Vehicles are an integral part of our everyday lives. They get us from A to B, support us in our work and serve as indispensable aids in numerous industries. But over time, regular use leaves its mark: wear, corrosion and damage can affect the safety and reliability of our vehicles. This makes it all the more important to carry out regular and thorough vehicle inspections in order to identify and rectify potential defects at an early stage. This blog article sheds light on the necessity of vehicle inspections, the various inspection procedures and the responsibilities involved.
The condition of a vehicle can have a direct impact on the safety of its users and other road users. Defects such as worn tires, defective brakes or damaged safety equipment significantly increase the risk of accidents. In addition, parts that are rarely used can corrode over time and fail in an emergency. Regular inspections are therefore essential to ensure that all vehicle components are working properly and that there are no safety risks.
According to DGUV principle 314-002, every driver is required to carry out a visual and functional check before starting a journey. The aim of this inspection is to identify obvious defects. However, as important as the driver's assessments are, they are no substitute for the expertise of a specialist.
Experts regularly carry out main inspections to determine the roadworthy condition of a vehicle. Furthermore, additional safety tests are required for certain vehicle types. However, it is important to emphasize that these official tests do not take into account the safe working condition of the vehicle. Therefore, vehicles must be additionally inspected by an expert as required and at least once a year to ensure that they are in a safe working condition.
The determination of the inspection intervals depends on various factors, including the area of use of the vehicle, the handling of the vehicle by employees and the frequency of defects and damage. Even vehicles that are no longer registered for road use must be checked to ensure that they are in a safe operating condition in order to prevent accidents and injuries.
The responsibility for inspecting work equipment, including vehicles, lies with the employer. The employer must determine who will carry out the inspections as a qualified person. The technical rules for operational safety, in particular TRBS 1203 "Qualified persons", must be observed.
UVV inspections on vehicles can be carried out both internally within the company and by external service providers. Qualified persons such as journeymen, master mechanics or specially trained personnel are responsible for carrying out the inspection internally. The employers' liability insurance associations (BG) offer special courses to qualify employees as competent persons. This qualification is crucial to ensure that the inspections are carried out thoroughly and in accordance with the applicable safety standards.
The regular performance of UVV inspections is not only a safety measure, but also a legal obligation. If a company fails to carry out this annual inspection and record it, this can have serious consequences. If an accident occurs and it is discovered that the UVV inspection has not been carried out properly, the employers' liability insurance association may not cover the costs. This represents a considerable financial risk for the company and can also have legal consequences.
The regular and thorough inspection of vehicles is an essential prerequisite for ensuring safety and reliability. It protects not only the users of the vehicles, but also other road users. By employers, drivers and professionals working together and taking their respective responsibilities seriously, the risk of accidents and breakdowns can be minimized. Ultimately, everyone plays a part in keeping our vehicles safe and reliable.
The safety of your vehicles and employees should be your top priority. With our software, you can not only ensure compliance with legal regulations, but also increase the efficiency of your inspection processes. Reduce the risk of accidents and avoid the costly consequences of failed inspections.
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