A work vehicle can look fine and still be unsafe to use.
A damaged tire, bad brake, broken light or missing safety device can put the driver, crew and everyone around the vehicle at risk. That is why a workplace vehicle safety inspection should happen before the vehicle goes into service.
Rig Right Texas Safety Program students practice completing a vehicle inspection. They walk around the vehicle, look under the hood, inspect the cab and discuss what should be documented or reported.
This is more than checking boxes. Workers need to understand what they are looking for and what to do when they find a problem.
Work vehicles are used around employees, equipment and active jobsites. A problem that seems small in the parking lot can become dangerous once the vehicle starts moving.
According to OSHA, transportation incidents account for a large share of occupational fatalities. Vehicle inspections and maintenance can help prevent injuries caused by unsafe vehicles.
For construction vehicles covered by 29 CFR 1926.601, OSHA requires vehicles to be checked at the beginning of each shift. The listed parts and equipment must be in safe operating condition and free from apparent damage that could cause failure during use.
OSHA also states that identified defects must be corrected before the vehicle is placed in service.
Workers and employers can review the full requirement in OSHA Standard 1926.601.
The exact inspection depends on the vehicle, the job and the manufacturer’s requirements. A work truck, passenger vehicle, trailer and piece of heavy equipment will not all use the same checklist.
However, these are some of the main areas workers should know how to inspect.
Start outside the vehicle before opening the door or starting the engine.
Look for:
Do not rush through the walk-around. Looking at the whole vehicle first can help you find a problem before it becomes harder to see.
Check each tire for:
The vehicle should not be used when a tire or wheel condition makes it unsafe to operate.
Workers should confirm that the vehicle’s braking and steering systems operate correctly.
Depending on the vehicle, this may include:
A worker should not assume a vehicle is safe because it operated normally during the previous shift.
Check the equipment the driver needs to see and communicate with others.
This can include:
Dirty, damaged or incorrectly positioned mirrors can make blind spots worse.
Only inspect areas you are trained and authorized to check.
Look for visible problems such as:
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and company procedures. A vehicle inspection does not replace maintenance performed by a qualified mechanic.
Inside the vehicle, check the items needed for safe operation.
These may include:
Tools, materials and other items inside the vehicle should also be secured so they cannot move and strike an employee.
If the vehicle pulls a trailer or carries equipment, inspect the connections and securement system.
Look at:
Do not move the vehicle until the trailer and load are properly connected and secured.
OSHA provides a useful construction vehicle inspection checklist covering brakes, tires, steering, coupling devices, seat belts and other safety equipment.
Finding the problem is only the first step.
The worker should:
Do not mark an item as acceptable when it has not been checked. Do not ignore a problem because the vehicle still starts.
OSHA advises that vehicle deficiencies should be documented and defective vehicles should be repaired before they are placed back into service.
Giving an employee a form does not automatically teach that employee how to inspect a vehicle.
Workers need to understand:
That is why we use practical activities in the Rig Right Texas Safety Program. Students work through the inspection process, ask questions and practice recognizing problems.
The goal is not to memorize a list for a test. The goal is to understand how safety decisions are made on a real job.
The Rig Right Texas Safety Program is built for workers who want to enter safety, move into a safety position or take on more responsibility at work.
The program includes training related to:
Students can attend in person in Portland, Texas, or live on Zoom. Zoom students complete a required hands-on day in Portland or Hubbard.
View the Rig Right Texas Safety Program to see the current schedule, tuition and payment options.
Employers who need to train a group can review our employee safety training options.
For construction vehicles covered by 29 CFR 1926.601, OSHA requires vehicles in use to be checked at the beginning of each shift. Employers may have additional inspection requirements based on the vehicle, jobsite or company policy.
The problem should be documented and reported according to the employer’s procedure. A defect that makes the vehicle unsafe must be corrected before the vehicle is placed into service.
No. The checklist should match the vehicle, equipment, manufacturer’s instructions, work being performed and applicable regulations.
Only when the employee is trained and authorized to make that repair. Finding a problem during an inspection does not automatically qualify someone to repair it.
No. Training does not guarantee employment, a promotion or a particular wage. Employers make their own hiring decisions and may require experience, site access, background checks or additional training.
Safety work requires more than collecting cards and certificates.
You need to recognize problems, document what you find, communicate with workers and know when unsafe work or equipment needs to be stopped.
That is what we help students begin learning at Rig Right Texas.
See the next Safety Program class and reserve your seat, or call or text 361-600-8957 for help choosing the right class.
This article provides general safety information and does not replace an employer’s procedures, the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions, site-specific training or applicable regulations.