Encourage your drivers to give their wheels and tyres some extra love this Valentine’s Day. Wheels and tyres are the final part of the transmission train and are essential to a vehicle’s stability and control. They are the only thing that keeps a vehicle in contact with the road and are constantly applying steering, braking and acceleration pressure.

If a wheel or tyre fails at speed, the consequences can be catastrophic. Wheel loss or a tyre blow-out can be a terrifying experience. Not only is there an uncontrolled projectile or debris, there is also a vehicle out of control.

This month’s Wheels and tyres toolbox talk reminds drivers of the importance of wheel and tyre roadworthiness and their responsibility to ensure they are thoroughly checked and safe. It covers:

1. Wheel and tyre checks as part of the walkaround check procedure
2. Specific wheel serviceability and condition checks and the wheel torque procedure
3. Specific tyre serviceability and condition checks, the legal requirements and tyre pressures
4. Enforcement and penalties that defective wheels and tyres can lead to

Wheel or tyre failure can also impact on operational effectiveness through breakdown delays, recovery costs and replacement vehicles. Their failure is usually progressive and many incidents can be avoided through a little care and attention.