News

ATS Euromaster and BOC have joined forces in an attempt to reduce the risk of wheel loss across the company's 950-strong truck fleet. According to road safety charity Brake, every year an estimated 150 to 400 wheels are lost in the UK, resulting in 10 to 27 injuries. Although BOC has not lost one in recent years, there have been approximately three incidents reported per year where loose wheels were discovered. This figure was not acceptable to BOC, which explored ways of tackling it.

Steve Mount, regional manager BOC, says: "My investigations into loose wheel incidents have all shown poor fitting procedure to be the primary cause. What I needed was a tool which could be used to get the message across at all levels that wheel fitting must be done to a high standard." Together with long-term tyre provider ATS, it was decided that an educational film would be the ideal solution. Having discovered that there was not one commercially available, the two parties mutually decided to produce their own.

The film, that was made ay BOC's Wolverhampton site, covers various aspects of wheel safety. This includes Health & Safety procedures, preparation before taking wheel off, wheel inspection, refitting and tightening. By the end of May, all ATS technicians and BOC employees involved in checking wheels had seen the DVD, and it is currently being shown to drivers.

Chris Staples, manager fleet engineering and maintenance operations BOC, says: "I firmly believe  this industry-first DVD training tool will make a significant improvement to wheel security and safety for all road users." ATS is considering producing similar films with other customers.