Brake Safety Week is August 21-27 

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is conducting brake inspections across North America during Brake Safety Week August 21-27. As part of Brake Safety Week, inspectors will perform their usual North American Standard Level I and V Inspections and capture and report relevant data to CVSA. There will be a particular emphasis on brake hoses and tubing. 

Be sure to flag this upcoming event for your drivers to help them avoid violations! Here’s what your drivers can expect: 

• Officers will look for missing, non-functioning, loose, contaminated or cracked parts on the brake system, and non-manufactured holes (such as rust holes and holes created by rubbing or friction) and broken springs in the spring brake housing section of the parking brake. 

• They will listen for audible air leaks around brake components and lines and ensure the air system maintains air pressure between 90-100 psi (620-690 kPa). 

• Inspectors will also check for S-cam flip-over and measure pushrod travel. They will check that slack adjusters are the same length (from the center of S-cam to center of clevis pin) and the air chambers on each axle are the same size. 

• They will also inspect required brake-system warning devices, such as ABS malfunction lamp(s) and low air-pressure warning devices. 

• Inspectors will ensure the breakaway system is operable on the trailer, and inspect the tractor protection system, including the bleed-back system on the trailer. 

It could be a good idea to send a company-wide email out before August 21 to remind drivers to check their breaks. But if they do end up receiving violations, the Pros Behind the Pros are here to fight for them in the court of original jurisdiction to protect their CDL and your fleet’s CSA score.