Van Checks went Live

[weedkiller]

How do you log suspension faults etc. Plenty of the vans I get pass all the inside, outside and under bonnet checks. So load up and head off. Then you hear wheel bearings growling or worn out suspension bushes clattering etc etc. Used to write all these things in the log book but not now possible. Tried entering fault after finishing shift but there is nowhere to put it in the app. Of course I can tell my manager but I think there should be electronic capture of all vehicle issues

[Grumpyoldmailman]

Do people generally do their checks before loading up the vehicle?

I had an incident today where after loading vehicle and then doing checks, it turned out there was a fault and the van was deemed unroadworthy. I therefore had to offload all the Mail / parcels and load onto a suitable vehicle.

I will therefore be doing checks pre loading vehicle go

Been there done that as well You won’t do it again though. Most people at ours would turn a blind eye if they found a fault as they can’t be bothered unloading it all again, seen it time and time again when they have called me over for my opinion. Van checks first and then load.

[Bobbyh]

Cheers grumpyoldmailman

No, won’t be making that mistake again.

[Pumpernickel]

Tried entering fault after finishing shift but there is nowhere to put it in the app.

Does the "report defect" button when you do your sign off mileage not do anything? (I haven't had need to use it, but there is one there, be nice to know if you can log something when you get back)

[bostonpilgrim]

When you end shift on the app and record the end milage, there is a report any new defect function then. This is for any new defects which occur whilst out during your duty, It works in exactly the same way as reporting a defect during the initial van check when you start your shift.

[goneaway]

But there's still no way of recording any comments on things that aren't on the rigid list of tick box items. In the old logbooks, you could make any comments on things like "rear door retainers not holding" or "offside front tyre getting low, watch" - a bit like "advisories" of things to watch after MoT tests. There's nothing like this on the PDA checking system and no way you can see if previous drivers have had a problem.

Also, come Tuesdays, if you're the second person taking out a particular van, at lunchtime, it looks like you are still forced to do a "weekly" check, even though the previous driver has also done a weekly check 4 or 5 hours earlier! Or, will it only force the weekly on you if the first driver didn't bother to do the check, or at least "end shift" before logging out?

[Seymour Buts]

We've now scrapped log books entirely.

A number of issues with the checks. I take the van home, do my duty, then do my collection then drive home again. Completing the check every single time is annoying when you've already done it that day. I just end up ticking all the boxes four times a day. Then you can't report damage or faults without a needing to put a form in. If we put forms in on every bit of damage to every van we'd probably have three vehicles left out of a fleet of 70. Least with the paper you can note any damage to keep you in the clear.

So your going against all the things your supposed to do why bother checking your van an how safe is your van parked at home??

Because there's no point checking tyres or fluid levels literally an hour or two after you've already done it. I finish on a night, put 'end shift' then have to restart the entire process for the drive home. Van is safe enough, I guess. Locked on a drive; that's the deal for a retention.

[5plusbonusball]

so why do you have to take a pda home with you? just use a paper logbook for your home trips.

[Seymour Buts]

We have no paper log books anymore.

[POSTMAN]

[Your late today]

Why is it when the pda crashes you lose the data for van check so you can’t enter final mileage

[eastie]

Nobody does the PDA van checks in our office, they just do it in the book as usual

[Rael, the IAK]

Mine crashed just as I delivered the last packet yesterday. Luckily it wasn't a tracked so it went unscaned. It took the full 15/20 minute drive back to do the lapsing to reboot. When I got back to the DO the van check app was still as it should be and I entered the finishing mileage without issue.

[Celgar]

Paper is always better. RM should know that given that we are in the business of delivering letters.

[Ianroyalmail]

Do you guys also carry out maintenance at your office's?

Filling up windscreen wiper fluid, pumping up the tires, cleaning the outside vehicles?

Is that the job of the postie?