Pre-Use Vehicle Inspection

Date: 2026-01-12

Duration: [DURATION] minutes

Presenter: [PRESENTER NAME]

Location: [LOCATION]

Objective

To ensure all vehicles are safe to operate before use, preventing accidents and complying with safety regulations.

Introduction

A pre-use vehicle inspection, often called a circle check, is a comprehensive assessment of a vehicle's condition before operation. This inspection identifies potential safety issues, ensuring the vehicle is safe to use and compliant with regulations. [1]

Key Points

Importance of Pre-Use Inspections: Regular pre-use inspections are crucial for identifying defects and ensuring that all vehicle components are in safe working condition. This proactive approach helps prevent accidents, reduces downtime, and ensures compliance with safety regulations.
Inspection Frequency: Inspections should be conducted before the vehicle is used, ideally daily or at the start of each shift. This includes checking critical components and systems to ensure they function correctly. [1]
Reporting Defects: Any defects or issues identified during the inspection must be reported immediately to the supervisor or maintenance personnel. The vehicle should not be operated until the necessary repairs are completed and verified. [1]
Compliance with Regulations: Adhering to a pre-use inspection checklist ensures compliance with both company policies and regulatory requirements, promoting a culture of safety and accountability.

Hazard Identification

Vehicle operation involves several potential hazards that can be mitigated through thorough pre-use inspections.

Brake Failure: Loss of control, collisions, and serious injuries.
Tire Defects: Blowouts, loss of control, and vehicle rollovers.
Steering Malfunctions: Inability to steer the vehicle, leading to collisions.
Lighting Issues: Reduced visibility, increasing the risk of accidents, especially in low-light conditions.
Coupling Device Failure: Detachment of trailers or towed equipment, causing accidents and potential injuries.

Control Measures

Conduct a comprehensive pre-use inspection using a standardized checklist.: Use a detailed checklist to ensure all critical components are inspected, including brakes, tires, steering, lights, and coupling devices.
Verify brake functionality.: Check the service brakes, parking brake, and emergency stopping system to ensure they are in operable condition. [2]
Inspect tires for wear and damage.: Check tire pressure, tread depth, and sidewalls for cuts, bulges, or other signs of damage. [2]
Ensure all lights are functioning properly.: Check headlights, taillights, brake lights, and signal lights to ensure they are in working order. [2]
Examine steering mechanism for proper operation.: Check for excessive play or stiffness in the steering wheel and ensure the vehicle responds appropriately. [2]
Confirm seat belts are in good condition and functional.: Inspect seat belts for damage and ensure they latch and unlatch properly. [2]

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

High-Visibility Clothing: Wear high-visibility clothing to ensure you are seen by other workers and vehicle operators, especially in low-light conditions or busy work areas.
Safety Glasses: Use safety glasses to protect your eyes from dust, debris, and other particles during the inspection process.
Gloves: Wear gloves to protect your hands from dirt, grease, and sharp edges while performing the inspection.

Emergency Procedures

In the event of a vehicle malfunction during operation, safely pull over to the side of the road or designated area.
Activate hazard lights to alert other drivers.
Report the issue immediately to the supervisor or maintenance personnel and await further instructions.

Questions and Answers

Q: What should I do if I find a defect during the pre-use inspection?

A: Report the defect immediately to your supervisor and do not operate the vehicle until it is repaired.

Q: How often should I perform a pre-use inspection?

A: A pre-use inspection should be performed before each use of the vehicle, ideally at the beginning of each shift.

Q: What if I'm unsure about how to inspect a particular component?

A: Consult the vehicle's manual or ask a qualified mechanic for guidance.

Summary

Recap of main points:

Pre-use vehicle inspections are essential for identifying potential safety issues.
Report any defects immediately and do not operate the vehicle until it is repaired.
Always comply with company policies and regulatory requirements.

Report all hazards, near-misses, and incidents to your supervisor immediately.