| Safe wheels - safer driving |
Wheel loss is a serious issue. In the UK, up to 11,000 wheel fixing defects result in up to 400 wheel detachments every year.
CEMEX UK analysed the wheel loss incidents on its own fleet and initially tackled the problem by prohibiting the tightening of wheel nuts by drivers. If a driver found any problems with his wheels whilst carrying out his daily vehicle checks, a tyre fitter had to be called.
CEMEX UK then took the decision to raise the level of wheel security and invested in a project to modify all wheel nuts on the aggregate tipper fleet with self-locking devices.
These work by fitting a locking device to the original nut. If the original nut should start to loosen, the locking nut or stud will tighten against the original nut on the reverse thread with the locking cap combining both actions, ensuring a fail-safe bolt fixing.
In 2007, CEMEX UK experienced 18 incidents related to loose wheel nuts. Since fitting the locking devices, no incidents have occurred.
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