Haulier showed 'irresponsible attitude towards safety' LA
Page 26
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
AHAULAGE operator who made no serious attempt to maintain his vehicles in a safe condition had shown "a totally irresponsible attitude" towards their safety, said the East Midlands Licensing Authority, Mr. C. M. Sheridan, last week.
He was giving a decision after a public inquiry on whether a B licence granted to Manor Transport Ltd., of Sandiacre, Derbyshire, should be revoked, suspended or curtailed.
Mr. Sheridan said that bearing in mind that the licence-holder, Mr. Hedley Shaw, had now obtained new premises with better maintenance facilities "the case will be met by a severe warning".
He would also suspend the licence of one of the lorries with immediate effect until such time as proper maintenance facilities, including facilities for preventive maintenance, were provided for Mr. Shaw's fleet.
Mr. Sheridan said that despite a warning in July 1966, Mr. Shaw had no system of preventive maintenance and had confined his attention to the repair of defects pointed out by his drivers.
Mr. Shaw had explained his failure to detect serious defects affecting the brakes and steering by the absence of any pit or ramp on his premises. But, said Mr. Sheridan, he made no attempt to obtain such facilities elsewhere.
He added: "In my view, and bearing in mind that the operator has been in the haulage industry for some 20 years, he has shown a totally irresponsible attitude towards the safety of his vehicles."