Transcript MODULE 1: - PERC Safety

BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
MODULE 4
Bobtail Inspections
BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Introduction
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires bobtail drivers to inspect their
vehicles before operating them each day. Vehicles must undergo monthly, annual, and fiveyear inspections. In addition to conducting and documenting regular vehicle inspections, is
your ability to safely operate your vehicle and pay close attention to your driving duties.
Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
 Identify daily pre-transfer and walk-around inspection requirements
 Indicate monthly, annual, and five-year inspection and documentation requirements
 Describe procedures for handling accidents and emergencies with a propane leak
LESSON 1
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
LESSON 1
Walk-Around and Pre-Transfer Inspections
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Walk-Around and Pre-Transfer Inspections
Walk-Around Inspection
Performing a walk-around inspection of your bobtail
after loading at the bulk plant minimizes the risk for
system or documentation issues when arriving at the
delivery site.
Pre-Transfer Inspection
49 CFR requires you to visually check the cargo tank
emergency discharge system, delivery hose and hose
assembly, and emergency discharge control
equipment every day before transferring propane.
You may choose to perform your pre-transfer
inspection either at the same time as your daily pretrip inspection or before unloading at your first
customer’s location.
LESSON 1
4
BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Walk-Around Inspection
After loading, perform a walk-around inspection to verify your bobtail is in safe operating
condition. Make sure:
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The power take-off (PTO) is disengaged.
The liquid internal valve and vapor internal valve are closed.
All required vehicle and cargo tank tests and inspections are current.
Loading paperwork is completed.
Tools and other items used during loading are properly stowed and secured.
Shipping papers, written emergency discharge control procedures, and your DOT
hazmat certificate of registration are in proper order
 Delivery tickets and any other supplies are organized and properly secured in the
cab.
If all items are in safe operating condition, remove the chock blocks from the rear wheels,
stow them in their transport rack or box, and proceed to your first delivery location.
LESSON 1
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Walk-Around Inspection cont.
Disengage the PTO.
LESSON 1
Close the liquid and vapor
internal valves.
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Pre-Transfer Inspection
DOT requires you to inspect the following components of
your bobtail each day before transferring propane at
customer locations.
Inspect the cargo tank discharge system, including:
 Pump
 Piping Visible between the pump and other
components
 Liquid internal valve
 Automatic bypass valve(s)
 Liquid meter
 Line valves and hydrostatic relief valves
LESSON 1
MORE
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Pre-Transfer Inspection cont.
Inspect the delivery hose and delivery hose assembly,
including:
 Hose cover
 Hose couplings
 Hose reel
Inspect the emergency discharge control equipment,
including:
 Manually-activated systems
 Off-truck remotely activated systems
Note: You must not transfer propane or operate your
bobtail until you have completed a daily pre-transfer
inspection and made sure any necessary repairs have
been made.
LESSON 1
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Cargo Tank Discharge System: Rejection Criteria
DOT requires bobtail operators to check the components
of the cargo tank discharge system to ensure they are in
proper working order and that all connections are secure.
You must not begin transfer operations if you find any of
the following defects in the cargo tank discharge system.
You must check for:
 Any external leak identifiable without the use of
instruments.
 Bolts that are loose, missing, or severely
corroded.
 Manual stop valves that will not activate.
 Flexible connectors with visible cracks or
slippage at the couplings, or connectors with
expired compliance dates.
 Hose with exposed reinforcement or
permanently deformed wire braid reinforcement.
LESSON 1
MORE
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Cargo Tank Discharge System: Rejection Criteria cont.
 Soft spots in hose when not under pressure or
bulging in hose when under pressure.
 Hose with loose outer covering or damaged,
slipped, or worn couplings.
 Liquid internal valves that leak or fail to close.
 Pipes or joints that are severely corroded.
LESSON 1
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Delivery Hose and Assembly: Rejection Criteria
You are required to inspect the delivery hose and its assembly
every day as you unwind the hose prior to each transfer. If you
find any of the following defects in the delivery hose or
assembly, then you must not begin transfer operations. Check
for:
 Hose cover damage that exposes the reinforcement.
 Permanently kinked or flattened wire braid
reinforcement.
 Bulging under pressure.
 Loose outer covering.
 Damaged, slipping, or excessively worn couplings.
 Loose or missing bolts or fastenings on hose coupling
assemblies.
Always remove from service immediately any hose with signs
of unusual abuse, such as stretching, kinking, or flattening by
a vehicle.
LESSON 1
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Emergency Discharge Control Equipment: Rejection Criteria
Bobtails can be equipped with two types of emergency
shutdown systems.
Manually-activated systems
You must not begin product transfer if operating levers,
cables, rods, or switches are broken, severely corroded,
seized, or otherwise damaged. Be sure to visually inspect
fusible elements.
Off-truck remotely activated systems
You must not begin product transfer if:
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The hand-held transmitter fails to activate the
shutdown system.
Controls fail to operate without excessive force.
Connections are corroded so they seize or bind.
LESSON 1
Manually-activated systems
MORE
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Emergency Discharge Control Equipment: Rejection Criteria cont.
Off-truck remotely activated systems cont.
 Controls are not clearly labeled. The controls on
remote showdown devices must be clearly
labeled so they are useful to emergency
responders, company drivers, and unloading
operators.
When testing a wireless transmitter or receiver, have the
cargo tank in sight and stand at least 150 ft from it. You
must inspect emergency discharge control equipment
within 18 hours before the first delivery of the day to
ensure they are working properly.
NOTE: Follow your company’s policies and procedures
related to pre-transfer inspection requirements for
remotely activated systems.
LESSON 1
Remotely-activated system
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
LESSON 2
Monthly, Annual, and Five-Year Inspections
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Monthly Inspections
DOT requires any competent person designated by
the vehicle’s owner or operator to perform and
document a monthly bobtail inspection.
Monthly vehicle inspections provide an opportunity
to:
 Verify proper operating conditions.
 Note deficiencies requiring immediate
attention.
 Schedule tests, inspections, or
maintenance due the following month.
LESSON 2
MORE
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Monthly Inspections cont.
The items to check during the monthly bobtail
inspection are the same as the daily pre-transfer
inspection except for the following important
differences:
 The inspection of the hose and its assembly
is more detailed.
 The liquid internal valve inspection requires
a meter creep test.
 The monthly inspection must be
documented.
Note: Some propane marketers include additional
items in their monthly bobtail inspection programs,
so be sure to check with your supervisor.
LESSON 2
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Inspecting the Delivery Hose and Assembly
Inspecting the delivery hose and its assembly requires examining the full length of the
hose and its connections and fittings. The hose must be pulled away from the hose reel
and examined to determine if any of the hose rejection criteria are present. A unique
delivery hose assembly identification number should be verified during the inspection.
Follow the steps below when completing the monthly examination of the delivery
hose and its assembly:
1. Lay the hose out as straight as possible to avoid kinking.
2. Check for cuts, abrasions, soft spots, blisters, loose outer covers, and bulges.
Small cuts and nicks in the outer cover rarely require hose replacement
unless the rubber is loose or the reinforcement is exposed.
3. Examine the fitting, plus 18″ back from the fitting, by pressing the hose with
your thumb to detect any soft spots or bulges. If they exist, notify your
supervisor.
4. Inspect each coupling for slippage. Suspect slippage if the coupling is
misaligned on the hose or if the hose is scored or exposed. Examine any
coupling bolts and remove the hose from service if any bolts are loose,
missing, or severely corroded. See your company specific guidelines.
LESSON 2
MORE
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Inspecting the Delivery Hose and Assembly cont.
LESSON 2
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Step-by-Step: The Meter Creep Test
LESSON 2
MORE
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Step-by-Step: The Meter Creep Test cont.
LESSON 2
MORE
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Step-by-Step: The Meter Creep Test cont.
LESSON 2
MORE
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Step-by-Step: The Meter Creep Test cont.
LESSON 2
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Documenting the Monthly Inspection
The inspector is required to document the results
of the monthly inspection and provide a copy of the
inspection form for the company’s vehicle
maintenance files.
Address any defects noted according to your
company policy.
LESSON 2
MORE
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Documenting the Monthly Inspection cont.
Annual and Five-Year Cargo Tank Inspections
 Annual Inspection: DOT requires an annual
external visual inspection (V) and leakage test
(K) of all cargo tanks to check for damage such
as leaks, corrosion, pitting, or piping defects. A
DOT-registered inspector must perform this
inspection.
 Five-Year Inspection: DOT also requires cargo
tanks to be hydrostatically pressure tested every
five years (P). Additionally, an internal inspection
(I) is required If the cargo tank has a manway.
Only a DOT-registered inspector can complete
the internal inspection. Some companies may
replace the relief valves and flex connectors
during the five-year inspection.
The cargo tank must be appropriately marked with the
annual and five-year pressure test dates.
LESSON 2
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
LESSON 3
Safe Driving and Handling Emergencies
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Introduction
In addition to conducting regular vehicle inspections and
proper maintenance, your commitment to operate your
vehicle safely and pay attention to your driving duties is
critical. In the last course, you learned how to handle and
report accidents and emergencies with no propane leak.
Now, we’ll present how you should handle accidents and
emergencies with your bobtail when there is product
release.
Accidents and fires involving propane do occur. This
lesson provides several reminders to ensure safe working
conditions when you deliver propane and prepares you to
work with emergency response personnel to appropriately
address dangerous and unexpected situations.
Note: Each emergency situation is site specific and will
vary based on the type of scenario you may encounter. So
while it is important to always follow your company’s
policies, there are basic guidelines to help you.
LESSON 3
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Safe Driving Practices
Safe driving practices benefit drivers and the public. They
are essential for anyone who operates a CMV, and are
particularly critical for propane drivers who transport
hazardous cargo. It’s crucial for bobtail drivers to be alert,
maintain vehicle control, and stay focused during daily
deliveries.
Consider the following:
 There is a tendency for anyone who repeats the
same duties often to fall into patterns. This also
applies to you. Do not forget the larger
implications of forgetting the smaller details.
 Stay alert and avoid distractions and anything that
can take your eyes off the road, including eating,
talking on a phone, and checking tickets and
maps while en route.
LESSON 3
MORE
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Safe Driving Practices cont.
Consider the following (cont):
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Vehicles operate differently. Your personal
vehicle is not the same as the vehicle that you
drive on the job. Know the safe operating
procedures for the vehicle you drive.
Note: When released to the air, one cubic foot of propane
liquid will expand to approximately 270 cubic ft of vapor.
Staying alert and driving safely are ways to keep you from
causing a potentially deadly propane leak.
LESSON 3
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Handling Emergencies with a Propane Leak
An emergency exists any time an unintended or uncontrolled release of LP-gas or any other
hazardous material occurs during transportation or loading and unloading operations. Follow
these guidelines when an accident causes a propane leak, while en route in your bobtail:
 Stop, park your vehicle, and shut off your engine a
safe distance from the road, other vehicles, and
potential ignition sources.
 Immediately exit the vehicle, take your documents
with you, and get your fire extinguisher.
 Move up-wind of a leak or vapor cloud, and only
activate emergency shutdown devices away from the
leak if it is safe to do so.
 Call 911 to notify the emergency response
personnel. Call your supervisor and report the
incident.
 Remain at the scene, cooperate with emergency
response personnel, and provide required documents.
 Never enter or pass through a vapor cloud produced
by an uncontrolled release of propane.
LESSON 3
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Handling Vehicle Rollovers
Propane bobtails are top heavy and the effects of side-toside surge can contribute to rollovers. Pay very careful
attention to the road and make every attempt to avoid
any type of accident. Ask your company supervisor
about the best way to avoid a rollover based on the
terrain in your driving area.
If you are involved in a rollover, follow these guidelines:
 If you are able and it is safe to do so, exit the
vehicle.
 Once outside, eliminate any potential ignition
sources, if it is safe to do so. Call 911 to notify
the emergency response personnel. Then, call
your supervisor and report the incident.
 You may not know the condition of the vehicle
after the accident and will need to rely on the
emergency response personnel to assess and
handle the situation.
LESSON 3
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BOBTAIL DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Summary
Some important points to remember from this module are:
 DOT requires bobtail drivers to inspect their vehicles before operating them each
day. Vehicles must also undergo more thorough monthly, annual, and five-year
inspections.
 Inspecting the cargo tank discharge system and the delivery hose assembly is
essential to the safe and efficient operation of the bobtail.
 You must inspect emergency discharge control systems within 18 hours before
the first delivery of the day to ensure they are in good working order.
 A DOT-registered inspector must perform an annual external visual inspection and
leakage test of all cargo tanks to check for damage such as leaks, corrosion,
pitting, or piping defects.
 DOT requires cargo tanks to be hydrostatically pressure tested every five years
and internally inspected if they have a manway.
 Each emergency situation is site specific and will vary based on the type of
scenario you may encounter. It is important to always follow your company policy
and basic guidelines for any situation.
LESSON 3
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