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The potential pitfalls of using agency drivers usually stem from
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the fact that they will not necessarily be familiar with the role for which they have been hired, Holding an HGV licence does not give familiarity with every aspect of a particular haulier's operation.
This is one reason why the Freight Transport Association (ETA) is producing a guide on how operators can ensure the best use of agency drivers. ETA transport advisor Ian Smith says the organisation decided to produce the guide mainly because of calls from members or clarity on issues including how to choose an agency, who is responsible for what, and how to avoid legal difficulties.
In many ways, the issues for hauliers with agency drivers are no :iifferent to those with permanent staff. Although all drivers have personal responsibility for obeying the law, the company also has responsibility for ensuring that they do so.
The first thing that a haulier can do to ensure It gets the right driver or the job is to make sure it tells the agency exactly what it needs.
The ETA says that some problems arise because information given o agencies is incomplete or vague, which makes it hard to match a driver to an assignment. Information that helps to select drivers includes not just driving entitlement, but also a description of the type of work to be carried out and any details of specialist operations. The FTA says that one common area of confusion is who is responsible for managing driver fatigue.
This is not a simple and straightforward matter, but the main responsibilities are outlined in the ETA table below.
The 'employer' is the agency employing the driver, and the 'transport undertaking' is the haulier or whoever is operating the vehicle.