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Safety comes from training and communication
Page 24
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AS A I)RIVER for over 20 years, I just could not believe what was printed in your safety conference report (CM 14 October). I was a safety rep for Christian Salvesen for six years and then did 14 years on tankers soT do feel! understand health and safety.
Taking action against drivers who have more accidents than normal, yes; sack them if you feel you can — no transport manager wants accidents or damage to his fleet — but consider where the next driver is coming from.
In my opinion sacking is not the way forward — the driver could simply require more training. You could have the wrong truck on the wrong job or you could be expecting too much from the driver on that day.
Seat-belts have only been made law in the past two years. I must admit! have been into wearing a truck seat-belt for the past three years, but I've never got in a truck that has reminded me to wear one and if a new law comes in make sure your staff are informed, don't have them informed by the police.
Reversing sensors? Yes... knock that gear lever over to reverse, look into both mirrors and wait for that sensor to make a noise.A sensor will not be a third eye in a court of law.The long and short of it is if you cannot drive or control the truck, don't get in the seat.
Equally, if you don't want drivers to climb onto tank trailers then don't build ladders on them. It's that simple.
You have rewarded the driver by employing him and giving him a job to drive your £100,000 investment. Let's not forget a truck can cause more damage than a gun if it's in the wrong hands The hourly rate that you are paying is what you are offering for the driver to do the job and look after the truck.You cannot keep giving them a bit here and a bit there unless you want unsettled drivers.
How could you check the driver for drugs and drink if he is away all week?! don't think it's the employer's job to carry out random alcohol and drug tests he is a haulage contractor, not a medic.
In fact your policy should be written into an employee's contract regarding drugs and alcohol, It's the only way to cover yourself. As for testing a driver's eyesight — surely this is done as a matter of course during HGV medicals?
Risk management is a very good thing but! don't think it should take up excess productive time if you get your own health and safety booklet together and get each driver to sign for one. Some drivers have plenty of waiting time on their hands to read them and sometimes reading is better than listening.
I'm sorry to have had to make these comments, but the haulage industry is short of respect and full of pressure and blame. Putting excess pressure on a driver is like putting no oil in an engine and we all know what happens then.
J Garlick