OPERATORS
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HANDBOOK
• Following the recent introduction of the Road Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances in Packages etc) Regulations 1986, hauliers carrying dangerous substances covered by the new law are rapidly becoming aware that previously acceptable methods of providing "information in writing" for use during road transport now lack flexibility.
The provision of 'multi product' information to cover mixed loads can also cause problems, particularly in some police areas where the practice is frowned upon.
Hazchem Signs of Whitchurch Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex, has developed an IBM PC-compatible software package using pre-printed, purposedesigned forms which has the capacity to produce and store data sheets specific to the consignors' products and also provide a database of some 400 substances. It comes with a comprehensive user manual.
The Datasheet program and Database are available separately, allowing in-house composition of product data discs which can be supplied to transport or storage contractors, thereby complying with the consignors' obligation to provide information regarding the dangerous properties of consignments. The discs can then be used to produce information in writing, as and when required.
The Datasheet program, Database and user manual are available at £220 plus VAT and Hazchem (01-952 8248) is offering a free trial to prospective buyers.
• The operating company for the Grand-St-Bernard Tunnel between Italy and Switzerland has introduced new bonus schemes for commercial vehicles. Since the beginning of this month drivers buying a 10-journey (single) season ticket have been given one free voucher, while those buying a 20-journey season ticket have received two free vouchers. This is in addition to the existing end-of-year 'loyalty' bonus.
The cost of a 10-journey (single) season ticket is SFr238 for a light commercial; SFr472.50 for a two/three axle rigid and SFr787.50 for an HGV with more than four axles. A 20-journey ticket for the three classes is SFr476, SFr945 and SFr1,575 respectively; the season tickets are valid for 12 months.
• Liquefied petroleum gas supplier Calor Gas is offering up to £150 off the cost of a commercial bulk LPG gas tank for fork-lift trucks on orders placed before 30 November.
Calor claims that a bulk installation is a viable proposition for all operators running two or more LPG-powered forklifts.
A typical one-tonne/2,000 litre bulk LPG tank with electric pump, dispenser and gun — but not including the cost of a concrete base and electrics — is normally priced at around £350. According to Calor, bulk installation pays for itself within the first year — particularly with the latest 2150 offer. By buying in bulk operators can not only refill their fork-truck cylinders at any time, but also buy their bulk LPG at cheaper rates.
Calor offers a range of three bulk tanks: one-tonne/2,000 lit; a two-tonne/4,000 lit and a 12tonne/24,000 lit. A 2,000 litre tank will need a minimum allround clearance of 3.04 metres.
Calor runs an automatic topup service through its UK depot network, with each tank intended to hold a four-week supply depending on the number of fork-lifts. In addition to the standard 29 litre refillable cylinders for fork-trucks, Calor can also supply operators with cylinders up to 70 litres, allowing heavy users to get through more than one shift without a For further details operators should contact Calor on (0753) 40000, or call their nearest Calor depot.
• Weighwrite of Farnham, Surrey (0252 711011) has developed a new version of its dynamic axle weigher which compares the actual weight of a truck with its pre-entered plated weight, and prints a warning if it is overloaded.
The system has been installed at a number of BICC depots, linked to Weighwrite's Series 2500 printer and Static 760 weighbridge.
Vehicle plated axle, and gross weights are stored in the system's memory. Before weighing, the driver keys in his vehicle's fleet number. When the weight ticket is printed, the vehicle's plated weights are shown alongside the actual axle and gross weights, with an overload warning if appropriate.
Each weighing is stored in the system's memory, enabling reports to be printed showing vehicle-by-vehicle axle and gross weights against time and date, with any overloads highlighted. The transport manager can easily check whether any load has been redistributed, and reweighing carried out by a driver.
Weighwrite claims the system has a number of benefits for a haulier trying to avoid overloading within his fleet. Drivers have to use the equipment even when nobody is looking and they have to take notice of the printed warning. The system can also aid drivers taking out an unfamiliar vehicle. • The Automobile Association advises drivers heading for the Continent with in-cab phones that if they do not remove them before leaving Britain they run the risk of having them confiscated by foreign customs.
The AA says that handsets have been impounded by foreign customs, for collection on the return journey. The reason given is that UK telephones are incompatible with overseas networks, and may interfere with emergency services' radio bands. This seems particularly common in France.
AA Mobile Communications now provides a safe storage service for handsets for those drivers needing their phones on the way to the Channel Ports.
At Dover, Portsmouth and Harwich AA Port Offices, which are open 24-hours a day, handsets can be stored safely for up to 31 days at a cost of £5.75 for AA members and £11.50 for non-members.
The AA also advises all operators with in-cab phones to check that such equipment is covered by their existing insurance policies as in-cab phones are an obvious target for vehicle thieves.
• Thorn Security has published a new six-page brochure on its closed circuit television (CCTV) equipment for security use.
CC'TV is claimed to deter vandalism and theft when used to protect buildings and sites such as freight depots, lorry parks and plant storage areas.
The brochure describes the cameras, monitors and telemetry control which comprise a CCTV system. Copies are available from Thorn Security, phone 01-368 9555. executive could be one of the most important decisions a motor company manager is ever called upon to make, according to the latest recruiting guide from Sewells International.
The 200-page booklet Recruiting Successful Sales Executives, priced at 285, says that a sales manager achieving figures at the national average can bring in an income of 2257,000 a year, while a manager capable of achieving above the average can generate more than £860,000.
Recruiting Successful Sales Executives is designed to serve as a complete sales recruitment manual.
It discusses marketing the vacancy and gives examples of successful recruiting advertisements. It also offers detailed guidance on initial screening of applicants, grading responses and making rejections. Interviewing techniques are covered along with sample letters covering how to reply to both successful and unsuccessful candidates.
Copies of the report are available from Sewells International, 1 Queen Square, Bath, phone (0225) 318500.
SAIMT TELEPHONE HOTLINE • Operators can now find out if their vehicles are subject to a motor industry recall via the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Recall Information Point, which supplements the existing recall system.
Enquiries may be made on 01-235 7000 between 09.00hrs and 17.00hrs, Monday to Friday, or addressed to SMMT, Consumer Affairs Department, Forbes House, Halkin Street, London SW1X 7DS. vey Island, Essex now offers a specialist boat moving service with its own step frame semitrailer. For further details contact Haicon on (0268) 511611.
• This year's Transport and Distribution Services Show will be held at the new Wembley Exhibition Centre, London, on 6-8 October 1987. The Road Haulage Association and the Institute of Physical Distribution Management are co-sponsoring the event, which they say will feature more than 250 exhibitors.
A one-day seminar entitled The demand of the retail sector will be held on the first day of the exhibition, Tuesday 6 October, in the Seven Suite of the conference centre. It will include an experience report on a contract distribution service, a review of modern information technology and a case study.
Vehicle manufacturers, computer software houses, packaging and property companies, bodybuilders, component suppliers and operators will be displaying their wares.
• This Sunday, 13 September, the National Lorry Driver of the Year class championship and national title finals will be held at Cranfield Airfield, Bedfordshire.
In addition to the driving tests there will be a number of supporting events including the Iveco Ford Truck Top Landing, and truck ride-and-drives.
For further details call John Wells on (09066) 5451/2.
• Motor Auction Group has opened a new branch at Green Lane, Walsall. Initially it will be restricted to cars and a few light CVs, but the company plans to add heavy truck auctions early next year.
Auction days are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call MAG Walsall on (0922) 721555. • Letting an untrained operator lose on a fork lift truck can lead to disastrous results — even fatalities. A lack of formal training caused nearly 50% of the 92 fatal accidents involving fork lift trucks which have been recorded since 1984.
To help its members the Freight Transport Association now offers approved training courses which comply with the latest Health and Safety Commission Code of Practice.
The FTA courses cover competence tests for experienced operators as well as a full five-day course for complete newcomers. A three-day course is tailored for operators with a limited experience. All training is conducted on the member's premises and certificates are awarded on completion of a course.
The course costs £125 plus VAT per day for up to three trainees. More details are available from Sue Moody at the FTA on (0892) 26171.