The Heat is On!

As temperatures soar during the summer months, overlooking tire maintenance can lead to safety hazards on the road. In this blog post, we'll explore the impact of high temperatures, underinflated tires, heavy loads, and speeding on tire safety, and provide essential tips for ensuring a smooth and safe summer ride. Read the full Safety Bulletin here and subscribe to receive all safety bulletins directly to your inbox.

In this issue:

• Heat and your employees
• All Heat- Related Illnesses are Preventable.
• CVSA’s Operation Safe Driver Week Is Scheduled for July 7-13
• CVSA’s Brake Safety Week Scheduled for Aug. 25-31
• Registration Open for the 2024 Idealease/NPTC Safety Seminars!

The current extreme weather conditions persist, with unprecedented heat waves sweeping North America this year. Drivers must comprehend the impact of high temperatures on the functioning of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) to ensure the safe operation of the CMV. During inspections, critical areas for drivers to focus on include engine coolant, Diesel Exhaust Fluid, and tire conditions.

Engine Coolant

Approximately ten years ago, OEM truck manufacturers introduced extended-life coolant (ELC) into the industry! With each EPA change, the engine's operating temperature has increased by 10 to 15 degrees. Approximately 50% of all engine failures are associated with the engine's overheating condition.

With today's emission systems, an engine running low on coolant risks damaging emission components such as the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system.

ELC can improve the engine's heat transfer rate by 12 to 13 percent over conventional antifreeze.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid DEF

The DEF tank has a quality-level sensor that can be affected by extreme heat. To keep the sensor, cool in extreme heat conditions, it is recommended that you keep the tank as full as possible.

During the pre-post trip inspection, the driver should:

1. Ensure that the coolant level is within the range of the marking on the side of the coolant reservoir.
2. If the coolant level is low, contact your Idealease service provider immediately for directions. ELC coolant should be red/orange in color and free of dirt, debris, rust, and other contaminants.
3. Do NOT mix ELC with conventional antifreeze!
4. If a dash light comes on with an overheat warning, immediately pull the unit into a safe parking place and contact your Idealease service provider for directions. Operating the unit in an overheating situation can severely damage the engine.

Tires

In the scorching summer heat, underinflated tires can be a big problem. High temperatures, underinflation, heavy loads, and speeding create a recipe for tire disasters, leading to more blowouts in the summer.

What can drivers do to minimize tire related issues during the summertime months?

1. Tire pressures need to be checked more frequently in the summer.
2. Tire pressures need to be checked when the tire is "cold" and not after operation. Pressures can increase during operation when "hot" by as much a 15% giving you a false reading.
3. Inspect tires for punctures and damage during pre-post trip inspections and stops. Tire punctures tend to increase during the summer because the tread rubber becomes hotter and "softer" and acts as a magnet to nails and road debris.
4. Immediately report tire conditions that need attention to your Idealease service provider.

Unintended Consequences of Tire Temperatures:

• Normal operating temperatures 100-150 degrees F
• Impact of another component on the tire 200-300 degrees F
• Flammable vapors start to form when the tire reaches 500-550 degrees F
• Burning at 650-700 degrees F
• Spontaneous combustion 850-900 degrees F

Heat and your employees

What are you doing to protect your employees from Heat Stroke and exhaustion?

These conditions are created when our body is unable to regulate our heat production at a safe level. First, we need to make all our employees aware of the signs and symptoms for these conditions:

1. Fatigue, weakness, fainting
2. Nausea and vomiting
3. Headache
4. Dizziness
5. Muscle cramps
6. Irritability
7. Sweating (absence or presence)
8. Paleness

These conditions can be further escalated by the physical condition of your employees.

Employees at a greater risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke are those with: Heart disease, Skin diseases, Extensive burns, Endocrine disorders (hyperthyroidism, diabetes, etc.), High blood pressure, Overweight, Depression, Insomnia and Fever. Over the counter drugs can also contribute to a greater risk for these conditions.

All Heat- Related Illnesses are Preventable

What can you do to prevent them?

- Limit exposure to direct sunlight.

- Drink more fluids, avoiding beverages containing caffeine or substantial amounts of sugar.

- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and a hat outdoors.

- Ensure sunglasses provide UV protection and are impact resistant.

- Avoid hot foods and heavy meals.

- Pack a cooler with water if on the road and keep an umbrella in the truck for extreme conditions.

- Apply sunscreen with a high SPF rating to exposed skin if sun exposure is unavoidable.

- Ensure your vehicle is in excellent condition with a thorough pre-trip inspection in extreme heat conditions.

CVSA's Operation Safe Driver Week Is Scheduled for July 7-13

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced that July 7-13 is Operation Safe Driver Week. It's a time when law enforcement in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. focus on promoting safe driving. They'll be looking out for unsafe behaviors like speeding, not paying attention while driving, following too closely, and driving under the influence. This year, they're especially focusing on reckless, careless, or dangerous driving. They'll be taking action, which could mean giving warnings or tickets to drivers who are not driving safely.

CVSA's Brake Safety Week Scheduled for Aug. 25-31

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has set the dates for this year's Brake Safety Week to be from August 25th to 31st. Brake Safety Week is focused on making sure that big trucks and their drivers are following safety rules for their brakes. It's a way to make sure that trucks on the roads are safe and follow all the rules. It's also a time when information is collected to help improve brake safety in the future.

Inspection and Enforcement

During Brake Safety Week, CVSA-certified inspectors will be conducting routine commercial motor vehicle inspections, with a specific focus on brake systems and components. Any commercial motor vehicles found to have brake-related out-of-service violations will be taken off the road until the violations are rectified.

This year, the emphasis during the inspections will be on the condition of brake linings and pads. It's important to note that issues with brake linings and pads may lead to vehicle violations and impact a motor carrier's safety rating.

Additionally, it's worth mentioning that some jurisdictions will be using performance-based brake testers (PBBTs) during Brake Safety Week. PBBTs are machines that evaluate a vehicle's braking performance.