Crew safety on appliances and other vehicles

Question 1

Crew safety on appliances and other vehicles

When can the wearing of seatbelts may be relaxed ?

Answer 1

• A driver performing a manoeuvre which includes reversing
• A driving instructor supervising a learner driver while the latter is performing a manoeuvre which includes reversing
• A driving examiner conducting a test, when wearing a seat belt would endanger him/herself or another person
• A driver or passenger occupying a seat for which the seat belt becomes defective whilst the vehicle is mobile, subject to arrangements for inspection/repair being made as soon as practicable

Question 2

Crew safety on appliances and other vehicles

At the change of watch, or whenever there is a change of riders, personnel must?

Answer 2

• Ensure belts are adjusted to suit the individual rider’s particular requirements, and that the belt is working correctly
• Check assemblies for correct operation
• Keep sharp edges and damaging objects away from the belts and other parts of the restraint system
• Report seat belts if they are damaged or failing to return into their housing

Question 3

Crew safety on appliances and other vehicles

All personnel are to ensure that?

Answer 3

• Before the appliance/vehicle is moved, all door catches and locks are fully engaged and shutters closed and secure
• Where appliance/vehicle doors have shoot bolts fitted or additional security devices, they are to be engaged before the vehicle moves and are not to be disengaged until it comes to a complete stop
• They do not dismount until after the vehicle has come to a complete stop
• No items of clothing, etc, are caught between the door and the door opening
• Door catches, locks and additional safety and security devices are checked for correct operation
• All equipment is correctly stowed and secured and trays operate correctly and left secured and all locker shutters or doors securely fastened
• Any defects or safety events should be dealt with as appropriate and the appliance commander and officer in charge (OiC) should be informed
• Equipment is replaced correctly and secured in appliance lockers. The locker trays should be checked to ensure they are operating correctly and are locked and secured. Any defects are to be reported to the appliance commander and/or OiC and reported and recorded as appropriate
• Roller shutters are left closed and checked to ensure the catches and locks are operating properly. Any defects are to be reported to the appliance commander and/or OiC and reported and recorded as appropriate
• Any appliance shutters which are found to be open and unattended, should be securely closed and the appliance driver is informed prior to any movement of the appliance

Question 4

Crew safety on appliances and other vehicles

Under no circumstances should an appliance driver attempt to negotiate a low structure or obstruction without observing the following precautions?

Answer 4

• Crew members should dismount the appliance to act as ‘look outs’ and be so positioned as to give warning of possible fouling of the structure
• The appliance is to proceed with extreme caution
• If any doubt exists, no attempt should be made to negotiate the obstruction

Question 5

Crew safety on appliances and other vehicles

Where can Appliance dimensions be found?

Answer 5

Operators handbook and on a plate in the driving area in all appliances

Question 6

Crew safety on appliances and other vehicles

When traversing soft or uneven ground what should you do?

Answer 6

• In normal circumstances brigade appliances or vehicles should not leave the carriageway of a road or other hard standing
• Crew members are to dismount the vehicle to act as ‘look outs’ and continually observe the appliance wheels for signs of sinking, and to ensure the ground is free from obstructions that could foul the vehicle.
• If the slightest doubt exists, the “look outs” will signal the driver to halt