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The Road Haulage Association
is improving safety in
its industry and beyond with the RHA ICON programme |
MIchael Betts, recently-retired
senior Traffic Commissioner
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| “It has been suggested
that under the new offence of corporate killing, a company’s
behaviour is likely to be measured against industry standards” |
In 2001/2002, around 7.3 million working days were lost due to injury.
Every year, around 25,000 people leave work never to return because
of injury or stress. British industry is estimated to annually lose
£18 billion, 25 million working days and 10% of annual profits
through neglecting health and safety.
When something goes wrong and someone is killed or injured in a
workplace incident, it is increasingly the directors of a company
who are being held to account. So as well as missing out on the
business benefits of putting safety first, directors of companies
who fail to take safety seriously are at growing risk of prosecution.
In May 2000, the government published its proposals for a draft
Homicide Bill, which included plans to create a new offence of corporate
killing. Home Secretary David Blunkett’s recent announcement
that he is to publish a draft Bill with legislation expected this
autumn brings that offence a step closer.
It has been suggested that, under the new offence of corporate killing,
a company’s behaviour is likely to be measured against “industry
standards”. Behaviour falling far below what can be reasonably
expected is likely to result in conviction. RHA ICON sets the standard
for a safe, fair and effective road haulage industry.
Some companies still see safety management as a costly legal requirement
with no real business benefits. In practice, however, putting safety
first can substantially improve profitability. A safe business is
likely to be an efficient business. Fewer accidents mean a more
contented workforce, happier customers, reduced operational costs,
improved productivity and lower insurance costs. So running a safe
business does make real business sense.
RHA ICON has been developed to:
• Put directors of transport companies in control of vehicle
safety
• Reduce the frequency of deaths caused by vehicles
• Add to the efficiency of their business
There are some 600 HGV-related deaths every year. Some of these
will occur on the road, others in depots, distribution centres,
and customer sites. Each fatal accident is estimated to cost the
country £1m. The Traffic Commissioners have long believed
that prevention through proper management and regular training is
key to reducing this horrific annual waste. They have also made
it clear that they will clamp down hard on drivers or operators
who put at risk the safety of other road users.
Michael Betts, the recently retired senior Traffic Commissioner,
joins the growing support for ICON. Says Mr Betts: “Operator
licensing [‘O’ licensing] in its present form was introduced
in 1968, its two key planks being road safety and fair competition.
Licences were, and still are, fairly easy to obtain, following the
long-standing British culture of encouraging the entrepreneur. Key
to obtaining an ‘O’ licence is the undertakings given
to the Traffic Commissioner.
“Essentially they promise that the vehicles will be safely
maintained and safely driven; fundamental requirements to ensure
that road safety and fair competition are achieved. The undertakings
refer to drivers’ hours and tachograph records, vehicle maintenance,
speed limits and so on. They are, of course, legally binding on
the operator. Key to them all is the operator’s declaration:
‘I will make proper arrangements to ensure that. . . ’
the individual undertakings will be fulfilled.”
From a Traffic Commissioner’s perspective, a “proper
arrangement” can only be one that is tried and tested and
constantly reviewed and updated. It must be a system that asks difficult
and searching questions, lots of “what ifs”, and which
is not satisfied by simplistic answers.
One of the first things that the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
(VOSA) inspector is likely to ask when making a visit is for some
form of evidence that proper arrangements are in place. Many operators
find difficulty in demonstrating this with confidence. Essentially,
many operators have never asked themselves about the risks they
face. And it is the assessment of risk that will determine what
steps, what “proper arrangements”, are put in place
to guard against the unexpected.
Given the need for hauliers to be able to clearly demonstrate to
the Traffic Commissioners that proper “O” licence compliance
arrangements are in place, the Road Haulage Association has devised
RHA ICON. It enables hauliers, and indeed any users of vehicles,
to readily compile and maintain concise records of the steps they
have taken to comply with their undertakings.
ICON will also ensure that, in the event of threatened or actual
prosecution following a serious road accident, a robust defence
can be rapidly prepared to show that the company has done all that
is reasonably practicable to control the activities of their staff
and the use of its vehicles.
RHA ICON offers a carefully-devised programme of actions designed
to allow hauliers to rapidly introduce a culture of road transport
safety. Those who meet the minimum standards necessary for safe
operation and “O” licence compliance will qualify for
the first level of ICON certification. As well as qualifying for
the highest level of ICON certification, those who implement the
ICON programme in its entirety can expect real business benefits.
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| “Turning safety theory
into a series of practical actions that will not get in the
way of hauliers’ day-to-day business is what RHA ICON
is all about” |
Turning safety theory into a series of practical actions that will
not get in the way of hauliers’ day-to-day business activities
is what RHA ICON is all about. The first step is a face-to-face
meeting with an ICON risk adviser to help the operator carry out
an initial risk survey.
Having gained a clear understanding of what transport safety measures
are already in place, the risk adviser works with the haulier to
devise a practical action plan to ensure that, over an agreed timescale,
those areas that require development can be prioritised and addressed.
The application of the ICON programme is monitored by regular and
independent audit.
Mr Betts says: “I have reviewed the ICON programme in great
detail. Clearly, ICON has been specifically developed by transport
companies to address the issues faced by transport companies. It
is a structured system that starts by assessing the risks facing
a company. ICON then develops a programme to put into place arrangements
and structures to reduce or eliminate those risks. It is wide-ranging
and involves everyone in the business from drivers to directors
and traffic office to maintenance staff. It raises their awareness
of those risks and includes training and development for all of
them.
“Any operator who is following the ICON programme can be confident
that they have, as required by their ‘O’ licence undertakings,
proper arrangements in place. If need be, they can prove it!
“Proper arrangements are about safe, fair and efficient road
transport. An industry standard is needed to take these principles
forward. I am absolutely clear that ICON is that standard for the
road transport industry for the future.”
For more information on RHA ICON tel:
0870 443 9496
E-mail: info@rhaicon.net
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