INTRODUCTION:

To ensure that all motorists on Alberta's roadways are safe in their travels, certain rules and regulations must be adhered to. For commercial carriers, this includes performing regular vehicle inspections, creating written maintenance schedules and making necessary repairs in a timely manner. In order to obtain full transportation compliance in Alberta, trucking companies must take steps to properly document these procedures and follow through with actions to remedy issues as they arise.

1. Vehicle Inspections

Before every trip, it is imperative that the truck and trailer be thoroughly inspected. Every point must be checked, from lights and connections to brakes, tires and the undercarriage of both pieces of equipment. It is not only unsafe, but unlawful, for anyone to knowingly drive, or allow someone else to drive, a vehicle that has the potential to pose a threat to a person, or property. Every inspection should be documented, either in digital, or paper form, and kept on file with the main office of the trucking company. Should any questions as to the frequency, or thoroughness, of the inspections arise, the reports can be presented for examination.

2. Maintenance Schedules

It's no secret that hauling heavy loads down Canada's highways is tough on equipment. That's why it is essential to develop and stick to a strict maintenance schedule. In fact, Canada law requires companies to create a written plan of action for the maintenance of their fleet of vehicles. This must be posted, and available for employees and officials to view. What's more important, however, is that the schedule is adhered to and no deviations are allowed. This ensures that the vehicles are always in road-worthy condition, and that there is a lower likelihood of them breaking down, or causing accidents or injury.

3. Necessary Repairs

Drivers are the first line of defense against break-downs and mechanical failures since they are the most intimately involved with the truck. They must, therefore, be diligent in reporting any problems they observe along their route. A report should be written up that details the exact nature of the issue and the steps that were taken to avert a problem on the road. The problem must be resolved, and certified in the initial report as being resolved, before the vehicle can be put back in service. What's more, the parts must be appropriate for the application and installed correctly.

CONCLUSION:

Savvy trucking company owners know that these compliance issues are of paramount importance. They trust the process to a professional compliance company which ensures they never fail to meet the requirements, whether provincial, national or international. Not only does this include documenting their vehicle inspections, maintenance and repairs, but, every aspect of their business. The time they save, and the expertise they gain allows them to grow and prosper in a very competitive industry.

Topics: trucking compliance, trucking complaince Alberta, complaince

About Trux Solutions

We know you aren’t just looking for a safety and complianceservice and  management company; you are looking for a solutions provider. At Trux Solutions, we tell our carrier customers to do what they do best – haul freight safely and on time – and let us take care of the rest.

We are an independently-owned and operated commercial transportation consulting company that specializes in helping our clients turn their safety programs into profit centres because we know that a safe carrier is 40% more productive and generates more profits.

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