Following reports of a number of loads for a key customer moving in transit on standard curtain side trailers hauled by sub-contractors, and particularly during the winter months, Wincanton formed a small working party to conduct dynamic testing on various paving products in order to understand and resolve the issues.

The attached presentation details the testing conducted for a wide range of load configurations (palletising, banding, strapping, spacing, corner boards, anti-slip mats) and identifies which configurations provide sufficient dynamic load security. The effects of seasonal weather conditions on dynamic load security are also considered.

QNJAC has produced a toolbox talk highlighting

• The statutory duties of those involved with transport
• What actions they can take to avoid breakdowns
• What to do in the event of a breakdown.  

It is aimed at all those responsible for maintaining the safety of persons involved in, or impacted by, road haulage in the event of a vehicle breakdown - drivers, maintenance staff, fleet owners and hauliers, site operators and managers.

MPA has updated the Drivers Handbook,

The purpose of the Driver’s Handbook is to make LGV drivers aware of the risks that they may face or create while driving and operating vehicles and typically understanding how to manage the risks. The handbook outlines what is required of a driver in terms of his or her, vehicle, journey and driving behaviours. In addition it deals with emergency situations and gives practical advice on what to
do to help keep you safe from avoidable harm.

This handbook will help you work with your employer to avoid preventable incidents and injuries to yourself and other people when driving for work. It should be used with your employer’s driving for work policies and procedures.

The purpose of the Company Car and Van Handbook is to make companies and car/van drivers aware of the risks that they may face or create while driving and operating vehicles and typically understanding how to manage those risks. The handbook outlines what is required of a driver in terms of his or her, vehicle, journey and driving behaviours in line with the rules and regulations of UK roads. Travelling abroad and in Europe is also covered (pages 50-51). In addition it deals with emergency situations and gives practical advice on what to do to help keep you safe from avoidable harm.

There is clear, simple guidance:

• for employers and those who engage drivers and riders on how to make sure the journey, driver and vehicle are safe
• for workers and those who drive and ride for work on their responsibilities 

Please see attached a summary report from Highways England on a recent vehicle inspection exercise run by Warwickshire Police, covering 173 vehicles.

The report highlights that 35% of the vehicles checked were defective in some way. This included a variety of issues that drivers should have picked up as part of their normal pre-use checks.

The report reinforces the importance of regular and thorough pre-use checks. More information on vehicle checks can be found in the MPA Drivers Handbook which can be downloaded from Safequarry.

QNJAC has published new or updated toolbox talks on 4 health and safety issues for drivers and hauliers. The toolbox talks identify key legislation, the variety of different individuals who have responsibility for ensuring safe working practices / best practice and identifies key activities. The topics covered are;

• Reducing tipper rollovers
• Control of RCS / Dust for drivers in quarries
• Vehicle breakdowns - prevention and management of them
• Vehicle isolation and maintenance - key control

These toolbox talks can all be viewed in the Guidance Section of Safeprecast

Please view the new Drivers Handbook.

The handbook is designed to recognise the professionalism and  work  of  our  fleets  and  is  a  tool  for   working  drivers  to help  them  understand  and  manage  the   risks  that  they  face and create when driving and operating vehicles for work.

The  handbook  captures  the  Best  Practice  from  MPA's  membership.

Many companies have a DnA policy and procedure that covers their employees. However, some difficulties can occur when trying to apply similar standards to non-employed drivers. The aim is compliance - not barring people from sites. This note covers areas that should be added in to an Owner driver/franchisee contract or a hired driver’s purchase order. Impairment could occur from drinking at work, immediately prior to work, or some time before work. It could be from legal drugs inappropriately taken, or illegal drugs. This guidance addresses a number of areas that could be considered.

A Code of Practice on the coupling, uncoupling and parking of trailers produced by the (UK) Institute of Road Transport Engineers. This is aimed at managers, supervisors and trainers but has good advice for everyone who has responsibility for the safety of large goods vehicles and drivers.