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Page 3
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HIGH TIME FOR A CODE OF PRACTICE
Operators say it's almost impossible to manage agency drivers out on the road and those agency drivers are said to have four times as many accidents as their in-house colleagues. But, as any TC will confirm, that doesn't affect operators' obligation to keep their 0-licence undertakings -so it certainly doesn't alter the rigour with which they need to police hours compliance for everyone behind the wheel of their vehicles, agency drivers or not.
It's time for a change in culture. There are many excellent agency drivers out there who feel shunned rather than valued by many of the firms they work for. We need to accept that our industry can't run without agency drivers, and that they deserve investment, training and respect. In return they need to offer proof of skills and hours worked. They should also be prepared to sign disclaimers stating that they haven't exceeded their hours and that the work they're being asked to perform won't put them in breach of the regulations.
CM supports the idea of a code of practice for operators, drawn up by the road transport industry. It should set out the steps an operator must take to ensure the freelance drivers he uses are safe, skilful and legal. This might well raise standards; it could also be an effective defence if things go wrong.
And once procedures are in place to give the industry confidence in agency drivers, nurture those relationships. Request the same drivers again and be prepared to take some responsibility for their careers and well-being in the way you would your own drivers. It makes no sense to say the industry can't cope without freelancers, then treat them as though they're of no importance. We're teaming up with the Road Haulage Association to draw up a code of practice for the use of agency drivers and we'd like to see you ideas for this. It's time to lay down the rules and find ways of managing the unmanageable. The responsibility will always be yourshadn't you better make sure you also have the control? We look forward to hearing your thoughts.
"CM supports the idea of a code of conduct drawn up by the road transport industry"