CVSA Brake Safety Week

September 3, 2019

CVSA Brake Safety Week is scheduled for Sept. 15-22 with a focus on brake hoses and tubing.

Given the lackluster performance of trucks undergoing Level 1 DOT inspections during CVSA’s annual International Roadcheck back in June, we should expect similar results.

That will mean about 20% of those vehicles and 4% of those drivers inspected to be placed out of service during CVSA Brake Safety Week.

During the Roadcheck event, the top out of service violation for vehicles in were braking systems, accounting for around 4,500 out of service violations – or about 30% of the total.

Last year’s CVSA Brake Safety Week resulted in over 35,000 focused inspections with over 5,000 trucks being placed out of service.

So far this year, braking system violations have accounted for about 15% of the 2.1 million vehicle violations issued to commercial truckers. Also, about 10% of all out of service violations were caused by braking related issues.

That means about 5,300 trucks per month have braking system issues that are severe enough to not allow the truck to move until it is repaired.

CVSA Brake Safety Week Inspection Procedure

During the CVSA Brake Safety Week, inspectors will be conducting inspections based on the CVSA Operation Air Brake Inspection Procedure:

Choose the Inspection Site
Safety Considerations
Check Air Brake Mechanical Components
Inspect Steering Axle Air Brake Mechanical Components
Check Brake Adjustment
Build the Air Pressure to 90 – 100 PSI
Check the Air Brake ABS System (If Applicable)
Test Air Loss Rate
Test Low Air Pressure Warning Device
Check the Tractor Protection System
Finalize paperwork, and provide the results to the driver (i.e. out-of-service, etc.)

Preparing for CVSA Brake Safety Week

Commercial truck and trailer braking systems are complex and require regular maintenance and inspection. Drivers should make brake inspections a regular part of their pre and post trip inspections.

Qualified inspectors must also fully inspect these systems on a regular basis to ensure that these systems are operating properly.

If your annual DOT inspection is coming due soon, it’s a great time to have that completed!

CVSA Brake Safety Week is September 12-22, 2019.

Some system issues are more easily identified than others. For instance, it’s pretty easy to hear a busted air chamber diaphragm.

Other possible causes of problems, like worn bushings or excessive camshaft wear, may not be as obvious. That’s why we recommend both drivers and qualified maintenance personnel inspect the systems regularly.

Two of the most common violations have to do with the brake system’s adjustment or the condition of it’s hoses and tubes.

Almost all trucks and trailers are equipped with Automatic Slack Adjusters (ASA). However, these adjusters being “out of adjustment” is the most common brake violation received.

The easiest way to prevent this common violation is to ensure that all slack adjusters and S-Cam bushings are properly lubricated on a regular basis.

Doing so will ensure proper operation and will extend the life of the brake system components.

Read the Regulations: 49 CFR § 393.47 – Brake actuators, slack adjusters, linings/pads and drums/rotors

Properly lubricating the slack adjusters will purge old grease, water and contaminants from the adjuster and protect the internal gear sets, clutches and other components from wear.

As part of pre- and post-trip inspections, drivers should check:

The slack adjuster for correct operation
Loose or missing hardware
A missing cotter pin
Bent or damaged components such as the control arm or attaching anchor brackets
Worn clevis pins and clevis pin bushings.

Drivers should NEVER attempt to manually adjust an automatic slack adjuster!

During CVSA Brake Safety Week inspections, law enforcement officers will be checking to make sure the hoses and tubing are properly attached, undamaged, without leaks and appropriately flexible.

Read The Regulations: 49 CFR § 393.45 – Brake tubing and hoses; hose assemblies and end fittings

Brake system hoses and tubing are essential for the proper operation of braking systems in all commercial vehicles. So far in 2019, over 43,750 violations have been issued for hose and tube related issues.

Specifically, air line chafing is the most common violation discovered during DOT Level 2 roadside inspections and Level 1 Inspections. Other common leaks are found on top of air tanks or lines that have been worn away by friction where they may touch an axle.