Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation — Tasks

Task statements

• Investigate and make recommendations on carrier requests for waiver of federal standards.
• Inspect repairs to transportation vehicles or equipment to ensure that repair work was performed properly.
• Inspect vehicles or equipment to ensure compliance with rules, standards, or regulations.
• Investigate complaints regarding safety violations.
• Inspect vehicles or other equipment for evidence of abuse, damage, or mechanical malfunction.
• Issue notices and recommend corrective actions when infractions or problems are found.
• Conduct vehicle or transportation equipment tests, using diagnostic equipment.
• Conduct remote inspections of motor vehicles, using handheld controllers and remotely directed vehicle inspection devices.
• Attach onboard diagnostics (OBD) scanner cables to vehicles to conduct emissions inspections.
• Investigate incidents or violations, such as delays, accidents, and equipment failures.
• Prepare reports on investigations or inspections and actions taken.
• Examine carrier operating rules, employee qualification guidelines, or carrier training and testing programs for compliance with regulations or safety standards.
• Conduct visual inspections of emission control equipment and smoke emitted from gasoline or diesel vehicles.
• Negotiate with authorities, such as local government officials, to eliminate hazards along transportation routes.
• Identify modifications to engines, fuel systems, emissions control equipment, or other vehicle systems to determine the impact of modifications on inspection procedures or conclusions.
• Review commercial vehicle logs, shipping papers, or driver and equipment records to detect any problems or to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Identify emissions testing procedures and standards appropriate for the age and technology of vehicles.
• Compare emissions findings with applicable emissions standards.
• Perform low-pressure fuel evaluative tests (LPFET) to test for harmful emissions from vehicles without onboard diagnostics (OBD) equipment.
• Evaluate new methods of packaging, testing, shipping, or transporting hazardous materials to ensure adequate public safety protection.