Rank: New forum user 
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Hi,
I have recently joined a company that delivers trusses, spandrels and timber frame. The business has its chassis serviced in line with DVSA requires by the vehicle manufacturer who also undertake body inspections. These body inspections essentially form one line of detail on the chassis inspection sheet and do not pick up on the defects that are actually on the vehicle body. This feeds in to part of the problem as to why defects are not recorded by drivers and are subsequently not repaired.
I have not been able to find anything in the DVSA legislation about body servicing on vehicles, in my experience these are normally scheduled on the chassis inspection or a minimum of 12 weeks. I would however like to present the business with more than my experience, ideally guidance or legilsation for HGV body servicing so that we can look to implement further inspections by more competent people who would specialise in body servicing. Would the body of the vehicle fall under PUWER? To give a better understanding I would be expecting items such as the anchor points, wooden flooring, truss support bars and the headboard netting to be part of these inspections.
I have spoken to the company that originally fitted the vehicle body to the chassis however they have been lacklustre in their response stating that they do not give recommendations on how often the vehicle body should be inspected.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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In short, the answer is YES. Given that it is used for work, it is covered. The guidelines themselves use a car as an example. (although with the caveate that cars are also covered by other legislation, the takes president over PUWER). The longer answer is that this doesn't really help you. PUWER doesn't have specfic guidelines on how often you would need to inspect the flatbed. only that you do. Quote:
(2) Every employer shall ensure that work equipment exposed to conditions causing deterioration which is liable to result in dangerous situations is inspected –
(a) at suitable intervals; and
(b) each time that exceptional circumstances which are liable to jeopardise the safety of work equipment have occurred,
As always I look forward to being shown I am wrong ;)
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Rank: Super forum user
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See Rounduit has already put a much better point than I did. Yes they are covered by PUWER However the annual MOT is probably suitable in terms of inspections, unless due to "exceptional circumstances" you need to carry out one earlier.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Heavy Goods Vehicles (including tractor units and trailers) are subject to an array of inspections dependant on their use, mileage, maintenance, etc. They are required to have a comprehensive annual MOT test. They are also subjected to inspections at more frequent intervals, generally at 6 weeks but a minimum of 12-weeks. As Rounduit has pointed out in his helpful post at #2 and the inspection manual of items to be inspected which includes the body of the vehicle. It is often that at the 6 weekly inspections the body of the vehicle is usually not inspected as it ought to be, and vehicle testers frequently concentrated their checks on the ‘chassis’ as you put it, including brakes, lights, steering, suspension, tyres etc. This is not a particular issue as deviations to the standards and frequency of inspections is allowed, with the exception of the annual MOT. You are right to identify and highlight this as an issue, especially the part where drivers and operators are not reporting defects. However, I would consider this issue a vehicle maintenance and inspection concern with respect to DVSA requirements rather than PUWER. I have found it simpler to apply vehicle requirements under Road Transport Legislation rather than H&S Legislation, in that the PUWER are not prescriptive whereas transport legislation is.
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1 user thanked toe for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Good point from toe to focus on DVSA rather than PUWER as this links to licencing where it is not the HSE who remove an operator licence, nor do they conduct road side vehicle checks
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Rank: Super forum user
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Good point from toe to focus on DVSA rather than PUWER as this links to licencing where it is not the HSE who remove an operator licence, nor do they conduct road side vehicle checks
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Rank: Super forum user
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It would be helpful to understand what is “defective” that raised the OP. What is wrong, why and what is it’s impact on the load security - assuming it relates to load security. For example, load straps are not part of a PMI, but may be looked at at the roadside if it was loaded/ straps in use.
I’d keep it in simple context as to the benefits of the repairs
That drivers are not reporting defects may be due to a host of options from lack of awareness, laziness, acceptance that it’s okay as it is, poor management etc.
Is defect reporting a fleet wide issue or just this aspect. Different options to deal with each
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1 user thanked Acorns for this useful post.
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