Under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, a company can be guilty of corporate manslaughter if the way its senior management organises or oversees activities leads to someone’s death and constitutes a gross breach of its duty of care. Operators have a legal responsibility not only to ensure the safety of their drivers but also to protect other road users.
Once a major incident like this happens, the company is then at risk of reputational damage recorded on the company’s Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS). A low OCRS score means more regular inspections, and being more likely to be stopped for roadside checks, leading to delays, costs, and potential fines.
Doom and gloom, right? It doesn't have to be!
So what can we do to stop all that happening?
The causes of these incidents can vary, but they almost always come down to issues that are entirely preventable. A loose wheel nut is a problem that simply shouldn’t happen anymore, especially with the solutions and precautions available today. Our challenge is to make as many people aware of the tools and practices they can use to tackle this issue, and work together to make every journey safer.
At Parma Group, we’re on a mission to put an end to wheel loss for good.
Wheel Nut Indicators
At Parma Group, we provide a wide range of brightly coloured wheel indicators, available in sizes ranging from 17 to 42 mm. These indicators are widely used by fleets as a first line of defense, helping drivers spot potential issues during their pre- and post-journey checks. While this is a good practice and is the minimum standard, it does rely heavily on human attention, which leaves room for error. Plus, if a wheel nut loosens while on the road, indicators alone can't do anything to stop detachment.
