Posted By Stephen Wallett I work at a Chemical Factory and have been asked to take on new duties which involves driving a Heavy Goods Vehicle around the site. I have been trained by the site training officer who is also not a HGV qualified driver. Also I have found out that a recent mechanical check that many parts (steering, brakes, structure) are below MOT standard. I have confronted the managers involved and they say it is safe to drive at 15 MPH (site speed limit) I am not convinced that 1/ I am qualified to drive it 2/ The vehicle is maintained to a suitable standard. I would appreciate your opinions. Thanks.

Posted By Mark Talbot I agree with the last post and would add that in terms of PUWER that standard of "safe" would be the MOT standard - that is the very reason it is there, and suitable training would be a HGV course, also why it is there. An HGV course includes lots of on-road situations that might not apply on private land, but undeniably includes much more that would be relevant. Think of it, what would be the HSE's / LA's first request for documents? Mark

Posted By Stephen Wallett Many thanks for your responses so far. I have been told by these managers that the vehicle does not have to be to MOT standard as it is not travelling 70 MPH on the motorway. The way I understand it PUWER states it should be fit for duty. My gut feeling is that the brakes, steering and structure should be up to MOT standard. They don't even agree with that. Could I ask what experience you all have to add more clarity to my position (before I get even more involved with the issue?)I am a site union rep and am considering getting the union involved in the matter. Many thanks again. Regards, Steve.

Posted By Karen Todd Hi Stephen, There are a number of publications that give maintenance advice on HGVs. One is VOSA's publication, "The Heavy Goods Vehicle Inspection Manual" (available from The Stationery Office). I would imagine that should something happen, the likes of this publication might be produced to compare your maintenance arrangements to. There should be: - daily running checks, carried out by drivers and covering basic items such as engine oil, brakes, tyre pressures, warning instruments, lights, windscreen wipers and washers and trailer coupling. - vehicle safety inspections and routine maintenance at set intervals on items which affect vehicle safety, followed by repair of any faults. Items inspected should include wheels, tyres, brakes, steering, suspension, lighting, etc. These vehicle checks and inspections are extra to a routine maintenance schedule, and it is vital to the vehicle's safety that both types of checks and inspections are done. Another possible angle of attack: does your company have other LGVs which do go on the road? If they do, they'll have an 'O' licence of some sort (restricted for own account operations, standard for hire or reward) and one of the conditions of having their 'O' licence is that they undertake to ensure the vehicles are adequately maintained. Although this vehicle will not be one of those listed under the O licence, I'm sure the VOSA Intelligence Unit would be interested to hear your concerns about the general standards of maintenance of the fleet of vehicles...further details in VOSA's "Know Any Lawbreakers?" leaflet: http://www.vosa.gov.uk/v...ns/leafletsandflyers.htm Regards, Karen