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Maintenance Provider Audit Assessment
Whilst most operators have a reasonable awareness of the Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness and Best Practice, it isn’t always applied to the fullest – especially when it comes to maintenance providers.
A vehicle’s maintenance will only be as good as those who are entrusted with carrying out the work on behalf of the operator. In most cases, when it comes to a sub-standard maintenance provider, there are next to no regulatory actions that can be taken. A sub-standard provider can harm an operator’s OCRS, MOT pass rate and could lead to the issuance of PG9 prohibition notices.
Is it worth taking a chance with a substandard maintenance provider when an independent audit can provide you with peace of mind? In recent years, an increasing number of operators have become aware that they need to audit and review their external and internal maintenance providers to ensure that they are meeting the operator’s requirements.
We at Foster Transport Compliance are now able to audit an Operator’s Maintenance providers independent of the Operator, not just on paper, but up close and personal in the overalls and down in the pit!
It is our goal to assist our clients by reviewing, supporting, training, and guiding those who are chosen to take care of preventative maintenance on their behalf on a day-to-day basis.
This leads to several areas that need to be examined, including:
- The individual tasked with the work, his/her competencies, prior training, knowledge, and attitude.
- In terms of safety inspections, what procedure is currently used? Is it effective?
- Is the method of inspection logical and comprehensive and does it utilise the correct documentation?
- Understanding the difference between the legal minimum standards for component assessments and conditions and what is acceptable at a safety inspection is essential. Mechanics should change defective parts promptly, as failing to do so affects road safety, while replacing parts simply because the mechanic isn't sure if it's defective isn't cost-effective. Operators need mechanics and fitters who are knowledgeable about what needs to be done and when.
- To complete safety inspections, an individual must be able to answer [without referencing the written criteria - HGV inspection manual] the most basic questions e.g. minimum tread depth, braking performance, and efficiency. Should they not be able to do so, immediate questions should be raised about the individual's expertise.
- Are they aware of and have access to the Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness / HGV – PSV inspection manuals?
In short, this is an assessment of underpinning knowledge and procedures, with a practical element of the individual completing a safety inspection – overalls on and down the pit!
Our team will review all aspects of your processes and analyse your providers’ performance against these standards. We will provide you with advice, guidance and resolutions to any weaknesses found.
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Frequently Asked Questions.
If you have a question that has not been answered in our FAQs, get in touch with us and a member of the Foster Transport Compliance team will be able to provide further details.
The Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness and Best Practice is a set of guidelines that outline the minimum requirements for maintaining commercial vehicles in a roadworthy condition.
It is crucial to have a competent maintenance provider for a commercial vehicle as maintenance will only be as good as those who are entrusted with carrying out the work on behalf of the operator.
The areas that need to be examined when reviewing a maintenance provider's performance include the individual tasked with the work, safety inspection procedures, the method of inspection, understanding of legal minimum standards, and access to relevant inspection manuals.
Foster Transport Compliance can assist with reviewing a maintenance provider's performance by auditing and reviewing the provider's processes, analysing their performance against the relevant standards, and providing advice, guidance, and resolutions to any weaknesses found.
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For more than 55 years, Foster Transport Compliance has been providing top-of-the-line service in tachograph systems, maintenance system compliance, operator licensing and compliance audits. From individual drivers to multinational companies, we pride ourselves on our attention to detail and professional approach.
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Many operators are not thoroughly audited and only a few undertake internal audits. Even fewer have a “tick-box” approach to auditing. This is problematic because as we have seen, many clients come to us after a major compliance issue has arisen, at which point the underlying problem has been detected by the enforcement body. Get in touch with us to find out more about you can proactively monitor and audit systems.