Winter Safety Tips from TSVA
We wouldn’t blame you for being excited about bringing your mechanics’ truck out into its first heating season. But, don’t let your excitement distract you from preparing your trucks and drivers to deal with the icy roads, snow piles and extreme low temperatures. Protect your most important assets by following these cold-weather checklists.
Checklist for trucks:
- Proper tires can help your truck maintain traction. Make sure your trucks are equipped with snow tires or tired chains
- Speaking of tires, tire pressure drops as the temperatures do. Make sure the air pressure in your trucks’ tires is at the proper level
- Use a 50/50 solution of coolant and antifreeze in your truck to protect against winter freezing and corrosion of engine metals
- Replace old windshield wiper blades. They should be able to clear off the windshield effectively enough for your drivers to see in extreme snow or rain
- Make sure headlights, blinkers, taillights, emergency flashers and brake lights work properly
- Check the windshield and windows for cracks or pitting. The cold weather can cause the metal of your truck to shift, which can further damage broken or chipped glass
Safety kit checklist for drivers:
Keep a safety kit inside your trucks containing necessities such as:
- A shovel
- Bag of salt or kitty litter for tire traction and snow melting
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Blankets and extra sets of warm clothing
- First aid kit
- Flares, emergency cones or reflective triangles
- Tow and tire chains
- Backup phone charger and USB cable
- Anything else your drivers may need to stay safe in case they become stranded!
The key to a successful heating season is preparedness. Having the right gear on hand at all times can help your drivers avoid a disaster, and making sure your trucks are winter ready can keep them running efficiently for seasons to come. If you have any questions about truck safety, or you’re in the market for a custom-built work truck, contact TSVA now!
