COMMENT
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"Careless torque cost lives", says a new leaflet produced by the Department of Transport in association with a major trade organisation. Loss of wheels has been a problem to HGV and PCV operators for many years. The new leaflet contains 10 tips on the maintenance of wheel fixings; wise operators will obtain a copy of the leaflet and incorporate its requirements into their maintenance schedules. Whether the requirements are correct may be open to question, but operators should expect little sympathy from the Traffic Commissioners or magistrates if they do not comply with the leaflet's recommendations. These include requiring drivers to check wheel fixings with "a torque wrench, a socket and short bar or maybe by striking the nuts with a small hammer. If the driver is responsible for the check, make sure that he or she is properly trained." Operators should note this and act accordingly!