The Basic ‘Safe To Load’ Checklist According To FRSC That Can Halt Loss Of Lives

Safe-to-load was instituted to curb road crashes and tanker fire outbreaks, halt loss of lives, economic waste and its negative impacts on the environment. If this checklist is taken seriously in Nigeria, road accidents would be drastically reduced most especially when it comes to trucks and commercial vehicles used by mass transits.

In recent times, there have been several tanker fire-outbreaks in the country that claimed lives and properties. Something have to be done about it or we keep counting our loss on daily basis.

This ‘Safe To Load‘ checklist involves depot owners, managers, safety officers and the drivers in the chain of petroleum product distribution and transportation in the country. Strict adherence to it will go a long way in curbing the deadly accidents that happen on our Nigerian roads.

With the alarming rates of fire outbreaks reoccurring in the country, FRSC officers should be posted to depots to assist the owners and their managers adhere to this regulations.

According to FRSC, trucking requires the use of road worthy vehicles, safe and secured loading as crashes involving articulated vehicles on Nigerian roads are mostly fatal. Truck operations are being regulated among others, through this safe to load program.

The truck checklist issued to depots by FRSC, is a comprehensive safety template that if religiously followed by the operators, will save us from a lot of road crashes and fire incidents.

The programme seeks to ensure that the only vehicles that are in good condition, driven by qualified and competent drivers are allowed to be involved in the transportation of dry and wet cargoes on Nigerian roads.

Basic Safe to Load Vehicle Checklist

Checks are conducted before loading to ensure that the following meet the set standards.

1. Brake:

Brake fluids, brake pedals and brake effectiveness.

2. Light:

Signal lights, headlamps, brake lights, revolving lights, rear lights, reverse lights, dashboard lights and interior lights.

3. Oil:

Oil levels, oil colours, oil viscosities and oil leakages.

4. Water, windshields, wipers:

Water levels, windshield cracks and wiper functionality.

5. Mirror:

Broken or damaged side mirrors

6. Fan belts:

Cracks, looseness, and cuts

7. Air pressures, alternators, and alternator belts:

Air pressure levels, alternator functionalities, alternator belts for looseness and cuts.

8. Coolant, cabin:

Excessive low levels and drops in textures, excessive temperature rise, any cracks notices in the cabin compartment

9. Tyres:

Feel tyres for too low or high pressure, cuts, uneven wears, wheel bolts and nuts looseness.

If this checklist is taken seriously, you’ll see that majority of the trucks on our Nigerian roads will be disqualified, hence, not suitable to be loaded. We plead with the concerned agencies so the fire incidents and accidents on roads will be reduced to the barest minimum.