What should be noted about the condition of the catwalk and catwalk steps?

The focus of a pre-trip inspection includes ensuring that all components of the vehicle are in safe operating condition, which emphasizes the importance of the catwalk and catwalk steps. They must be intact without any cracks or breaks to provide safe access and support for the driver and other personnel when entering or exiting the vehicle. If these components are damaged, they could pose a serious hazard, leading to potential accidents or injuries.

Additionally, it is crucial that the catwalk and catwalk steps are properly secured with all necessary hardware in place. Missing hardware can compromise their integrity, increasing the risk of failure during use. Therefore, a thorough inspection should always check for the complete condition of these components according to safety standards, which is why it is essential that they must not be cracked or broken and should be fully equipped with all required hardware.