Page 262 - Driving Commercial Vehicles Manual

chapter 12 — industrial roads

Perform a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle daily before you place the vehicle
fast fact in service. Keep an up-to-date maintenance logbook to ensure vehicles are
being properly maintained.
You must hold an
appropriate driver’s licence Reporting defects
to operate a licensed vehicle
or any vehicle carrying You must always be certain that the vehicle you’re about to use is in safe
anything other than natural operating condition. If you find any defects, notify the proper company
resources. You must have authority.
an on-highway air brake
endorsement to drive any Don’t operate a vehicle that is unsafe.
of these vehicles if they are
equipped with air brakes.
Brakes

Good brakes are important no matter what type of road you drive on.
Industrial roads don’t usually have run away lanes so it’s extra important to
ensure your brakes are in good condition.

Brake test

Test the brakes on your vehicle before you transport any load. Make a rolling
fast fact brake test before you take a loaded vehicle down any steep hills.

If your brakes aren’t operating safely at any time, stop the vehicle in a safe
When brakes overheat, the
drums expand away from the place. Park and secure your vehicle or combination of vehicles in a safe
brake shoes. This reduces manner. Don’t drive the vehicle until the brakes are repaired.
your vehicle’s braking
efficiency. Water cooled brakes

Many vehicles that operate on industrial roads are extremely heavy. Stopping
these heavy vehicles puts a lot of pressure on their brakes, which can cause
brakes to overheat. Some of these vehicles use water to help prevent brake
drum overheating.

Turn on the water supply so that water is directed at the brake drums just after
you begin to apply your brakes. At this point the brake drums will be only
slightly warm. Turn off the water supply when you are about to bring your
vehicle to a complete stop. This will help ensure your brake drums contract
evenly. Brake drums can crack if they are cooled on only one side. Most water
tanks are pressurized with compressed air at low pressure — this pressure
should be at least 15 p.s.i. (103 kPa).

Parking

When you leave a parked vehicle unattended, you must set the mechanical
brake. You must also secure the vehicle so that it doesn’t need air or fluid
pressure to hold it in place.
fast fact

The Industrial Roads Act sets Driving on industrial roads
out which sections of the
Motor Vehicle Act apply to Industrial roads are often rougher and present different types of conditions
industrial roads. than public roads. In general, drivers are expected to follow the rules of the
road set out in the Motor Vehicle Act.

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