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Christmas quiz for agency drivers
Page 11
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• Risk management specialists Risk Answers has launched a checklist for hauliers employing agency drivers in the run-up to Christmas. This follows its research which showed agency drivers have four times as many accident as employees, and on average those accidents are 25% more expensive.
Risk Answers' general manager Peter Mason says that in the Christmas run-up there Is pressure on transport managers to get vehicles on the road, and there may be little notice of drivers being off sick. He warns operators to take extra care when employing agency staff at short notice.
"The most important thing is to check peoples' driving licences and not just take the agency's word for it," he suggests, "Companies should also inspect vehicles carefully before
they go out and again when they come back from delivering—and they should be seen to be doing that."
Risk Answers also advises hauliers to: • Vet all local agencies: identify and then use one reliable supplier. Invite a representative of the chosen agency to visit you: discuss with them the work required of their drivers and show them the velicles that will be used by their staff.
• Ask for drivers who have worked for the company in the past and have been satisfactory, or drivers who have already been screened and meet our needs. Make the process efficient by agreeing a list of approved drivers with the agency which is routinely updated. New agency drivers should be screened so that 'knovi, n' drivers are available. • When using an unknown driver ask for and take up references where practical.
• Take a copy of the licence, and date the copy. This will provide the company with the driver's full name and address, as required by the terms of your Operator's Licence and possibly your insurance cover.
• Obtain a written statement from the driver confirming that he has taken sufficient rest periods over the preceding days to undertake the work required. If he has already driven on the day required, he should also confirm, in writing, that he has enough hours available to do the work required.
• Consider paying agency drivers a bonus to encourage them to do a good job on the company's behalf. Such a scheme should reward good vehicle care and accident-free driving.