The words “training” and “safety” should be closer in the dictionary, since training creates knowledge of new information, and information is the key to safety.
This is especially true in a workplace where mechanical items, specialized tools, and a wide variety of equipment is routinely encountered. Trucks and their subsystems, including tires and wheels, provide excellent examples.
It puzzles me that a fleet’s tire operation, while representing a very large expense – and, therefore, potential area for savings – is typically the entry-level job in many trucking operations. This has never been more true than today, with the longest lasting, most retreadable and most trouble-free tubeless radials available to the industry. Treating tires as an asset rather than as an expense can save dollars and reduce your fleet liability.
The key to potential tire savings is to realize the longest-possible service life. This means, once applied, leaving the tires on the truck as long as practical, without unnecessary servicing. Choosing high-quality tires is only a good start.
The quality of tire mounting often affects tire longevity. Issues such as concentric bead seating, proper balance correction and/or vibration dampening, valve stem and sealing core integrity and ‘reading’ tire symptoms of vehicle misalignment before irreparable irregular wear patterns develop can all be accomplished with some basic, but often overlooked, training and attention.
The simple axiom of “applying the assets where there is greatest return” would seem likely to generate more interest in expanding tire/wheel training and dedicating time to on-vehicle inspections during scheduled maintenance intervals.
Most tire/wheel training can be placed in one of two categories. The first, mostly related to basic workplace safety, is clearly defined by OSHA regulations and includes mandated display posters and specific subjects to be addressed in employee training sessions. The Tire Industry Association, Web accessible at www.tireindustry.org, is an excellent source for this information.
One often overlooked point is that any technician who removes or installs tire/wheel assemblies during the performance of other unrelated vehicle servicing procedures must also be trained in tire/wheel safety. For example, technicians working on brakes, suspensions, axles requiring tire assembly removal or replacement must also receive tire/wheel safety training. Failure to document this could result in considerable liability.
Another subject sometimes overlooked is that of vehicle jacking and lifting. Chocking, proper use of cribbing material, jack placement, jack stand location and other potential safety concerns are detailed in industry guidelines to be covered in training programs.
The second type of tire/wheel training includes the finer points of mastering the details of proper component selection, mounting and astute observation during service life with special attention to maintaining correct inflation pressure. Component selection can vary by vehicle type, axle, geography, seasonal requirements, in some cases, and most importantly, by vocational service conditions.
This latter consideration is generally divided into three basic groups: namely, high-speed line haul, metro or pickup/delivery and mixed on/off-road service. Opportunities for misapplication and accompanying expense still exist – for example, the presence or absence of gravel surfaces in on/off-road service and the frequency and severity of wheel-cut angles in metro applications.
Since major tire manufacturers are constantly working on new designs and materials, frequent updating of tire model and type information can often create a competitive advantage. Most tire manufacturers offer training programs ranging from basic to advanced levels of cradle-to-grave tire management. Taking advantage of these offerings to employ a program of continuous training and upgrading of your technicians’ skills is a good way to keep your tire program current and ensure good employee morale.
Current truck and tire technology represents an extremely competitive, yet generally mature, product mix. Therefore, exploring and addressing the details of product selection and maintenance are areas that can lower your cost of operation.
Continuing training will help accomplish this and lower your exposure to unnecessary liability at the same time.
