• A vehicle was in the repair agent having new brake pads and discs fitted to one of the rear drive axles which involved the removal of the wheels.
• After refitting the wheels, the vendor's process is to torque the wheel nuts.
• There is a secondary process which requires a retorque after 30 minutes of the vehicle standing.
• Additionally, a local approved tyre vendor completed a final re-torque after the vehicle had travelled approximately 100 kilometres.
• unfortunately, one or more of these processes were not completed to the required standard and when the vehicle was travelling along a dual carrriageway in London, two of the nearside rear wheels detached from the same axle of the truck.
• It was very lucky that no serious injury or damage occurred as a result of the wheels detaching and rolling amongst other traffic on the road.
• This incident was captured on the vehicles camera's and a PowerPoint presentation of the incident has been prepared that could be used as a toolbox talk on the importance of following the correct procedures when re-fitting wheels. The PowerPoint includes video of the incident and can be viewed on this link   

In the image below you can see the two wheels rolling over the white markings in the road.

This incident highlights the importance of vendors following the correct procedures regarding torquing and re-torquing wheel nuts after a wheel has been removed.

• ALWAYS ensure wheels are retorqued in accordance with the relevant guidance and only using approved / accedited vendors.
• ALWAYS complete your vehicle Walk Round Check at the start and end of shift and if work has been carried out on your vehicle, especially after wheels have been removed.
• ALWAYS check wheel nut indicators are in the correct position around the vehicle wheels.
• PERIODICALLY remove the Wheel Nut Indicators and check for visible signs of loose wheel nuts, visible rust around the studs or odd shaped stud holes on the drum.
• ALWAYS report any findings to your line manager before moving onto a public highway, don't risk your ar anyone else's life.