Wheel-loss operator loses O-licence for 3 weeks
Article courtesy of Commercial Motor magazine

A CARDIFF COMPANY has had its licence suspended for three weeks after one of its vehicles was involved in a wheel-loss incident. Its vehicles also have to pass fresh annual tests before going back on the road.

Fisher Containers & Pallet had been called before Welsh Deputy Traffic Commissioner Alan Jenkins, who concluded that its transport manager Anthony Avery was no longer of good repute.

Vehicle examiner Chris Enea said two wheels had become detached from the vehicle, which ended up partly in a ditch.

The vehicle had not moved for two hours which being loaded in a brewery. It had travelled only 10 kilometres in 10 minutes when the wheels came off – it appeared that the wheelnuts had been loose for some time.

The stud threads were virtually undamaged, indicating that the wheelnuts had unwound gradually until the wheels fell off. Only one wheel was recovered, which could mean that the two wheels did not come off at the same time.

A subsequent maintenance investigation revealed that undertakings given in relation to maintenance at a previous public inquiry had not been fulfilled.

Appearing for the company, Christopher Childs said the vehicle that lost its wheels had been through a pre-MoT check six days previously when the tyres were changed, and two days later it had passed its annual test.

Avery said he had gone back to driving three years ago. He was aware that he was responsible for the maintenance system and he had been told the vehicles were being serviced, but he had not checked up on this. He was unaware that the inspection records were in bundles and had not been kept in the proper order. He conceded that there was no procedure in place for drivers to recheck the wheelnuts after tyres had been replaced. The DTC said it was a sad history and pointed out that the accident could easily have had catastrophic consequences.

This article was originally published in Commercial Motor on 18/03/04.