03
LIGHTS, TIRES & THE 90-SECOND WALK-AROUND
NOVA SKILL MODULE M-03
Read: 5 min
Full rules: NU-FLT-310
“It's only ten miles” is how it happens. This is 90 seconds and it is the moment everything else either worked or didn't. One man, out loud, every time.
Do it in this order — every time
- Coupler seated · latch closed · PIN TOUCHED
- Chains crossed · breakaway on the FRAME
- Jack up and stowed
- Shake all four straps. If it moves, re-crank it.
- Attachments down and tied separately
- Nothing loose on the deck that can walk
- Tires — both sides, all axles. No bulge, no cords showing, lug nuts all present.
- LIGHTS — somebody works the pedal and blinkers while you walk it: running, brake, left, right, markers.
- Brake controller plugged in, gain set
- Chocks pulled and back on the truck. Nothing and nobody behind you.
FIRST 15 MINUTES OUT — MANDATORY. Pull over safe. Re-check every strap (they settle and go slack), touch the pin, and put a hand near each hub and tire. A hot hub is a bearing about to fail. Nobody skips this because they're running late.
DEFECTS THAT STOP THE TRUCK
- STOP THE TRUCK — call the Supervisor, do not roll:
- Any dead light after 15 minutes of trying.
- Cords showing, a bulge, or a missing lug nut on any wheel.
- No breakaway cable, or a dead breakaway battery.
- Trailer brakes don't grab on the controller test.
- Fewer than four rated straps on the truck for the machine.
Signed off when he can do all three — watched, not talked about
| Runs all ten out loud with nobody prompting him. | |
| Runs the light check with a second man and calls each light. | |
| Says what he does when a light is dead and he's already late. | |
Trainee name / date
FIELD SUPERVISOR initials / date — only he signs