From testing and repair equipment to driver compliance, we look at how three suppliers are helping operators to meet regulations
Keeping staff and customers safe is a central requirement for operators. So much is this the case that a massive industry has been built around solutions to ensure compliance with safety regulations, with everything from the workshop to driver accreditation covered.
One business which focuses on improving safety in the workshop is Laser Tools. Its range of tools and safety products for hybrid and electric vehicles has been developed to create a dedicated programme covering all aspects of workshop, vehicle and personal safety, and related high-voltage tools and test instruments.
Laser Tools says: “All our products are tested and certificated to the latest international standards for working on, or close to, live high-voltage environments, as found on all modern hybrid and electric vehicles.
“When working on a variety of commercial vehicles, coaches and buses, our programme will help keep your employees and customers safe. The company is constantly thinking forwards with product developments and expanding the range to meet the ever-evolving needs of the automotive industry.”
Take, for example, the hydrogen-powered fuel-cell electric vehicle market. Laser Tools is committed to working closely with vehicle manufacturers to develop and manufacture tools specifically designed for the future vehicle workshop. By doing so, it aims to provide solutions that make new challenges and difficult jobs easier, ultimately ensuring the safe and efficient maintenance and repair of these advanced vehicles.
A recent introduction to the range is the Laser spark-resistant, fully insulated tool kit, which is useful for working on any live high-voltage applications where flammable gases may also be present. These are manufactured from hard-wearing beryllium copper which, unlike steel tools, are designed not to spark if struck or dropped.
The company says: “Laser Tools recognises the importance of continuous improvements and innovations. We invest significant resources in research and development, constantly seeking new technologies and techniques to enhance our product range.
“This commitment to innovation enables us to offer cutting-edge tools that are tailored to the evolving needs of the automotive industry. By staying ahead of the curve, we ensure that our customers have access to the most efficient and effective tools available in the market.”
Checking driver compliance
Outside of the workshop, another key area of safety for operators to consider is driver suitability. While many fleet operators may assume that regularly verifying drivers’ licences is simply a box-ticking exercise, the truth is quite different, believes compliance solutions specialist CheckedSafe.
In 2017, the RAC found that 25% of motorists with penalty points on their licence did not tell their employers when they received them. Meanwhile, only 13% of those surveyed would voluntarily inform their employers if they incurred licence points.
“These figures should be quite startling for any coach or bus operator managing a fleet of vehicles — particularly when the consequences of inadequate licence checks are considered,” says CheckedSafe co-founder Gary Hawthorne. The most severe of consequences include up to £20 million in fines for corporate manslaughter.
In 2023, there is growing pressure on organisations to demonstrate commitment to a stringent health and safety strategy, with driving licence verification forming the backbone of any comprehensive duty of care policy. In fact, DVSA advises that full licence checks be conducted at least every three months, although this should be more frequent for drivers who have penalty points.
For those operating a large fleet of coaches or buses, this can be a daunting task, which is why CheckedSafe has developed a solution to carrying out regular and remote licence checks on large pools of drivers.
The Burnley based business says: “At just £1.60 a check and available on a pay-as-you-go basis, the service is integrated into our original multi-award-winning Fleet Management platform but can also be used as a stand-alone solution.”
Driver walk-round courses
Aside from driver licence checks, ongoing training for drivers is another vital area of attention for all in the industry. Ridgeway Training has recently created a driver daily walk-round and defect reporting course. Taking place over half a day, it goes through their responsibilities and ensures that they are aware of their employers’ roles too.
Managing Director Chris Shelford explains Ridgeway held several of such courses last month, most notably with The Ready Group, in which it staged a mock daily check in which all drivers had to find six keys strategically placed in the areas most drivers miss.
Danny Betts, Head of Safety, Standards and Compliance at The Ready Group, says of this: “As per our ongoing training for all our drivers, it’s extremely important that our staff are fully up to date with the latest rules and regulations to ensure they and our customers are safe while travelling on our vehicles.
“And one of the most important checks to ensure the safety of everyone is the walk-round check completed by the driver prior to taking our vehicles out on the road.
“This course completed by Ridgeway Training gives our drivers the refresher training they require to ensure they check that our vehicles are safe and compliant before going on the road.”
Chris is also keen to highlight the need for trainers in the industry to keep up to date on the information they are imparting to drivers and managers.
“This industry changes without regularity,” he says. “Trainers will often find about a change when a student doubts the material being delivered. They are so busy ‘doing their jobs’ and don’t have time to research the industries they work in.
“We know that several training companies will not check on their trainers, normally waiting for feedback sheets before any concerns are raised. This can often be too late as issues could be identified a lot sooner before they cause problems.”
