Announcing its latest win, Pall-Ex said that ever since landing the RoSPA Silver Award it has had its eyes firmly set on gaining the Gold Award this year.

To do this the team examined accident data and implemented a range of measures to create change across the business, affecting both operational and support staff.

Troy Bailey (pictured right), quality and compliance director, worked closely with Christina Johnson, head of group QHSE, to highlight specific areas that required improvement within the Pall-Ex operation to achieve safety excellence.

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Pall-Ex said that key to winning the Gold award was the network's focus on delivering enhanced education, comprehensive process changes and continuous improvement initiatives, which ensured everyone onsite, including hundreds of visiting drivers, is trained in the updated regulations.

Pall-Ex Group UK managing director, Barry Byers, said: “Keeping our people, our partners and the public safe is at the heart of everything we do. We want every day to run without accidents happening, but we work in a high-risk industry, so ensuring health and safety excellence is at the top of our agenda is paramount.”

Bailey added: “We’re pleased to have achieved the Gold Award with RoSPA, it’s fantastic to have our efforts endorsed in these internationally recognised awards.

Julia Small (pictured left), RoSPA’s achievements director, praised Pall-Ex's achievement. She said: “Accidents at work don’t just have huge financial implications or cause major disruption – they significantly impact an individual’s life.

"That’s why good safety performance deserves to be rewarded. We are thrilled that the Pall-Ex has won a RoSPA Award and would like to congratulate them on their unwavering commitment.”

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The new app tools have been adopted by a quarter of the UK’s police forces including the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG), and Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Gwent, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Lancashire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Staffordshire police forces.

The tools are based on new checksheets created by the fleet software specialist working in conjunction with National Highways and CMPG, which have also been added to the College of Policing web site.

These have been built into the Driver app, with the two main documents covering instances when the police stop a vehicle with an abnormal load or are escorting one through their area. These exist in variants for both UK registered and foreign vehicles.

A driver-facing version of the checksheets has also been incorporated into the app for private companies that specialise in escorting abnormal loads in order to self-audit compliance.

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FleetCheck’s Driver app was launched in 2017 with the aim of streamlining legally required vehicle inspections for fleets, removing the need for manual paper trails. It also provides additional features such as fit to drive declarations, fuel purchase details and incident reporting.

Barrie Wilson, FleetCheck commercial fleet consultant, said: “CMPG have been running an initiative called Operation Nightstare that is designed to clamp down on illegal abnormal loads and has found a very high level of non-compliance.

"The work we have been doing with them and with National Highways is very much designed to dovetail with this campaign, helping operators to meet their legal obligations and the police to inspect vehicles.

“The checksheets have been added free to all commercial users of our Driver app – in use by fleets totalling 220,000 vehicles – and mean that legal requirements can be checked quickly and easily using any smartphone or tablet in a structured manner, helping both compliance and enforcement.”

Marie Biddulph, National Highways assistant regional safety co-ordinator for the Midlands, said “Drivers carrying abnormal loads have a huge responsibility, and it is vital for the safety of all road users that they comply with the appropriate regulations. The work we have been doing with CMPG and FleetCheck will help to ensure that more meet their legal responsibilities.”

An abnormal load is a vehicle that has a weight of more than 44,000kg, an axle load of more than 10,000kg for a single non-driving axle and 11,500kg for a single driving axle, a width of more than 2.9 metres, or a total length of more than 18.65 metres.

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The service, which has become available this week, is part of the recently launched DVLA Driver and Vehicles account. The account was beta launched in August and aims to help drivers access their driver and vehicle information in one place.

Announcing the move DVLA said the ability to view tachograph and CPC information is the first of several additions planned for the account.

The DVLA is also calling on drivers to test the site and provide feedback to help develop the service.

In this first iteration of the driver and vehicles account, drivers will need a UK passport to sign up to the service.

Drivers using the account are able to:

• view their driving licence information, including endorsements and penalty points
• view vehicles that are registered to them including tax and MOT status
• change their contact preferences
• set up vehicle tax reminders by email and for the first time by SMS text
• choose to stop getting vehicle tax reminders by post
• View their CPC and tachograph information

·Julie Lennard, DVLA chief executive, said: “We are delighted to be able to provide CPC and tachograph information for professional drivers on the Driver and vehicles account.

"Since we launched the account into public beta in August we have worked to add more services and we continue to do so, and we are encouraging drivers to test out the service and provide us with any feedback they have.”

Motorists with a UK passport to verify their identity online can set up an account at gov.uk/driver-vehicles-account

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The Intelligent Fingerprinting Drug Screening System is a portable, random in-house drug testing method which uses a fingerprint sweat-based test. It is non-invasive, fast, and cost-effective, with sample collections taking seconds and simultaneous screening for multiple drug groups taking ten minutes.

Drugs tested include cocaine, methamphetamine, opiates, and cannabis. VKVP Haulage is initially carrying out random drug testing at its UK headquarters in Felixstowe. However, the VKVP transport and fleet management team can extend testing to its other UK sites due to the system’s portability.

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Roland Hollings, transport and fleet manager, said: "The Intelligent Fingerprinting Drug Screening System is a great testing solution we can use in-house as needed.

"The scenario training, the technology and its sample chain of custody make the fingerprint-based system particularly resilient, inspiring confidence from both our employees and customers.”

He added: "“We have only been drug testing with the system for a couple of weeks, but the power of random in-house testing is already having a positive impact, with both our workforce and our customers recognizing our commitment to having a proactive drug testing policy.

“VKVP Haulage operates a fleet of 80 44-tonne articulated trucks that run across the country carrying containers for many of the UK’s leading brands, so it’s important we do as much as possible to ensure safe adherence to our drug and alcohol policy.”

The post VKVP Haulage uses drivers’ fingerprints to test for drugs appeared first on Motor Transport.

The Windsor Framework aims to create a smoother flow of goods, post-Brexit, between GB and Northern Ireland, via a two-lane system involving minimal paperwork and no border checks for businesses trading in the UK internal market.

However RHA is reporting that some of its members have experienced hold ups in the first week of its implementation, adding that it is keeping a watching brief as the system beds in.

In a statement this week, the RHA said: “Some hauliers have reported to us that they are experiencing delays due to errors made by their customers.

“Problems with paperwork ultimately affect the haulier who suffers the delay and the associated costs, which can be considerable and result in knock-on effects on the wider supply chain.”

It added: “We are pleased that the government has noted some of the issues our members have raised around groupage movements by agreeing to set up a working group made up of senior civil servants and the wider logistics community.

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“It is only through this collaborative approach that we will all learn the issues and derive the solutions which in turn will support Northern Ireland’s supply chain and its consumers.”

The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) has also raised concerns about the movement of groupage under the scheme.

In a recent House of Lords sub-committee meeting to hear evidence on the Windsor Framework implementation, Peter Hardwick BMPA trade policy advisor, said: “The Northern Ireland retail movement scheme is being pitched as a solution for groupage, but we have yet to encounter any haulier who thinks it will work or is willing to take on groupage.”

He added: “It is not clear when doing groupage who applies seals and where. We have been told that one way this will be done is for each pallet to be sealed. Then the driver is given a second seal and applies all those seals to the vehicle, so 20 seals on the back of a vehicle. “Clearly, that is not workable. There are real concerns here.

“There is a danger that customers and suppliers have expectations that they will be able to make this work. At the moment, we have no indication that it will work.”

Hardwick said the implementation of the Windsor Framework had been rushed and had lacked sufficient consultation with interested parties.

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The association's demands are part of its response to the government's call for evidence on freight, logistics and the planning system, which closes today (9 October).

It is also calling for stronger direction from government to ensure national transport priorities are identified and embedded throughout the planning system.

Jonathan Walker, Logistics UK head of cities and infrastructure policy, said: "Planning plays a key role in ensuring the necessary infrastructure is in place to not only keep freight moving, but also expand the sector.

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"Recent research by Oxford Economics identified that more targeted government investment and a closer working partnership with the logistics sector to help lift the barriers that currently inhibit industry, could boost annual UK GDP by up to £7.9bn per year by 2030. Any planning reform must address these barriers and give the industry a platform on which to grow.” 

Logistics UK argues that a joined-up approach in which local authorities engage with industry is also vital to the sector’s success.

Walker continued: “The logistics industry underpins every sector of the UK economy, and it is crucial the importance of our industry is recognised and reflected in planning reforms, not just at a national level, but also at a local level to support communities.

"Within our response, we have highlighted the need for local authorities to engage with industry on local plans from the outset, and throughout their development, to ensure the swift and sustainable delivery of crucial warehousing and logistics projects. 

“The planning system also plays an important role in the lead up to net zero by 2050. The logistics sector recognises the need to decarbonise, and is working hard to do so, but must be enabled to achieve this through a more supportive planning environment that supports investment and enables the delivery of the right energy and transport infrastructure for a net zero future.” 

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MTS, which was shortlisted in the training category at this year’s Motor Transport Awards, began its FORS journey in June 2019, undertaking an initial FORS Bronze audit for 42 trucks and vans at its headquarters in Rochester.

The organisation rapidly progressed through the different levels of the scheme, achieving FORS Gold accreditation in April this year.

The MTS Cleansing Services team said that, while it went for FORS Silver status in order to meet HS2 contract requirements, attaining Silver and then Gold status has also opened up new revenue streams for the company.

The move has also upskilled the company’s staff. Richard Fletcher, head of fleet and compliance became a qualified FORS Practitioner after completing the certification requirement of ten fleet management training modules.

The company’s drivers are also regularly provided with FORS Toolbox Talks, toolkits and other guidance, which has led to drivers having fully embraced best practice.

MTS Cleansing Services academy manager, Charlotte Taylor, who is responsible for training, was instrumental in introducing FORS into the business model.

Taylor said: “After becoming FORS Bronze accredited we realised FORS was able to provide a consistent and reliable audit service.

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“This ensured all our vehicles running out of Rochester, and our fleet operations generally, were legally compliant, safe and efficient.

“This provided the impetus to go on the FORS journey to achieve even higher levels of best practice. Then, our HS2 work presented us with a contractual requirement to attain FORS Silver, and this has certainly led to new business wins elsewhere.”

She added: “Very soon after, and though there was no specific business requirement, we set our sights on FORS Gold – to hit the highest quality levels of fleet management – and this is where the FORS training has become fundamental to fleet efficiency, especially helping drivers become even safer and even more productive.

“We’ve been FORS Gold for a few months now and we’re very well motivated to maintain our high-performance levels going forward.

“Furthermore, the DVSA, when performing spot checks on our vehicles, appear very satisfied with our FORS Gold accreditation, and we’ve experienced no issues as a result.”

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The Windsor Framework was introduced earlier this year in a bid to iron out the border delays between Britain and Northern ireland and Eire, created by the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The new Windsor Framework rules aim to prevent border delays by introducing the green and red lane system which sees two sets of differing customs checks performed, according to where goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain are being sold.

Goods for sale in Northern Ireland will use the green lane and be subject to minimal checks, providing firms sign up to new Trusted Trader schemes.

Goods travelling further, for sale in the EU, including Ireland, will be subject to more comprehensive checks with more documentation required.

Food sold in Northern Ireland will apply UK food standards, putting an end to the so-called sausage wars, when fears arose of a possible ban of chilled meat products being sold in Northern Ireland due to EU standards applying instead of UK ones.

ID inspections on goods crossing the border will also be substantially reduced, from 100% of sealed lorries down to just 5% in 2025.

Plant products will now no longer need full EU customs certification to enter Northern Ireland either if they are not for sale outside the region.

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The Windsor Framework has already introduced the same VAT, alcohol duty and energy tax rules as the rest of the UK to Northern Ireland, which did not exist under the Protocol.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris welcomed the move. he said: "The steak bake or infamous sausage roll will never again need to be accompanied by a signed certificate from a vet to move into NI from GB, removing a major irritant with the old arrangements.”

However Nichola Mallon, head of trade and devolved policy at Logistics UK, warned that the changes will involve “a huge learning process” for businesses adding that many not “fully ready”.

The government has announced a £50m support package to help businesses with the costs associated with producing new labels, along with an extension of the Movement Assistance Scheme, which waived fees associated with inspections and certificates required under the protocol.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the framework continues to pose problems. He said the DUP is still in discussions with the government on outstanding issues, adding: "We don’t believe that what’s there at the moment actually delivers what the prime minister said it would."

Northern Ireland's Republican parties argue the Framework offers Northern Ireland the opportunity to exploit business opportunities arising from its unique access to UK and EU markets.

Speaking at the NI investment summit last month, Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill, said “there is a tremendous opportunity here and we have to capitalise on access to both markets”.

The post Hauliers not ready for new Windsor Framework custom checks, Logistics UK warns appeared first on Motor Transport.

 Williams Haulage, which is based in Cynwyd in Corwen, was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay £8,400 costs after admitting to failing to manage risks posed by the operation of the loading bay.

A court in Llandudno heard that Jozsef Kovacs, aged 63, had been preparing a trailer before leaving Williams Haulage's site at Deeside Industrial Estate in North Wales on 16 March 2020 and heading for a site in Germany.

Kovacs, who was not employed by Williams Haulage, was trying to reach the top of his lorry, with one foot on the loading bay and the other on the back of another lorry.

However, he fell approximately 1.25 metres onto the concrete floor below, when the adjacent lorry was driven away. He sustained severe head injuries and died at the Royal Stoke University Hospital on 16 May 2020.

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The court was told that a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the incident found Williams Haulage had carried out a risk assessment that identified the risk from falls and introduced control measures, but these had not been used in practice.

The investigation also found that there was a lack of supervision and monitoring by Williams Haulage to check that these control measures were being used by its staff.

Additionally, it was revealed that insufficient consideration had been given to visiting drivers, particularly where English is not their first language.

Solicitor Nathan Cook for the prosecution said the company had breached its duties in managing the site. Defence lawyer Joseph Hart said “more robust” measures have been put in place to remedy the safety issues at the company, adding that the firm had a good health and safety record and a long history of employment and investment in the local area.

Kovacs’ daughter Agnes said in an impact statement: ”Our father’s death has caused great devastation for the whole family. It’s taken a big financial toll.” 

The post Williams Haulage fined £100,000 after HGV driver dies on site appeared first on Motor Transport.

The AFP is warning that a "small muddle" between different government bodies on the rules concerning the operation of 4.25 tonne vans is turning into a crisis preventing operators from committing to buying these vans.

The problem lies with contradictory advice from the Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles (OZEV) and the Driver Vehicle Standards Authority (DVSA) on which licence drivers need to drive 4.25 tonne electric vans.

In 2019, a special concession was created by the DfT for electric vans allowing drivers with a standard B licence, who previously could only drive 3.5 tonne vans, to drive a 4.25 tonne electric van, in recognition of the extra weight the batteries bring to the vehicle.

However, as more 4.25 tonne electric vans came to market last year it emerged that whilst OZEV believes the vehicles have been deregulated from all of the operator responsibilities that normally apply to vans over 3.5 tonnes, the DVSA and the DFT believe some still apply.

Confusion has surrounded what these additional operational requirements may be. According to the association's current interpretation, they include an MOT test every 12 months from new and a speed limiter to be fitted. In addition, any vehicles operating outside of a 100km radius of the base would be required to comply with EU driver hours rules and a tachograph would be required. However, for vehicles operating within the 100km radius a tachograph is not needed and should not be specified because it will then need calibration at MOT, and neither is an O licence required.

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Paul Hollick, AFP chair, said the situation is causing consternation among its members, with many cancelling their orders for 4.25 tonne vans because of the ongoing lack of clarity about the additional requirements surrounding these vans and fears they may inadvertently break the law by treating these vans like a 3.5 tonne diesel van.

He explained: “We’re big fans of the 4.25 tonne derogation. It makes absolute sense that the adoption of electric vans around the crucial 3.5 tonne mark should be made easier for as many fleets as possible.

"However, what we are seeing is confusion with, to adopt an old cliché, the left arm and the right arm of government seemingly at odds. This wouldn’t be so bad if the situation hadn’t now been dragging on for several months. It’s incredibly frustrating.

“Fleets are receiving all kinds of conflicting advice – not just from OZEV and the DVSA but manufacturers, dealers, leasing companies and others – with no resolution in sight. Instead, they’re understandably throwing their hands up in the air and we hear of many operators simply cancelling orders.”

Hollick said that the AFP is now stepping up its lobbying of OZEV, the DVSA and the DFT to bring their interpretations into line with the original intention that 4.25 tonne vans can be operated exactly like their 3.5 tonne equivalents – and was asking individual fleet operators do the same.

“We’re urging as many people within the fleet industry to make their feelings known as soon as possible. It really does seem that at a point in time when we should be seeing the government help to enable large scale adoption of electric vans for major operators, they’re allowing a small muddle to fester into a minor crisis. We first highlighted this issue in May and little or no progress seems to have been made. It needs to be resolved now.”

He added that the issue was adding to a general sense among some fleets that operating electric vans was simply not worth the hassle in the short-medium term.

“As the AFP has detailed in recent months, electric van adoption is generally proving much more difficult for many fleets than electric cars. This is especially true given concerns over range and payload, while unnecessary problems such as these 4.25 tonne issues create additional hurdles that are proving frustratingly difficult to sort out.”

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