At the Scene
Th e fi rst step to the “crime scene” investigation
of a component failure/vehicle breakdown is
to secure the scene, where possible. Th en, take
a systematic approach to “processing” scene.
Gather all of the necessary information about
the incident and make an initial examination
of the failure/breakdown.
ds.
es,
“Raising Performance To New Levels”
16 Fleet Maintenance | JULY 2017
Note the date, time and location of the incident;
the driver’s name and terminal; and the vehicle
number/ID, year, make, model and mileage.
Comprehensively document the “crime scene”
with a series of photographs depicting the vehicle
and its problem.
As has been pointed out within numerous
articles in Fleet Maintenance: “A picture is worth a
thousand words.”
Next, search for “items of evidence” not
observed during the initial examination. Th is
could be fl uid leaks, small parts and pieces of
metal and/or plastic on the ground, excessive
wear, etc. Th ese things, and their location, should
be noted and photographed as well.
All of the evidence then needs to be collected, or
as they say on CSI programs: “bagged and tagged.”
Th ese items can be examined in detail at a later
time, if necessary.
Th e subsequent step is to thoroughly
interview the driver to learn what
happened prior to, during and immediately
aft er the component failure/vehicle
breakdown.
Review Data
Th e CSI now shift s to “lab” work. Vehicle
history and repair records are invaluable
in the investigation of a component
failure or a vehicle breakdown.
Scrutinize these records for long-term
trends in equipment operation and causes
for downtime, looking for answers to
such questions as:
Has the problem happened before?
If so, what caused it on that occasion?
How was it corrected each time?
Did the fi x work? If not, why?
A wealth of insight can be found by
analyzing the information from a vehicle
that has telematics systems that
monitor, record and store such things as
operational functions, status, location,
movement, driver behavior, etc.
Th en there is the broken or failed
component and the vehicle. Examine
these to determine why the component
broke/failed, as well as how it broke/
failed. Th is will help discover the actual
cause of the failure/breakdown.
Find the Culprit
At this point in the investigation, “walk
away” from the case and take some time
off , advise veteran crime scene investigators
and detectives. Return with a
fresh set of eyes and carefully go over
all the evidence and information, and
your analysis of this. Th en, employ logic
to determine who done it.
With each CSI, you will gain greater
insight into your maintenance operation.
Th at, in turn, will enable you to
take the necessary corrective actions
to avoid repeat “crimes” and improve
vehicle reliability. Th is helps to reduce
costly repairs and downtime.
VehicleServicePros.com/10122353
Quality Liftgates
for Every Application
Sideloaders, and Conventional models are all part of the THIEMAN line-up.
For many years THIEMAN has been customizing liftgates to meet specific needs.
If a special need arises, give us a call. From 1000 lb. to 6600 lb. lifting capacities,
THIEMAN can provide a liftgate for almost every application.
600 E. WBZOF4USFFUt$FMJOB, Ohio 45822
1I
tt'BY
&NBJMJOGP!UIJFNBOUBJMHBUFTDPNtWFCTJUFXXXUIJFNBOUBJMHBUFTDPN
VehicleServicePros.com/10121606
An organized
approach with three
fundamental stages.