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How does a good fleet maintenance program suffer in a down turned economy?
Living in uncertain times while trying to meet payroll, fuel costs, tire costs, and all of the other
costs involved in maintaining and operating a business, even in good times is a struggle at best. Then, the economy goes belly up, companies go out of business or downsize (all just trying to survive), and start
layoffs. It's a trickle down effect. Where is it going to stop?
Since the beginning of time, the first place that companies start cutting fat from is in the maintenance of the trucks and equipment (Hoping they can gain operating capital to keep their business afloat).
Mechanics and techs are being cut back to levels so low; they can barely keep up with the repairs.
Shops and repair facilities are being shut down or combined. Trucks are being taken farther distances or outsourced for their repairs. In the grand scheme of things there are a few things that we have to take into
consideration.
# 1 Do we lower the standards of how we maintain our equipment?
# 2 Do we put unsafe trucks and equipment on our highways, because the tech was told to "patch
up" a brake job by putting on new brake linings and reusing the old heat cracked worn out drum? We can only hope and pray this is not happening within your company.
# 3 Do we risk putting trucks and equipment on our highways, with the chance they will be involved in a
serious or deadly accident? Trying to save a dollar, or due to off brand, low cost parts, the repairs were not up to standard and were put on anyway [new or used]? Driver was told truck would be repaired
later…..?
# 4 How much of the risk and liability is your company willing to take when a serious or deadly
accident, equipment or property damage law suit comes into play? From the tech to the driver who knowingly drives an unsafe truck, to the owner of the company or the CEO? Who has to pay?
The federal motor carrier safety regulations apply to all employers, employees, and
commercial motor vehicles, which transport property or passengers in interstate commerce. Every employer must be knowledgeable of and comply with all regulations contained in the motor carrier safety regulations in
49 CFR. Every Driver and employee shall be instructed regarding, and shall comply with, all applicable regulations. 396.1 states, General-Every motor carrier, its officers, drivers, agents, representatives, and
employees directly concerned with the inspection or maintenance of motor vehicles shall comply and be conversant with the rules of this part.
In the Webster Dictionary the word conversant means: "having knowledge or experience". So with this
being said, anyone reading this in a decision making role should sit down and look at your maintenance program to make sure that it is one that meets the standards that are required as set fourth by the federal
motor carrier regulations. Make sure all paper work is kept up to date, filed neat and in order because audits are increasing on a daily basis and your company may be next on the list.
To sum it up it, it takes us all to keep our highways safe and to bring our employees and our families
back home to us in the same good health they left in. The federal and state government agencies that police our highways and enforce the laws we live by are there to keep us safe. It's a hard job for all of us to
keep the company up and running and to keep the trucks and equipment rolling down our highways.
Cutting corners to save money on repairs that the trucks need is not the way to go. An old adage I was
told long ago, in a past bad economy, was "Pay me now or pay me later and let's hope no one gets hurt" has proven true to me time and time again. Let's do the job right the first time so we do not have to pay later.
Terry Callaway
Maintenance Director
Ready Mixed Concrete, Inc.
Winston Salem, NC
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