Training pays dividends at Sainsbury's

Supermarket giant Sainsbury's has evolved its 'tick box' driver safety course into a comprehensive occupational risk management programme across its home delivery fleet. A driver assessment and training programme introduced four years ago at the supermarket group in conjunction with DriveTech (UK) has developed into a multifaceted incident-reduction programme focused on the company's rapidly-expanding 800- strong home delivery fleet and its drivers.

To date, more than 1,800 drivers have undergone training and assessment at 110 stores nationwide from where Sainsbury's Online home delivery operates and covers 82% of UK households. The programme for all drivers, as well as back-up drivers, is expected to almost double in the next three years as the home delivery service is rolled out to more stores.

Assessment

Apart from driver assessment and subsequent on and off-road training tailored to individual requirements, experts at risk management specialists DriveTech (UK) are also focusing on improving vehicle maintenance and vehicle loading.

A training/booking website has been introduced that enables each online manager and HR manager to directly book training as soon as possible for individual drivers and it also gives online access to driver history and all accident details.

With drivers consistently delivering to meet one-hour customer time slots, time management, both in terms of 'in-store' shopping and journey planning is essential. Jason Soar, delivery operations manager, Sainsbury's Online, said: "Our drivers have to undertake a lot of parking and manoeuvring at customers' addresses as well as in loading areas at stores.

"Historically, this has resulted in damage to vehicles and training has significantly cut repair costs to the company."

Ensuring the health and safety and overall welfare of delivery drivers is essential and all vehicles are equipped with satellite navigation and telemetry to aid fl eet operating efficiency and an SOS facility to enable the lone working drivers to communicate with a contact centre.

Additionally, keeping vehicle downtime to an absolute minimum is a vital part of day-to-day fleet operations and a daily vehicle inspection schedule has been introduced that encourages drivers to ensure the mainly Mercedes-Benz 3.5 tonne gvw vehicles are maintained in tip-top condition with fluid levels and tyre pressures checked daily.

Mr Soar explained: "Vehicles have also been damaged as a result of being kerbed and drivers misjudging space when travelling, so it has been important that colleagues receive advice and training as appropriate to ensure our delivery vans remain on the road as much as possible.

"If required a DriveTech (UK) trainer will be deployed into a store to advise on a specific training following an incident."

A further initiative, for example, has seen reflective yellow tape placed on the back of wing mirrors to give on-coming drivers a better idea of the size of the Sainsbury's Online vehicles. In trials incidents of wing mirrors being damaged has halved.

All accidents, however small and whether or not they involve a third party, are now investigated by DriveTech (UK) with recommendations made that can range from further training, which is always carried out while deliveries are made, to verbal advice or, in the most serious cases, the colleague being stood down from driving duties.

Reduction

Mr Soar added: "The programme in trial stores has resulted in a reduction in damage of about two-thirds of previous levels.”

Meanwhile, being a major high profile company maintaining the right public image is essential. Jim Kirkwood, managing director of DriveTech (UK), said: "Sainsbury's has recognised the importance of its colleagues driving responsibly and ensuring its vehicles are well-presented.

"Too many companies forget the corporate responsibility they owe to the public in terms of managing their fleet and drivers, who are very much its public face."

Additional occupational road risk management measures are in the pipeline including interviewing and risk assessing all new drivers and further training being provided in vehicle checking and vehicle and driver security.

Apart from working with Sainsbury's Online drivers, DriveTech (UK) also supplies driver assessment and training to the company's car drivers, including directors' personal assistants.

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