Personal Protective Equipment

What is Personal Protective Equipment?

“All equipment (including clothing affording

protection against the weather) which is intended to

be worn or held by a person at work and which

protects him against one or more risks to his health or

safety”

Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations

1992 (as amended)

PPE at Work Regulations 1992

At the very minimum, LGV

drivers should ensure they

have available:

• High-visibility clothing, vests,

jackets, etc.

• Protective footwear

Other PPE included:

• Safety helmets

• Gloves

• Eye protection

• Harnesses

Vehicle Maintenance

Vehicle Maintenance

• Driving efficiently and economically does

reduce maintenance costs

• Wear and tear is decreased because the

vehicle is driven more sympathetically

Vehicle Maintenance

However . . .

This does not reduce the importance of

vehicle maintenance to ensure the vehicle

is kept running in an efficient manner . . .

Vehicle Maintenance – Driver Responsibilities

As the driver of the vehicle you are responsible

for:

Carrying out a daily inspection of the vehicle

- Issues and defects should be reported and

the vehicle must not be driven until they are

resolved

Reporting any issues or defects that may arise

on a journey pro

- Hesitancy and loss of power affect

efficiency and could point to a larger problem

Vehicle Walkround Checks

Daily Walkround Checks

• List of items to be checked

• Lights, Indicators, Reflectors & Markers

• Windscreen, Wipers & Screen Wash level

• Tax Disk & Operators Licence (Correct and

Displayed)

• Mirrors

• Number Plate

• Oil, Ad Blue & Fuel levels

• Spray Suppression Flaps

• Tyres, 1mm tread depth all the way around

circumference and 3 quarters across.

• Battery Condition & Security

• Couplings (If Applicable)

• Grab Handles

• Catwalk

• Steps

• Horn

Daily Walkround Checks

• Brakes, no pressure leaks, in-cab gauge shows

correct build up.

• Landing legs(if applicable)

• Dog Clip and 5th Wheel release handle

• Security of load

• Fuel tank and seal

• Tachograph calibration date.

• Please note these checks will vary slightly from

operator to operator.

Daily Walkround Checks

Warnings and Symptoms

As well as daily inspections, drivers should pay

attention to:

The handling and feel of the vehicle

Black smoke, which may indicate an issue that

compromises fuel efficiency or something more

serious

Drivers must be aware that upon any inspection by

enforcement officers; steering, braking and tyre

defects will carry mandatory points on the drivers

licence.

Warnings and Symptoms

As well as daily inspections, drivers should pay

attention to:

Warning lights that appear on the

dashboard

Air Brake System

If the air pressure, indicated by an

in-cab gauge, fails to build or

remain at the correct level, the

compressor may be faulty or the

system may be leaking.

Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS)

ABS is generally regarded as being safer:

Risk of multiple vehicle crashes reduced by 18%

Risk of ‘run-off-road’ crashes reduced by 35%

On-road braking distances improved

Removes the need to use ‘threshold/cadence’ braking.

However, braking distances increase on sand, gravel and

snow

A typical anti-lock system can apply and release braking

pressure up to 20 times per second.

ABS does not work at speeds under 6-10 kph.

This speed can vary depending on the type of system

fitted.

Reporting Defects

Serious defects should be recorded and

reported to a competent person

Minor defects can be rectified by the driver

Minor defects rectified by the driver should

be signed off by the driver as ‘rectified’

Before the driver does attempt to rectify any

defects, he must make sure he is not going

against company policy. As this will vary

from operator to operator.

Defect Reports

Record any defects that

might adversely affect

the safety of the vehicle

Defect reports must be

kept for 15 months by

the operator

Include ‘Nil’ reports

when no defects are

found to prove that the

daily check took place

Not compulsory, but

useful and a good habit

to form

Vehicle Maintenance – Workshop Responsibilities

As well as the driver, the vehicle workshop plays a key role

in the maintenance and general efficiency of the vehicle

Poor maintenance regimes lead to:

Higher costs through part failure

Reputation damage

Potential safety issues

Vehicle Maintenance

Operators have a responsibility

and liability for ensuring that

their road-going vehicles

operate in a safe and

mechanically sound condition

and at all times conform to the

standards contained in various

regulations, regardless of

policies concerning fuel

efficiency

Vehicle Maintenance

Safe and Efficient Vehicle

Regular workshop

maintenance

Driver feedback

Daily inspections and defect reporting

Maximum Weights

How do you know the maximum weight that is How do you know the maximum weight that is

allowed on your vehicle (Maximum Permissible

Weight)?

allowed on your vehicle (Maximum Permissible

Weight)?

How do you know the maximum weight

that is allowed on your vehicle (Maximum

Permissible Weight)?

Maximum Weights Check vehicle ‘plates’

Check vehicle ‘plates’

Gross vehicle weight (GVW) includes weight of vehicle, load and driver

Weights given in metric unitsr

Weights given in metric units

Overloading

Overloading

Overloading can:

– Cause tyre ‘blow outs’

– Could invalidate the operators insurance cover

– Increases fuel costs fuel costs

– Result in prohibition notice

– Could result in heavy fines for both driver and

operator, as much as £1000/tonne

Overloading

Overloading results in:

– Damage to roads, vehicles and bridges

– Drivers and other road users being at risk

– Reduced vehicle stability

– Increased stopping distances

VOSA Load Security Matrix- intended as guidance

and does not cover all eventualities. Other factors -

such as speed of vehicle – will be taken into account.

Operator Compliance Risk Scores

OCRS is a point-scoring system used by VOSA since

2006 to ‘index’ operator compliance in the areas of:

Road worthiness

Traffic offences, including tachographs, drivers’

hours, overloading

Prosecution

Allowing VOSA to target its resources at operators

who are more likely to be non-compliant

OCRS – How Does it Work?

Points are issued for defects/infringements to

roadworthiness and/or traffic offences. The number

of points issued depends on the severity of the

offence:

An inspection with no defects or infringements

scores ‘0’

Specific data is used to score operators:

– Annual test data

– Fleet vehicle inspections

– Roadside checks

– VOSA Prosecution and Legal Services records

(including previous convictions)

OCRS – Baseline Scores

The average number of points per event are

calculated to produce the operator’s Baseline Score

TOTAL OFFENCES/DEFECT POINTS

NUMBER OF EVENTS

A league table is produced based on the

operator’s score.

= BASELINE SCORE

OCRS – Scores

VOSA from Oct 2012 will not compare operators to

their peers. Instead VOSA will use absolute

performance measures, meaning:

An operator’s score will only change due to their

enforcement and test history

An operator who has no score now will be

categorized into the new band table as GREY

OCRS – Banding Table

Band Roadworthiness

Traffic Enforcement

RED

Baseline over 25

Baseline over 30

AMBER

Baseline over 10 and up to 25

Baseline over5 and up to 30

GREEN

Baseline up to 10

Baseline up to 5

GREY

No Baseline score

No Baseline score

OCRS – Impact on Drivers?

99% of prohibitions are issued as a result of

roadside checks

99% of roadworthiness defects found during

roadside checks have been found to be a direct

result of daily walk around inspections not being

completed correctly

Your actions can directly affect your operator’s

OCRS

Vehicle Stability

Speed

Road surface

Weather

Tyre pressures and condition

Uneven distribution of load

Excessive braking and acceleration

Poorly maintained vehicle

Driver behaviour

Factors that affect vehicle stability:

Vehicles and Equipment Used

Ensure that:

-Your vehicle is suitable for the type of load to be carried

-You have sufficient and appropriate securing equipment

and have been trained in its use

-Loads are secure at all times, especially after a violent

manoeuvre such as heavy braking or swerving

-The vehicle floor is in good condition and will withstand the

weight of the load

-The vehicle floor will withstand the weight of lift trucks if used

when loading/unloading

-Check bodywork, platforms and anchorage points are in

serviceable condition prior to loading

Headboards and Front Bulkheads

Important part of load restraint system

Should be capable of withstanding a force equal to

at least half the rated payload of the vehicle

Should be the same width as the vehicle

Sufficient in height to restrict forward movement

Load should be in contact with the headboard for

maximum effectiveness

Must be reinforced if necessary

Should be examined frequently for damage

Road Traffic Act 1991

“A person is guilty of using a vehicle in a dangerous

condition if he uses, or causes or permits another to

use, a motor vehicle or trailer on a road when the

purpose for which it is used or the weight position or

distribution of its load, or the manner in which it is

secured is such that the use of the motor vehicle or

trailer involves a danger of injury to any person.”

Road Traffic Act 1991

Does anyone know the penalty for infringing

these regulations?

The max penalty for this

offence if committed in

respect of a goods vehicle is a

£5000 fine, plus 3 penalty

points and disqualification

Road Traffic Act 1991

“A person is to be regarded as Driving dangerously if

it would be obvious to a competent and careful

driver that driving the vehicle in its current state

would be dangerous. In determining the state of the

vehicle for this purpose, regard may be had to

anything attached to or carried on or in it and to

the manner in which it is attached or carried.”

Road Traffic Act 1991

Does anyone know the penalty for dangerous

driving?

The maximum penalty for

dangerous driving is 2

years’ imprisonment

The maximum penalty for

causing death by

dangerous driving is 14

years’ imprisonment

ANY QUESTIONS?

Your Local Training & Development Partner