Highlighting the critical nature of wheel security

CARNFORTH, U.K. - Jan. 30, 2014 - PRLog -- Detachment of wheels from vehicles, particularly heavy commercial vehicles, has been a cause of concern for many years. Detached wheels can just come to rest and cause little or no damage. However, in worst cases they can collide with other vehicles causing accidents and even fatalities

Research from *TRL (formerly the Transport & Road Research Laboratory) has indicated that there are 7,500 -11,000 wheel fixing defects every year in the UK alone, resulting in 150-400 wheel detachments, 50-134 of which result in damage only accidents, 10-27 injury accidents and between 3-7 fatalities

TRL’s report also shows that there is a broad range of causes from insufficient tightening and over tightening to incorrect lubrication, but that failed or worn studs are responsible for most incidences of defective wheel security (45% and 23% respectively)

Checkpoint® has championed wheel safety and protection for over 25 years. As the leading global manufacturer, supplier and inventor of the original wheel nut indicators and retainers it has recently developed the Checkthread® Tool Kit, designed to allow service staff and engineers to check and monitor the quality and integrity of the actual wheel studs, wheel holes and wheel nuts.

“The product should be used when servicing wheels” said Mike Marczynski Checkpoint® MD and inventor of the Checkpoint Original® “The thread tester highlights problems with stud threads such as stretching, distortion, damage, cracks and corrosion” he continued “and the Stud Elongation tool (SHET) identifies elongation and damage to wheel stud holes. Finally the Spherical/Conical tool is used to determine the type of stud hole seat on a wheel rim”


The use of the Checkthread® Kit when servicing wheels therefore helps to raise awareness of the critical nature of wheel security but companies are encouraged to place sound policies and procedures to monitor wheel security and to take action

“If wheel problems can be located and minimised or eradicated” adds Mike “the result can be less accidents occurring on our roads as well as saving money and time through efficient and effective maintenance of commercial vehicles"

-Ends-

For further information on Checkthread® Kits, loose wheel nut indicators and retainers please contact:

Andy Jordan/Holly Sadler
Checkpoint®
Marketing & Communications Department
Unit 9, Kellet Road Industrial Estate
Carnforth, Lancashire LA5 9XP
UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1524 271 200
Fax: +44 (0) 1524 271 209

E-Mail: andyj@checkpoint-safety.com/hollys@checkpoint-safety.com
Web: www.checkpoint-safety.com

Notes for the Editor:

*Checkpoint® is the world leader in loose nut indicators. An innovative solution originally invented by Checkpoint® MD, Mike Marczynski. Mike immediately recognised a gap in the market, and offered a solution-and the Checkpoint® was born! Today Checkpoint® has continually innovated & developed new ideas and is now able to offer the widest range of products, colours and sizes in the world, distributing to over 67 countries globally and counting…


*VOSA & The UK Department of Transport commissioned TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) Report 2006 & 2010 into ‘Heavy Vehicle Wheel Detachment & possible Solutions’