12/21/2022
What can you do to help prevent a heavy vehicle fire?
With the snow plow season upon us, now is the time to address a grave and ongoing safety issue for your public entity, heavy vehicle electrical fires. Every winter, several Highway garages and the snowplows stored inside catch fire, resulting in extensive property damage and loss of your fleet. This could include vehicles, equipment, chemicals, offices, and records. These claims are not only expensive but impair Public Works departments from performing one of their most important services during the winter: keeping the roads safe.
So what can you do?
- To prevent these fires, get a head start by having a qualified mechanic inspect your vehicle’s electrical system thoroughly.
- Replace and upgrade the electrical system as needed to accommodate plow attachments.
- Evaluate your winter preventative maintenance and inspection procedures to account for excessive use.
- Consider installing battery shut-off switches on older vehicles to help isolate electrical problems.
Want more tips for your team?
Vehicle Electrical-Related Fire Prevention
During the winter months and snow plowing season, heavy vehicles, such as dump trucks, are at an increased risk of catching fire. Typical causes include tire, brake, and wheel bearing fires, exhaust system fires, dump bed fires, and electrical-related fires. In this guide, we will be focusing on vehicle electrical-related fires. Download our free Tips to Help Prevent Electrical-Related Heavy Vehicle Fires here!
Snowplow Operator Training
This critical emergency response function is often taken for granted but the risks associated are high and require a professional, robust approach to ensure each operator is trained appropriately. We have information for you on this as well – download Trident’s Public Works Snowplow Operator Training Tips to learn more.
Complete Vehicle Inspection Checklist
This free, downloadable checklist covers a multipoint inspection for not only fires but overall road safety preparedness.
Are you looking for a free resource to put up in your public entity’s public works garage?
Look no further!
We have a fun, easy-to-read, and easy-to-remember free resource poster for you.
With tips on what to look for and how to maintain your vehicles, this fun but informative free poster is sure to serve as a good reminder to your public works employees.