| Setting the standard |
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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.
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. 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.
“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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