Technical Guides
Promoting best practice
As part of promoting best practice and improving safety standards the SOE has produced a series of Technical Guides.
Restricted access to PDF downloads
All Guides are free for Members or registered users of the website to download after login.
Printed copies
Printed copies can be obtained for a minimal cost.
To purchase a guide, please contact the Technical Department technical@soe.org.uk, or call 020 7630 1111.
Vehicle Roll-over
Price: £FREE
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This guide provides an understanding of how and why vehicle roll-overs occur, advising on best practice principles to avert the chances of roll-over.
Improving Fuel Efficiency
Price: £FREE
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This guide can be used to prepare the groundwork needed for a proper evaluation before purchase and/or fitment of an intervention can take place.
Wheel Security - A best practice guide
Price: £FREE
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The aim of this guide is to gain an understanding of why wheels become detached from vehicles and to provide best practice guidelines for drivers and vehicle maintenance staff on preventing wheel loss.
If you would like a hard copy of the guide please contact the technical department on technical@soe.org.uk or 020 7630 1111. Hard copies cost £3.00 each.
Safe Working Practice for Open Top Tipping Bodies
Price: £FREE
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This Code of Practice provides guidance on the law, explains why accidents occur, and illustrates the need for procedures to ensure accidents involving tipping vehicles do not occur.
Preventing Falls and Falling Loads from Tail Lifts
Price: £FREE
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This guide has been produced by the members of a Tail Lift Users Group, which included tail lift operators, manufacturers and HSE, to provide guidance for the prevention of falls and falling loads from tail lifts.
Roadworthiness: Industry Best Practice for PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicles)
Price: £FREE
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Produced with leading industry bodies, this guide gives advice on best practice so all passenger carrying vehicle operators can improve their vehicle maintenance controls and standards.
Maintenance Supplier Assessment
Price: £FREE
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The IRTE's maintenance supplier assessment guide is aimed at those who contract out the maintenance of their fleet. It advises on best practice procedures to ensure the maintenance facilities of workshops used are adequate for the type and number of vehicles undergoing work.
A Best Practice Guide towards Tachograph Systems Compliance
Price: £FREE
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The 2008 CV Show sees the IRTE launch its newest technical publication, ‘A Best Practice Guide to Tachograph Systems Compliance’. In this indispensable guide, Senior Tachograph Consultant, Gordon J F Humphreys, explains what firms need to do to protect their Operator’s Licence.
Roadworthiness: Industry Best Practice
Price: £FREE
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The guide, written by the North Western Goods Vehicle Maintenance Liaison Committee and supported by North West Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell, is intended to assist vehicle operators and managers, regardless of fleet size, to improve their vehicle maintenance controls and standards.
Code of Practice – Coupling or uncoupling & Parking of Large Goods Vehicle Trailers
Price: £FREE
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The danger of coupling and uncoupling of large commercial vehicles has become greater in recent years with the introduction of close coupling techniques. The new Code of Practice is aimed at all managers, supervisors and trainers, but has good advice for everyone who has responsibility for the safety of large goods vehicles and drivers.
Tail Lift – Specification Guide for Road Vehicles
Price: £5.00
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This guide, fully endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), is a no-nonsense publication which sums up the relevant information in tail lift regulations in an accessible and user-friendly manner. Produced in conjunction with the Ray Smith Group.
Tail Lift Operators – a simple guide
Price: £FREE
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This guide provides some basic information and highlights the user's legal responsibilities in the use, maintenance and examination of tail lifts. It is written in a simple question and answer format and is intended to be used as a basic guide to clarify current legislation that applies to tail lifts and tail lift manufacturers' recommendations.
Guide to Tipper Stability
Price: £10.00
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This updated guide, originally published 10 years ago, remains the only industry standard for tipper tilt testing in Europe and offers truck manufacturers and operators guidance for the safe use of tippers on uneven surfaces.
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