Safety for your work vehicle: The dos and don’ts

There are several different types of work vehicles, from the car you take your homemade products to sell to emergency services vehicles and taxis. Looking after this vehicle is tied to the livelihood of its driver and it should therefore be treated with care and respect.

The following dos and don’ts will give a brief overview of how to look after a work vehicle, how to save money by selecting the correct model, and how to make sure your manager doesn’t have an issue with how you’re using it.

Do: Ensure appropriate equipment is used 

The base model of a work vehicle is just the beginning – equipment such as winches, trailers and lights all play a part in the vehicle serving its proper purpose. 

For this reason, ensuring the equipment you buy is appropriate for your vehicle model, and for the work you carry out using said vehicle, is essential not only to the efficiency of your work but for health and safety, too. Take LED work lights as an example; without vehicle lamps that attach securely and adaptably to your car or van, you could risk not being able to be seen and stay safe in the dark. Good quality vehicle lighting is vital.

Don’t: Excessively use your work vehicle for leisure

Not only does this risk being viewed as unprofessional by your manager, but it could also have negative insurance implications. Van insurance and business vehicle insurance could differ from normal car insurance depending on the country you are operating in, so make sure you are fully covered if you are intending to use your vehicle for more than just work.

Excessive use of a work vehicle will also reduce the time it takes for wear and tear to mean repairs or replacements such as new tires or brake pads. 

Do: Tell management about any damages

You could be tempted to cover up scuffs or bumps suffered by the work vehicle instead of owning up to them, but this is never a wise move. Most employers would much rather know where and when their work vehicle was damaged than find out about it later and become aggravated at having the accident hidden from them.

It is important to report even the smallest of chips, especially in the windshield, as these can get worse over time and need a much more expensive repair than if they had been treated immediately.

Don’t: Waste money on the wrong-sized vehicle

Try not to be lured in by the biggest, shiniest, and most expensive vehicle on the market. Tailor your purchase to the nature of your work to avoid wasting money that could be better invested in other types of equipment. It could also be useful to rent a work vehicle prior to buying one outright so you can test its size and capabilities without the expenditure.

Conclusion

As some basic rules, honesty is the best policy when it comes to accidents, and caution and care in terms of insurance is an advised safety net. Take care of your work vehicle and it will take care of your needs better and for longer.