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Shift patterns cause accidents
Page 28
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WITH REGA RD TO your article on agency drivers (CM 17 November). I would like to comment on John Andrew's statement that TNT has dramatically improved its accident statistics by eliminating agency drivers.
'this gave the impression that it was the agency drivers per se that were the cause of any accidents.
I would argue that it wasn't just eliminating agency drivers that reduced the accident ies, but also eliminating drivers not on a fixed shift pattern. I work permanent nights, so my body clock's sleep pattern is the same as any permanent night driver for any company. Being an agency driver in no way increases the risk of tiredness in that circumstance.
suspect that eliminating rotating shift patterns, or agency drivers who work different shifts, would be more effective than getting rid of all agency drivers.
Mr Andrews makes the valid point that he doesn't know what
agency drivers have been doing I during the day.Neither does he know what his own drivers have
been doing. I know drivers who
work nights purely so they can get
the kids to school.eollect them in
the afternoon and be at home with them during school holidays. Hardly the best rest you can get.
He can't know what his day drivers have been doing for that matter— using the internet, clubbing, moonlighting on taxis and so on are all temptations to keep day drivers from their rest, whether employed or agency.
The same applies to weekend rest periods. I know several 'lulltime' drivers who work five days a week for their employer and one or two for an agency.T'his particularly seems to apply to companies working a four-on, four-off shift pattern to comply with the wry.
Four days is just a bit too tempting, but the extra working shifts are never declared, either to the employer or to the agency.
And the 'need' for overnight parcels seems to have created a culture of ' the parcels have to go, no matter what',Ask at the traffic window about routes and you're met with blank looks. So you end up with tired drivers, in areas they don't know, in the dark, with 1611 trailers and no advice available regarding low bridges or other hazards.This doesn't do much to ensure accidents don't happen.
I'm not entirely disputing Mr Andrew's comments, but I feel there are deeper factors at play. The whole working environment merits examination.
Roy Lark in Northfield, Birmingham