AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Gerard Palmer Huntapac Transport Preston Transport manager Gerard Palmer is

22nd September 2005
Page 37
Page 37, 22nd September 2005 — Gerard Palmer Huntapac Transport Preston Transport manager Gerard Palmer is
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

responsible for a 36-strong fleet in a company that grows and distributes fresh produce. That makes him one link in a chain of command where responsibility for health and safety issues is crucial.

His fear is that under the planned legislation there will be no clear definitions of vinere each manager's responsibility ends: "Let's say you have a vehicle and the transport manager takes all reasonable precautions to make sure it's safe, such as ensuring it has an MoT and is serviced regularly.

"But then you have a driver who doesn't bother to do his daily checks, or says he has done them when he hasn't. Under the chain of command, who would be liable for corporate manslaughter if anything should happen?' The strongest defence will lie in a company's ability to demonstrate it has taken all reasonable preventive action.

"We have a health and safety officer on site and she is always playing devil's advocate," Palmer reports. "Plus, our insurance company comes round every year and advises us on damage limitation. In short, we try to do everything we can to ensure we are operating as safely as possible."

Gerard Palmer