By Mark Cartwright, Head of Vans and Light Commercial Vehicles, FTA
With fatigue a contributing factor in around 30 per cent of fatal incidents on the UK's roads, van drivers must understand the dangers of driving while drowsy; equally, employers must adopt a strict no tolerance rule. But with 40 per cent of all car, van and lorry drivers admitting to driving while tired, it is clear there is much more work to be done.
With the help of Marcus de Guingand, Managing Director of Third Pillar of Health, who spoke at our recent Van Excellence Operational Briefings, let's look at some of the ways fatigue can affect a person – both in the short and long term – and as you'll see, the symptoms go well beyond simply feeling drowsy:
- Reduced energy, alertness, vigilance and productivity
- Stress, mood shifts, irritability and strained relationships
- Daytime drowsiness and microsleeps
- Reduced vocabulary and poor communication skills
It is easy to see how fatigue can impact work performance, and in particular, our ability to drive safely. The Third Pillar of Health encourages any company whose employees operate vans to adopt a strict no tolerance approach to driving while tired. This should include intervening when a driver appears too tired to drive, and reviewing internal policies and procedures to ensure drowsy driving is prohibited and the ban maintained.
Of course, van drivers must also take responsibility for themselves; they can stay safe by spotting the warning signs of tiredness early – such as frequent yawning and eyelids drooping – and taking evasive action as soon as possible. For advice on how drivers can overcome tiredness while already on the road, please scroll down the webpage to our August blog.
By Mark Cartwright, Head of Vans and Light Commercial Vehicles, FTA
Remember, remember the fifth of November; fireworks can be dangerous and it is important you check the regulations governing their transportation ahead of the big night. Fireworks are explosives, after all, and can cause significant damage to property and people; they must be treated with respect. If you are planning to move fireworks or any associated paraphernalia, this blog is for you.
Your load consignment could be anything from sparklers to full pyrotechnics; these all have different requirements so make sure you obtain specialist advice before you transport any item. But whatever the type of product or its quantity, there are a few basic rules to remember.
Firstly, store any items in a cool, dry place before moving them, and stack them carefully when inside the vehicle – do not leave room for them to slide about or crash into other boxes. And do not pack fireworks with other items; leave them in their original packaging as it is optimised for their transportation.
Make sure the interior of your vehicle is well ventilated, so that fireworks stay dry inside. Condensation and moisture can ruin a celebration night if your firework becomes nothing more than a damp squib!
As with any cargo, fireworks must be loaded securely, and not left to slide around on the floor of the van, or, even worse, to fall from racking. Remember what you are carrying when driving around: no sudden movements, overly-sharp braking or surging acceleration, all of which could dislodge your cargo and cause a potential incident.
It's also worth remembering that fireworks are now a year round fixture at parties and weddings, so you may be called on to move them at other times in the year. If it is going to be a regular occurrence, it would be worthwhile obtaining specialist training on how to do so, and the regulations involved. FTA’s Training Team provides such training – to find out more visit www.trainingteam.co.uk
