One million miles free of accidents!
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A safety campaign driven by the managing director at Chamberlain Doors has given the firm’s fleet accident-free driving for one million miles...
Managing director Karen Diggle leads a wide-ranging commitment to work-related road safety at the company, and although the fleet only numbers 40 vehicles, she has recognised the importance fleet safety plays in keeping business costs down and efficiency high.
It is that recognition coupled with the range of safe driving initiatives in operation that has resulted in Chamberlain Doors becoming a ‘business champion’ under the Government’s ‘Driving for Better Business’ programme.
The specialist distributor and installer of garage doors is the UK’s largest independent garage door specialist, with its main head office and warehousing complex in Bolton. The installation facility is operated from the same site in Bolton and from two satellite depots in Leicester and Coatbridge.
Karen Diggle leads a wide-ranging commitment to road safety
Typical
With 78 staff, it is typical of many small to medium enterprises and its fleet comprises vehicles ranging from 7.5-tonne cargo delivery vehicles through to 3.5-tonne specialist box vehicles, light commercial vehicles and cars.
Approximately 45 members of staff are involved in some form of driving activity during their working week. This commitment may vary between a full-time role as a driver and driving for ad-hoc purposes, but all employees are covered by the driving policy. Each year, drivers collectively travel about 1.1 million miles.
The firm’s fleet policy ensures that all vehicles are regularly inspected, employees’ driving licences are checked and the safety of every driver is evaluated.
There is a driver induction programme to drill home the importance that the company attaches to safety and all drivers receive a handbook with advice and information on road safety and fleet policy. The handbook includes information about driving hours, with a requirement that drivers stop and rest every two hours, in line with Government guidelines.
Reflecting growing concerns about the issues surrounding grey fleets, the firm now bans the use of privately-owned vehicles on business under any circumstances.
To constantly monitor how the fleet is performing, a series of key performance indicators are used. These cover drivers’ hours, mileages, fuel economy, crashes, accidental damage and incidents, hazard notifications and complaints.
Reports are also collated on full monthly vehicle checks along with vehicle repair and maintenance costs.
Ms Diggle said: “The policy was originally developed in support of the company’s safety culture and reflects the Chamberlain Doors ethos of a ‘top to bottom’ commitment to health and safety. We are proud of the standards by which we operate.”
Zero
At the time of writing, the fleet, which is a mix of outright purchase and leased vehicles, has had zero accidents so far this year - approaching one million miles of accident-free driving. In addition, claims for damage on returned contract hire vehicles are down 80%
And although the firm has an extensive programme of checks and training, Chamberlain Doors intends to take this further with a new safety programme.
This includes vehicle familiarisation courses for drivers, which will be provided by local supplying vehicle dealerships. In addition, eyesight tests for drivers and advanced driver training will also be introduced. The company is also working to enhance driver defect reporting and defect resolution.
Ms Diggle added that she was keen to fulfil the company’s role as a ‘business champion’ by taking the safe fleet message to other firms, through industry and trade associations such as The Association of Garage Door Specialists.
She said: “This is to encourage increasing awareness of the importance of work-related road safety.”