QNJAC has produced a toolbox talk highlighting

• The statutory duties of those involved with transport
• What actions they can take to avoid breakdowns
• What to do in the event of a breakdown.  

It is aimed at all those responsible for maintaining the safety of persons involved in, or impacted by, road haulage in the event of a vehicle breakdown - drivers, maintenance staff, fleet owners and hauliers, site operators and managers.

MPA has updated the Drivers Handbook,

The purpose of the Driver’s Handbook is to make LGV drivers aware of the risks that they may face or create while driving and operating vehicles and typically understanding how to manage the risks. The handbook outlines what is required of a driver in terms of his or her, vehicle, journey and driving behaviours. In addition it deals with emergency situations and gives practical advice on what to
do to help keep you safe from avoidable harm.

This handbook will help you work with your employer to avoid preventable incidents and injuries to yourself and other people when driving for work. It should be used with your employer’s driving for work policies and procedures.

The purpose of the Company Car and Van Handbook is to make companies and car/van drivers aware of the risks that they may face or create while driving and operating vehicles and typically understanding how to manage those risks. The handbook outlines what is required of a driver in terms of his or her, vehicle, journey and driving behaviours in line with the rules and regulations of UK roads. Travelling abroad and in Europe is also covered (pages 50-51). In addition it deals with emergency situations and gives practical advice on what to do to help keep you safe from avoidable harm.

Please see attached a summary report from Highways England on a recent vehicle inspection exercise run by Warwickshire Police, covering 173 vehicles.

The report highlights that 35% of the vehicles checked were defective in some way. This included a variety of issues that drivers should have picked up as part of their normal pre-use checks.

The report reinforces the importance of regular and thorough pre-use checks. More information on vehicle checks can be found in the MPA Drivers Handbook which can be downloaded from Safequarry.

Cemex UK has produced a short video on vehicle rollovers.

CEMEX Rollover Video

The video provides information on how vehicles, including mixer trucks and articulated tippers can become unstable and the measures that drivers can take to prevent rollovers. The video includes video footage of actual incidents which provide an impactful message. MPA recommends the video to members as an ideal way to raise awareness amongst their employees and contractors on the potential for vehicle rollovers and the actions that can be taken to reduce the risk of such occurrences.

QNJAC has published new or updated toolbox talks on 4 health and safety issues for drivers and hauliers. The toolbox talks identify key legislation, the variety of different individuals who have responsibility for ensuring safe working practices / best practice and identifies key activities. The topics covered are;

• Reducing tipper rollovers
• Control of RCS / Dust for drivers in quarries
• Vehicle breakdowns - prevention and management of them
• Vehicle isolation and maintenance - key control

These toolbox talks can all be viewed in the QNJAC section of Safequarry

Please view the new Drivers Handbook.

The handbook is designed to recognise the professionalism and  work  of  our  fleets  and  is  a  tool  for   working  drivers  to help  them  understand  and  manage  the   risks  that  they  face and create when driving and operating vehicles for work.

The  handbook  captures  the  Best  Practice  from  MPA's  membership.

Many companies have a DnA policy and procedure that covers their employees. However, some difficulties can occur when trying to apply similar standards to non-employed drivers. The aim is compliance - not barring people from sites. This note covers areas that should be added in to an Owner driver/franchisee contract or a hired driver’s purchase order. Impairment could occur from drinking at work, immediately prior to work, or some time before work. It could be from legal drugs inappropriately taken, or illegal drugs. This guidance addresses a number of areas that could be considered.

A Code of Practice on the coupling, uncoupling and parking of trailers produced by the (UK) Institute of Road Transport Engineers. This is aimed at managers, supervisors and trainers but has good advice for everyone who has responsibility for the safety of large goods vehicles and drivers.