his 0-licence for five vehicles and one trailer.
Geraghty said he had reduced the period between inspections on his four tippers and one low-loader from two months to one month. He was now personally supervising maintenance instead of leaving it to his fitters. He agreed that his documentation had left a lot to be desired.
A vehicle examiner gave evidence that one of three Bolton-based vehilces, stopped in a roadside check, had nine serious defects. As a result, Geraghty was sent a warning letter. Subsequently, a vehicle presented for annual test failed on 18 items; a full test was not completed as some of the items were too dirty.
During his investigation, said the vehicle examiner, he imposed defect notices on three vehicles. He imposed an immediate prohibition on a trailer because a spring centre-bolt had sheered allowing the axle to move forward three-quarters of an inch. and the parking brake cable was broken. A partial examination of a vehicle being prepared for annual test revealed three defects that would have justified an immediate prohibition.
The inspection records did not reflect the true history and condition of the vehicles, he said. No mileages were shown and some dated months previously were in a pristine condition. Fewer defects were shown than one would expect with vehicles on this type of work.