Product category:
Logistics and freight transport
News Release from: Freight Transport Association | Subject: Operator Licensing Compliance Information Service
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 05 December 2003
If you can't 'keep on truckin' - what
then?
No matter what sort of business you run - if your vehicles were taken away how would you serve your customers? The Freight Transport Association warns of the need to protect your transport operation.
No matter what sort of business you run - if your vehicles were taken away how would you serve your customers? The Freight Transport Association warns of the need to protect your transport operation Transport may not be your core business - some 18000 companies in the UK run their own trucks to support their core business activity
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 12 Mar 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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They may be anything from an engineering company to a pizza supplier.
Typically, they don't consider that they are a 'transport company' and probably operate the vehicles as a 'necessary evil' to support their customer base - sound familiar? The operation of commercial vehicles is one of the most heavily legislated areas of business activity in the UK.
Barely a week goes by without a change in the law or a Court case altering the interpretation of existing legislation.
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Information, analysis and reaction to the Chancellor's statement and its effect on industry's transport operations was provided by Freight Transport Association.
Recorded driver time reminder
Lorry drivers carrying out work away from the vehicle between 06.00 and 08.00 hours BST, must record the work into the digital tachograph as work carried out between 05.00 and 07.00 hours UTC.
This, along with the increased and better targeted endeavours of the enforcement agencies, places a real onus on 'non-transport' companies to ensure they meet their compliance responsibilities and, crucially, have the ability to keep up-to-date with developments.
Sadly many businesses continue to fall foul of the regulations and feel the full force of the law.
Consider these statistics: * Each week, on average, 8 companies lose their entitlement to operate trucks.
* Nearly 9000 drivers hours and tachograph offences each year.
* Over 2500 overloading prosecutions this year.
* Typically, an appearance before the Courts on a transport related matter will result in fines and costs of over GBP 1000.
The need for operators to be absolutely confident in their transport systems and procedures is even more relevant with the Government's intention to introduce Corporate Killing legislation.
This will provide for custodial sentences to be passed against individuals within a company whose actions resulted in loss of life.
The demonstration of robust, industry standard best practice systems will be a vital defence in such tragic circumstances.
So where does an operator turn to for help in navigating this minefield? One of the quickest and easiest ways is to enlist the support of a specialist support body such as the Freight Transport Association who have recently launched their Operator Licensing Compliance Information Service.
This service was designed after much consultation with 'non-transport' companies who were running trucks on an 'own-account' basis.
This research showed a need for simple and straightforward information relevant to their needs.
Most companies operated entirely within the UK and were looking for a guide to 'industry best practice'.
They were also looking for practical support which provided answers relevant to their business operation without 'blinding them with science'.
As always, the power of information lies with its application.
The Operator Licensing Compliance Information Service aims to do exactly that.
By working with both the enforcement agencies and proven industry experts this service does a lot more than just telling operators the end goal, it also steps through the accepted industry best practice route to achieving this.
The continually updated service provides subscribers with an extensive guide to vehicle operations written in a 'how-to' style illustrated with case studies and frequently asked questions to ensure the reader quickly and easily understands the task at hand.
The guide focuses on each of the main compliance risk areas including: * Operator licensing.
* Drivers hours.
* Tachographs.
* Maintenance requirements.
* Vehicle loading.
* Driver licences.
Presented in a loose-leaf A4 format, the guide is easily updateable with the regular updates provided to ensure the information is completely up-to-date and accurate.
The service also provides regular email updates on breaking news and upcoming changes as well as more in-depth briefings on topical issues likely to affect organisations such as the recent mobile phone legislation and working time directive.
Subscribers are also provided with access to the most comprehensive transport compliance website available to the industry, Possibly the most valuable feature of this subscription is access to the Advice Centre.
Manned by industry experts, the Advice Centre provides individual support and advice to callers on any transport related issue.
Accepted as the industry experts, the Advice Centre fields some 25000 calls each year and the team of advisors are renowned for their ability to quickly understand an operators needs and provide detailed responses tailored specifically to the callers needs.
The Advice Centre is available during office hours Monday to Friday and all calls are charged at a standard National rate.
Since its launch the service has been taken up by many companies as an easy to understand and practical business tool and is quickly establishing itself as a 'must have' for non-transport companies running trucks.
Duncan McLean (MD: Henderson McLean) has many years of experience in running own-account transport operations and recognises the service as the best 'working reference manual' available for any transport operator.
It is presented in a good format, which is easy to understand and it is written in a language that non-transport specialists can understand.
Mark Cartwright, FTA Compliance Product Manager said, 'Enforcement in the transport sector is getting tougher and tougher and not only do you put your business at risk if non-compliant but you also your personnel and the general public.
How would you serve your customers if your transport operation was taken away? 'The best possible advice, peace of mind and the 'fire brigade' for your transport problems would cost you GBP 495 per year.
With constantly changing transport legislation and regulation, subscribers not only have peace of mind in compliance today but also safe guard compliance tomorrow.
Transport may not be your core business but - You'd be lost without it.
Make sure you're not.'.
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