LV Pre-start Checklists: What are they? What are their benefits and How do you use them?

If you run or manage a mining business, you know how critical it is to prioritize safety in all aspects of your job. One key aspect of maintaining a safe workplace is conducting thorough inspections and maintenance on all vehicles. This is where specialized vehicle pre-start checklists come in. The mining industry is the backbone of global growth but is also a risky sector to manage, and the use of heavy machinery and vehicles only increases the potential for accidents and injuries. By conducting thorough inspections and maintenance on all vehicles, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries on the job.

So what exactly are light vehicle pre-start checklists, and why are they so important? Before we answer that, you need to be able to precisely categorize vehicles as light-duty. Simply put, light vehicles on a mining site are almost always SUVs or pickup trucks that are used to transport passengers and cargo. To ensure their smooth functioning, a comprehensive list of items needs to be inspected and checked before they're used. This is a pre-start checklist and by implementing it regularly, miners can increase site safety, vehicle life, and most importantly, save lives!

What should you include on your light vehicle pre-start checklist?

Light Vehicle Pre-start Checklists are integral to saving a considerable amount of time and money in the long run. The exact items will vary depending on the specific make and model of your vehicles, but some common items to include are:

• Fluids: Check all fluid levels, including oil, coolant, and brake fluid. Low levels can indicate a leak or other problem that needs to be addressed.
• Tires: Inspect your tires for proper inflation, tread wear, and damage.
• Lights and signals: Make sure all lights and signals are functioning properly.
• Mirrors: Check that all mirrors are clean and properly adjusted.
• Seat belts: Ensure that all seat belts are in good condition and functioning correctly.
• Steering: Check the steering for looseness or other issues.
• Horn: Test the horn to make sure it is working properly, as it will help avoid unforeseen collisions.

These are just a few examples of items that you would have to include. Make sure that all of your light vehicle operators are trained in the proper use and completion of these checklists, and conduct regular inspections to ensure that all vehicles are safe and ready for use. By taking these simple steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries on the job and ensure that your vehicles are operating at their best.

Now that you know the importance of light vehicle pre-start checklists, it's time to put them into action. To get the best results out of your criteria, mining businesses have had to traditionally rely on their owner's manual to determine the appropriate checks to perform. But with Grid, you can set up and implement a thorough and effective pre-start checklist within two minutes. The digital checklist will empower you to achieve a safer and more productive mining operation, at an unprecedented rate.

How Grid digitizes your Light Vehicle pre-start inspection?

Being a no-code platform that templatizes all your tasks, Grid automates filling, storing, and managing all your checklist data in the fastest way possible, on our expert-proven Checklist System. Grid factors in the following criteria:

1. Location - On your mobile device, the Grid app automatically detects the geolocation of the user when the vehicle inspection is conducted.
2. Asset ID - Every asset has an ID that's stored in the Masters workspace on the Grid app, which can then be entered along with the Registration Number to identify and track every vehicle.
3. Windscreen - Operating in rough terrains means windscreens are susceptible to the accumulation of dirt or cracks, both of which should be inspected to rule out visibility issues.
4. Brakes - Drivers need to check if the brakes and handbrakes are not just operational but in perfect working condition.
5. Dashboard - Dashboards are essential as they update drivers with necessary vehicle warnings and readings. Every panel must be checked after turning on the ignition.
6. Steering Wheel - Steering wheels must be tested before every trip because any form of loss of control can lead to injuries or even fatalities.
7. Recovery Kit - No trip should be initiated without the presence of the complete recovery kit. Users need to enter all the components present in the toolkit, like wheel jack, jumper leads, toolkit, tire repair kit, etc.
8. Radio - Mine sites occupy a massive area, which means vehicles may be far apart from the nearest point of contact. This means that all radio communication needs to be working to-and-fro, for quick response.
9. Tires - Drivers must be on top of their tire condition, as any faults here combined with the demanding terrain can lead to serious accidents. The form provides you the option to record the health, pressure, and presence of a spare tire.
10. Lights - It's impossible to light up the whole tenement, and at multiple times and areas, drivers might face low visibility conditions. This is when drivers must ensure front and rear lights are working properly.
11. Tray Latch - Unlike ATVs, light vehicles like pickup trucks are loaded with equipment, hence to avoid losing any material, ensure that the tray latch is operational.
12. Fluids - Grid users need to check for any form of leak, and also if the coolant, engine oil, washer fluid, and fuel are in an adequate amount along with reserves.
13. Battery - The batteries must be regularly tested, along with the examination of the water level indicator.
14. Cables - All the necessary cables must be investigated thoroughly, so as to cancel out the chances of an electrical fault when the drivers try to use a function.
15. Comments - There's also the option for users to add comments or remarks to further elaborate on any issue during the inspection.

With added options to generate highly insightful dashboards, reports, and much more, this is just scraping the surface of Grid's abilities to forever transform your vehicle inspection process and productivity. Learn more about the scale at which your mining operations can grow with the edge Grid brings to your frontline processes. Don't wait, take the first step toward a safer and more efficient workspace!