Vehicle Maintenance

Truck mechanics are exposed to a variety of hazardous materials. Chemicals pose a wide range of health hazards (such as irritation, sensitization, and carcinogenicity) and physical hazards (such as flammability, corrosion, and reactivity). All general industry standards apply to workers performing maintenance on all types of commercial motor vehicles, as well as all other types of trucks. These standards require conditions, or the use of one or more practices, means, methods, or processes reasonably necessary or appropriate to protect the employees on the job.

The following is an overview of the regulations, training requirements, and general hazard references:

Vehicle Maintenance Overview

OSHA regulates the performance of all vehicle maintenance activities in terminal operations. OSHA also regulates mobile maintenance activities on the highways. DOT regulations apply to the road worthiness of the vehicle, not to the performance of the maintenance or the safety and health of the employees performing such tasks.

Compliance
  • 49 CFR 393, Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation. Every employer and employee shall comply and be conversant with the requirements and specifications of this part. No employer shall operate a commercial motor vehicle, or cause or permit it to be operated, unless it is equipped in accordance with the requirements and specifications of this part.
    • 393.9, Lamps operable, prohibition of obstructions of lamps and reflectors
    • 393.11, Lamps and reflective devices
    • 393.13, Retroreflective sheeting and reflex reflectors, requirements for semitrailers and trailers manufactured before December 1, 1993.
    • 393.17, Lamps and reflectors - combinations in driveaway-towaway operation
    • 393.19, Hazard warning signals
    • 393.30, Battery installation
    • 393.40, Required brake systems
    • 393.41, Parking brake system
    • 393.42, Brakes required on all wheels
    • 393.43, Breakaway and emergency braking
    • 393.51, Warning signals, air pressure and vacuum gauges
    • 393.65, All fuel systems
    • 393.67, Liquid fuel tanks
    • 393.68, Compressed natural gas fuel containers.
    • 393.69, Liquefied petroleum gas systems
    • 393.100, Which types of commercial motor vehicles are subject to the cargo securement standards of this subpart, and what general requirements apply?
    • 393.102, What are the minimum performance criteria for cargo securement devices and systems?
    • 393.104, What standards must cargo securement devices and systems meet in order to satisfy the requirements of this subpart?
    • 393.205, Wheels
  • 49 CFR 395, Hours of Service of Drivers
    • 395.1, Scope of rules in this part
    • 395.3, Maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles
  • 49 CFR 396, Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance. Every motor carrier, its officers, drivers, agents, representatives, and employees directly concerned with the inspection or maintenance of motor vehicles shall comply and be conversant with the rules of this part.
    • See Trucking Industry for OSHA Standards, Directives, and Standard Interpretations.