Trailer Inspections - Workplace Inspection Checklists
A startling 89% of trailers tested failed NTTA checks
By global standards British roads are very safe, but every death and injury is a tragedy for the families involved. It is clear, including from roadside checks by DVSA, undertaken for this government report that many light trailers are used on public roads in a defective state.
From the main data source which covers all of 2017, there were approximately 20 collisions resulting in injury or death where a vehicle defect in a trailer was a contributory factor, and that defect would have been identifiable if present at testing. DVSA undertook roadside checks to provide additional data on light trailers for this report. About 50% of O2 trailers checked were non-compliant in random stops, as opposed to about 20% of GB heavier (O3 and O4) trailers, with the rate of immediate prohibitions (i.e. defects so dangerous repairs were needed before further use of the trailer) being 29% for O2 and 5% for heavier trailers.
The National Towing and Trailer Association (NTTA) provided data from 307 free safety checks they conducted at NTTA certified servicing centres, between July 2017 and January 2018 which unveiled a startling finding with 89 per cent of those trailers tested, failing NTTA checks with one or more defects recorded.
If used for work, then a trailer will fall under the usual requirements of PUWER to provide safe equipment and the need to carry out routine checks. In addition, The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 specify the need for maintenance and use of vehicles so as not to be a danger to any person in or on the vehicle or trailer or on a road.
Good to Go Safety enables a tag to be attached to a trailer (usually at the hitch or coupler point) and serves as a reminder to carry out a pre-use trailer safety inspections checklist before taking to the road. The trailer safety inspections checklist allows a run through of critical component checks including chassis, brakes, lighting, wheels etc as well as the load itself. The tag can be attached using cable ties, close to the hitch point for maximum visibility and will advise users when the trailer is “Good to Go”. A tamper evident seal will help ensure the trailer safety inspections checklist remains in place until the next safety inspection is due. A duplicate copy of each completed trailer safety inspections checklist provides documented evidence of a safe equipment management system (SEMS) and could prove indispensable in the event of an accident.
If the assurances provided by completing a trailer walk around check are not enough to convince you of the importance of safety maintenance checks, then the fact you can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving, and get 3 penalty points for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition should help to focus the mind further. By using the Good to Go Safety system to complete and record your pre-drive inspections you will be taking a significant step towards improving road safety, reducing your maintenance costs and meeting your legal responsibilities.
Trailer Inspection Books - 25 Checklists
There is evidence showing that towing trailers can be more likely to result in serious or fatal road..
£6.20
Trailer Inspections - Weekly Checklist Kit
There is evidence showing that towing trailers are more likely to result in serious or fatal road ac..
£37.10
Trailer Inspections - Daily Checklist Kit
There is evidence showing that towing trailers are more likely to result in serious or fatal road ac..
£109.50
Trailer Poster - Visual Inspection Checklist
Our trailer safety poster has been designed to highlight key components of a trailer and reinforces ..
£21.77
Inspection Information Station
The information station will provide your workplace with the ideal central location to store inspect..
£233.20
Inspection Wallet and Pen
A handy wallet that not only provides additional protection from the elements but also gives inspect..
£6.20
Weather Resistant Inspection Holder
These industrial strength pockets have a press seal fastening to keep important documents clean and ..
£6.31
Inspection Book Dispenser
Allow the storage of checklists in a central location for quick and easy access to important inspect..
£13.25
News & Events
Global Glass Bottle Maker Fined £600k After Worker Burned
A global glass bottle manufacturer has been fined £600,000 after a worker suffered burns when molten glass and hot water spilled into his cab. O-I Glass Limited pleaded guilty to a single health and safety charge following the incident at its Glasshouse Loan site in Alloa on 3 February 2024. The 32-year-old employee sustained scald burns covering eight percent of his body but has since made a full recovery. The company employs around 500 people at the Alloa site, which operates continuously to produce glass bottles. Furnaces used to smelt raw materials are located above two glass reject basements containing large, moveable skips. These skips collect molten or formed glass rejected during the...Continue...
Father jailed after killing his three-year old child in tragic accident
A joint investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Greater Manchester Police was conducted after a three-year-old died on the 16th July 2022. The investigation identified that Mr Speakman failed to ensure there was a safe segregated area for Albie to play in. Instead, Albie was able to move around the farm while vehicles were being driven / operated. Mr Speakman had borrowed a telehandler from a neighbour, and while he had previously used the vehicle, he was not appropriately trained. Additionally, the telehandler being driven was in poor condition, it was missing a wing mirror on the passenger’s side, and the driver’s side wing mirror was dirty – severely reduc...Continue...
National Grounds Week 2025
GroundsWeek is an annual celebration of the often overlooked groundskeeper, who plays a vital role in maintaining the green spaces that enhance our lives and support mental and physical well-being. The week is marked by activities and campaigns to promote the profession, share best practices, and appreciate the work groundskeeping professionals accomplish. An entire week dedicated to highlighting the skills of grounds staff, whilst inspiring everyone to appreciate the industry. Groundskeepers Roles and Responsibilities It requires specialist training to enable for a grounds person to carry out their daily activities such as mowing, hedge-cutting, strimming and leaf blowing....Continue...
Managing Warehouse Equipment
Thorough inspection checklists of all warehouse equipment are required under Health and Safety law: LOLER 1998 & PUWER 1998 Asking employees to perform pre-use inspections before using forklifts, pallet trucks, racking, ladders, tow tractors, podium steps or any other warehouse equipment is not only a smart and responsible policy to enforce, but is also required by law. Good to Go Safety provides companies easy-to-use inspections which enable competent employees to walk-through a series of checks to ensure that their warehouse equipment is safe to use. Each inspection only takes a short time to complete but ensures equipment is safe and provides invaluable evidence should an accident o...Continue...
Employer given a suspended prison sentence after worker falls from scaffolding
An investigation was conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following a serious incident on the 13th June 2023. A father of three sustained serious injuries after falling more than 25 feet (7.5 metres) whilst manually carrying roof tiles down a ladder attached to fixed scaffolding. Devon Air Ambulance took Mr Ian Smith to the hospital where he was put into an induced coma for five days. He has since made a fantastic recovery however still suffers from his injuries, which included five broken vertebrae as well as skull and rib fractures. His employer, Daniel Hooper (self-employed) was given a 16-week custodial sentence (suspended for 12months) following the incident...Continue...