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TAKING SIDE-SWIPES SERIOUSLY
Page 36
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There can't be a fleet in the UK that hasn't experienced problems with accident damage serious or minor and the 36-strong Alan Firmin fleet is no exception. Most of the damage its trucks sustain is to the nearside, some from side-swipes, but mostly from hitting things while moving in confined spaces.
Fleet manager Stuart Joyce couldn't put an exact figure on body repairs, beyond saying it was in four figures. For a fleet that buys trucks painted in a unique colour, and takes pride in its appearance, even minor damage is cause for concern.
Every bit of damage is investigated, and appropriate measures are taken to prevent any repetition. These can range up to full-blown disciplinary procedures, although no driver has yet been dismissed, but the firm prefers to resolve things through training.
Alan Firmin is proactive when it comes to such matters. Rob Ellis is employed as the compliance and training manager, with responsibility for all matters on the road and in the yard. The firm already has one in-house driving instructor and contracts out NVQ training in goods vehicle driving, customer service and traffic service operations. However, by the end of the year, it intends to have set up 'Is own full-scale training centre, incorporating Driver CPC training, NVQ and RTITB assessments, and a second, female driving instructor.
Joyce has also specified the following message be painted on the nearside footwell of all of Firmin's new trucks: "if you can read this I can't see you' as a warning to those who insist on getting close to a turning truck,"