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10th August 2006, Page 26
10th August 2006
Page 26
Page 26, 10th August 2006 — Is your operation safe and secure?
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

MUCH IS SAID about the professionalism of agency drivers, health and safety at work and stolen vehicles— usually leading to criticism of the police for their seeming lack of interest.

I was asked to do a trunk from a local franchisee to the Birmingham hub of a major parcels carrier and was told there might be some manual handling of cages.

On arrival 1 wandered into a small warehouse full of cages; I told a person in there I was taking a lorry to Birmingham and he gave me a set of keys. I collected the unit and then the trailer from the other end of the estate and loading commenced. When checking the unit, two height indicators in the cab revealed the trailer would be 141t in (4.47m), which looked a bit on the low side.

Loading involved the fork truck driver putting the cages onto the trailer and me wheeling them into position. Once onto the step they needed accurate positioning as they only just fitted two abreast. The fixed top floor didn't leave enough headroom to stand upright. All the posters and health and safety information I've ever seen state not to lift or pull heavy weights with a bent back, but there was no alternative. So much for health and safety at work.

Two hours later I was on the road to Birmingham. I hadn't given my address, and nobody had even asked my name, let alone checked my licence or asked if I was legal. OK, my car was in the franchisee's car park and could be traced if the lorry went somewhere else — but if I were nicking the lorry. I'd probably have nicked the car as wellAnd hauliers complain when the police don't appear too interested! I wonder why.

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Locations: Birmingham

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